Internships in Washington State: Opportunities for Students and Graduates

Internships in Washington State offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, explore career paths, and contribute to the community. These internships span various fields, from government and public service to agriculture, research, and communications. This article explores the diverse internship landscape in Washington State, highlighting opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

Government Internships in Washington State

Washington State offers numerous internship opportunities within its government, providing students with a firsthand look at public service and the legislative process.

Washington State Legislature Internship Program

Each January, the Washington State Legislature welcomes approximately 70 students to serve as full-time legislative staff in Olympia. This non-partisan program offers interns the chance to work alongside influential leaders and policymakers, develop transferable skills, and learn about the legislative process through hands-on simulations. Interns are matched with legislators in the House of Representatives or the Senate based on their interests and political ideologies. Applications are typically accepted from September 1 through mid- or late October for internships running from January through April.

State Agency Internships

Various state agencies offer internships, providing students with the opportunity to gain work experience and knowledge of state government. These internships are typically non-permanent appointments and may be paid or unpaid. Agencies market these internships individually, and some opportunities may be posted on the careers.wa.gov site.

Congressional Internships

Members of Congress representing Washington State, such as Senator Murray and Representative Strickland, offer internships in their Washington, D.C., and district offices. These internships provide students with the chance to see the legislative process up close, learn about the federal government, and build ties to their communities.

Senator Murray's Office: Senator Murray's office offers paid legislative and communications internships in Washington, D.C., and constituent service internships in Seattle. Interns in these positions support the work of the Senator and her staff, gaining valuable experience in government and public service.

Representative Strickland's Office: The Washington state office of Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) offers unpaid and paid internships in D.C. District Interns answer phones, assist the constituent services team, attend virtual events, research projects, and aid our press team, Congresswoman, and district staff. Communications Interns assist the communications staff by compiling media clips, drafting social media posts, press releases, and blog posts, and creating digital content. This is in addition to answering phones, inputting casework inquiries, and aiding in office needs. Experience working in communications is a plus.

Representative Randall's Office: Congresswoman Randall offers paid internships in her D.C. and District Offices for motivated individuals to gain unique experience working for an elected official, see the legislative process up close, and support Washington’s 6th District. Interns will have the opportunity to expand skills in policy research, learn the art of legislative correspondence, gain experience in responding to various constituent phone calls and concerns, and assist the casework team, as well as other duties as assigned.

Application Requirements for Congressional Internships

Applicants for congressional internships typically need to submit the following materials:

Resume
Cover letter
Three references
Writing sample

The writing sample may be a general writing sample or a response to a specific prompt related to constituent services.

Read also: Unlock summer legal internships

Internships in Agriculture and Natural Resources

For students interested in agriculture and natural resources, Washington State offers a variety of internship opportunities through organizations like CAHNRS, AGI, and NRCS.

CAHNRS Internships

CAHNRS (College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences) Academic Programs, the Agricultural Research Center, and Extension have pooled funding resources to create opportunities for CAHNRS undergraduate students to have an immersion-based teaching, research, or extension internship experience.

AGI Internships

AGI (American Geosciences Institute) seeks outstanding geoscience students with a strong interest in federal science policy for a semester or summer internship. Interns gain a firsthand understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies.

NRCS Internships

NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) offers internships for high school students and degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students studying agricultural and natural resources-related fields such as plant pathology, agronomy, range science, soil science, forestry, ecology, botany, biology, and civil and agricultural engineering.

Understanding Data Privacy and Internships

When applying for internships, it's crucial to understand how your personal data is collected, processed, and used. Many organizations use online platforms and services to manage applications and communicate with potential interns. It is important to be aware of the privacy policies associated with these services.

Data Collection and Usage

Organizations may collect personal data directly from you when you visit their websites, attend events, or communicate with their personnel. They may also automatically collect data during your usage of their services and collect other personal data about you from other sources.

The types of personal data collected may include:

Contact information (e.g., name, email address, phone number)
Demographic information (e.g., age, gender)
Educational background (e.g., schools attended, degrees earned)
Work experience (e.g., previous employers, job titles)
Skills and qualifications
Biometric data (e.g., fingerprint or facial ID)
Geolocation data
Transaction and billing data

This data may be used to:

Provide you with the services you requested
Fulfill contractual responsibilities
Respond to your inquiries
Send you information about services and events that may interest you
Evaluate your qualifications for internships
Improve their services

Data Disclosure

Organizations may disclose your personal data to:

Their customers (e.g., your potential employer)
Service providers who provide services on their behalf
Partners for joint product and marketing opportunities
Third-party advertising providers for targeted advertising purposes
Sponsors of events or webinars you attend
Other parties where you provide your consent or post your personal data publicly
Another entity who acquires or may acquire their business

Data Security

Organizations take reasonable measures to protect your personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure.

Your Rights

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:

Access your personal information
Correct your personal information
Delete your personal information
Restrict the processing of your personal information
Object to the processing of your personal information
Opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information for targeted advertising purposes
Not be discriminated against for exercising your rights

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Organizations may use cookies and other tracking technologies to collect information about your device and your use of their services. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings.

Tips for Finding and Securing Internships in Washington State

Network: Attend career fairs, connect with professionals in your field, and reach out to alumni from your school who work in Washington State.
Tailor your resume and cover letter: Customize your application materials to match the specific requirements and interests of each internship.
Highlight relevant skills and experience: Emphasize the skills and experience that make you a strong candidate for the internship.
Prepare for interviews: Practice answering common interview questions and research the organization and the role.
Follow up: Send a thank-you note after the interview to reiterate your interest in the internship.

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