Updated October 2026
TL;DR
These opportunities span legislative service, federal agencies, city government, research, journalism, and civic participation. Formats include remote political reporting and in-person work in a senator’s office, with different responsibilities and age requirements. Across these internships, students may research public policy, write articles and briefings, support legislative offices and constituent services, organize community projects, and assist with election operations. Compensation also varies: State Department Pathways internships are paid, while Treasury internships are unpaid. Ladder Internships offers high school students an eight-week online startup internship program, with nonprofit organizations among its available fields.
This list is for high school students curious about how laws, public agencies, and civic organizations work. It covers legislative service, policy research, political journalism, and community participation through several different kinds of experience. The U.S. Treasury, for example, explicitly includes high school students in internships offering exposure to federal careers.
If you are looking for more such internships, you can check out Ladder’s guides to public policy internships and local government internships. They provide related reading if you are exploring these interests before college!
Why should you do a political science internship?
A political science internship can help you understand how politics and government work in practice beyond classroom discussions. Seeing public service in action can give you a clearer sense of whether you enjoy policy questions, organizational work, or community engagement. Working with colleagues can also strengthen collaboration and time management, helping you contribute reliably to shared projects.
What skills can you pick up in political science internships?
You can practice researching policy issues and communicating findings clearly, connecting evidence to an explanation that others can use. Working with colleagues can also strengthen collaboration and time management, helping you contribute reliably when a project depends on several people’s work. Some experiences also involve revising written work after feedback, giving you practice refining an argument.
How do you choose the right option?
Consider multiple factors before you apply. These include your grade level, location, academic background, schedule, and budget. You should also check requirements related to citizenship, residency, coursework, or GPA, as these can vary a lot!
Here’s a blog on how you can choose the right internship!
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Legislative service and constituent support |
U.S. Senate Page Program Washington State House Page Program Senator Adam Schiff’s Internship Program Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Internships |
Senate pages receive an annual salary basis of $38,547 |
Students interested in legislative operations and helping constituents |
|
Federal agencies and public administration |
Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program State Department Pathways Internships Education Department Student Volunteer Program |
State Department Pathways positions are paid |
Students exploring federal public service and agency operations |
|
Local government and community engagement |
Irvine City Council Summer Internship NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Salinas Bob Turner Scholar Intern Program |
Irvine pays $21/hour for its summer internship |
Students interested in city services, public policy, and community communication |
|
Civic participation and elections |
Mikva Challenge offers between $230 and $250 per election cycle |
Students interested in community organizing, voter engagement, and election operations. |
|
|
Virtual Programs |
Ladder Internships Foreign Policy Research Institute Internships Pasquines Internships USC Center for the Political Future High School Summer Internship Democracy Maine Youth Council Internship |
Ladder Internships are fee-based; financial aid is available |
Students drawn to international affairs, environmental policy, or political reporting |
1. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid on an annual salary basis of $38,547
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30 pages per session
Dates: Fall: September 7 – January 22; Spring: January 24 – June 4; Summer: Two sessions (June and July, typically 3-4 weeks each)
Application Deadline: Varies by individual Senator's office
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents having a Social Security number; must be juniors in high school who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment (for Spring or Fall session internship); must be rising juniors and rising seniors who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment for summer; students who are 18 years old may not be appointed (for Summer internships); have a 3.0 cumulative GPA; must provide a general health assessment completed by a licensed physician and a certification of immunization; must be covered by health insurance
Pages primarily deliver correspondence and legislative material within the Capitol and Senate office buildings, prepare the Chamber for Senate sessions, and work on the Senate floor, where they assist roll call votes, support senators and staff during debates, and carry bills and amendments to the desk. A senator must sponsor pages.
Who is it best for: Highly disciplined, academically strong students who can handle the rigorous demands of early-morning coursework combined with long hours assisting the legislative process.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 19%; 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Year-round in 8–12 week sessions during spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–12 weeks
Through the Ladder Internship Program, you will gain real-world start-up experience through an eight-week, fully remote placement. You can choose to explore diverse fields such as AI and machine learning, software engineering, finance, media and journalism, health tech, environmental science, consulting, and fashion. Throughout your internship, you will actively engage in hands-on activities like coding prototypes, analyzing data, developing market strategies, and presenting a final project. The program stands out for unique features like direct start-up matching, exclusive founder access, and full financial aid.
Who is it best for: Ambitious, self-motivated learners who want to build a tangible professional portfolio and experience startup culture without the logistical burdens of travel.
3. Internships at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Fall: September – December; Spring: February – May; Summer: June – August
Application Deadline: Fall: July (typically late July); Spring: November; Summer: March
Eligibility: High school students at all stages who are authorized to work in the U.S.
You will attend weekly foreign policy and career-focused seminars with guest speakers, have access to all of FPRI’s in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, and have the opportunity to work on a research paper to be considered for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner. You can apply to be a research intern, a special events/development intern, a communications intern, or an operations intern.
Who is it best for: Driven, highly capable students with a strong interest in international relations, public policy, and global affairs who want hands-on experience assisting think-tank scholars and conducting rigorous policy research.
4. Pasquines Internship
Location: Virtual/remote; organization headquartered in Washington, DC
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; no fixed cohort size; continuous intake
Dates: Year-round, with flexible weekly hours starting at two hours per week
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students nationwide with a passion for politics, public affairs, writing, or digital media
Depending on your role, you will research articles and subsequently write and edit them, support outreach and fundraising efforts, or assist with web development and graphic design projects. You'll learn about the impact of large-scale policy at the local level and work with other minds passionate about politics.
Who is it best for: Self-motivated high school students with a strong passion for political science, journalism, and public affairs who want hands-on experience writing about U.S. territories and government.
5. U.S. Department of the Treasury Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~45–50 students
Dates: Spring: January–May; Summer: May–August; Fall: September–December
Application Deadline: Spring: October; Summer: December; Fall: June
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution and maintain student eligibility and enrollment throughout the internship.
Internships at Treasury allow students to collect, analyze, and present policy data, conduct research, and summarize academic literature and news relevant to priority missions. You can choose to work in any one of the several offices that make up the Treasury Departmental Offices (headquarters).
Who is it best for: High-achieving, civic-minded students interested in economics, finance, or public policy who want hands-on experience and a behind-the-scenes look at how a cabinet-level federal agency operates.
6. Pathway Internship Programs at the U.S. Department of State
Location: Varies; positions are tied to specific USAJobs vacancy announcements, with many located at headquarters in Washington, D.C. or domestic field offices
Stipend: Paid hourly based on the federal GS-1 or GS-2 pay grade
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; no fixed cohort sizes
Dates: Year-round; internship duration depends on whether the student is hired under the temporary (ITEP) track or the continuous experience (IEP) track
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; at least 16 years of age by the closing date of the announcement; enrolled in high school at least half-time; have a cumulative GPA of 2.0; subject to random drug testing; and able to obtain a Secret or Top Secret security clearance
You gain firsthand experience in various aspects of foreign affairs, public policy, and international affairs by working as an intern at offices such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Structured Finance and Insurance, Office of the General Counsel, Environmental Protection Agency, and so on. This program offers two types of internships: the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP).
Who is it best for: Civic-minded, ambitious high school students who want paid, hands-on public service experience and are interested in building a direct pipeline to a long-term federal career.
7. House of Representatives House Page Internship | Washington State
Location: Capitol Campus, Olympia
Stipend: $67 per day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; hundreds of students participate annually
Dates: 1-week shifts running from January through April in odd-numbered years, and January through March in even-numbered years
Application Deadline: Up to 4 to 5 weeks before the end of the legislative session
Eligibility: Ages 14 to 16 (must not have reached 17th birthday)
You participate for one work week, assisting the House of Representatives with duties including serving on the chamber floor, making deliveries throughout campus, supporting member offices, and attending Page School. Page School supplements the hands-on learning experience with a classroom component geared toward understanding the legislative process.
Who is it best for: Students eager to observe the state legislative process firsthand and who can responsibly handle administrative duties in a professional, fast-paced government setting.
8. City of Irvine, California – City Council Summer Internship Program
Location: Irvine, California
Stipend: $21 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: High school students entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall; selection includes an examination and a background investigation
You name up to two Councilmembers you would like to work with while applying, perform research and analysis on a wide range of policy topics, prepare research materials and correspondence, and support Councilmembers on assigned projects. You attend City Council and commission meetings, observing agenda-setting, deliberation, and local legislative decision-making firsthand.
Who is it best for: Rising high school juniors and seniors drawn to political science, public policy, or local government, who write and research confidently, and want a paid, resume-grade first exposure to how an elected council actually operates.
If you live outside Irvine or just don’t want to commute every day, consider Ladder Internships that pair you with startups to work on real projects in a fully virtual format.
9. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program
Location: New York City
Stipend: $17 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Summer Term: June – August; Fall/Spring Term: Mid-October – April
Application Deadline: Summer Term: Typically late March; Fall/Spring Term: Typically late August
Eligibility: 16 years of age or older; New York City residents (applicable only to Fall/Spring Term internship, not Summer); have current working papers/employment certification at the time of application; enrolled in high school or accepted to an undergraduate degree program
You will collaborate with staff and work on a range of projects including conducting research, attending meetings, managing incoming inquiries, analyzing data, drafting briefings, staffing events, and more. Through the bi-weekly Speaker Series, you will also learn more about the inner workings of City government. Guest speakers include Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, Program Directors, and other senior staff. You will also develop a service project.
Who is it best for: Students passionate about public policy, local government, and community service who want hands-on experience developing administrative solutions for New York City.
10. Youth Council Internship at Democracy Maine
Location: Remote
Stipend: $900 per semester
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 3 to 4 high school interns per semester
Dates: Fall: October to January; Spring: February to May; Summer: June to August
Application Deadline: Fall: September 19; Spring: January 16; Summer: May 15
Eligibility: High school students in Maine; applicants 15 or younger must submit a State of Maine work permit to participate
This internship offers flexibility in what you focus on learning, but generally covers how state laws are passed in detail and supports building facilitation and organizing skills. Possible work includes hosting events to raise awareness and spark discussion on different issues, building a newsletter to communicate with past interns and Youth Council members, and creating PSAs (Public Service Announcements) for use in classrooms across the state.
Who is it best for: Maine high school students who are passionate about community organizing, expanding political equity, and crafting self-directed social justice projects.
11. Office of U.S. Senator Adam Schiff – Senator Adam Schiff’s Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.; Burbank, Fresno, San Diego, San Francisco, California
Stipend: Available to applicants eligible to receive pay from the federal government; amount not stated
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: Spring Session: January 12 – May 14; Summer Session I: May 25 – July 2; Summer Session II: July 6 – August 13
Application Deadline: Spring: October 9; Summer Sessions I and II: March 7
Eligibility: At least 18 years old by the internship start date
In this internship, you work inside a sitting U.S. Senator's office and see federal policymaking from the inside, which is applied political science rather than classroom theory. You answer constituent phone calls, process and research constituent correspondence, draft letters and memoranda, and welcome visitors or assist with tours. Washington, D.C. interns attend congressional hearings and briefings and observe the daily operations of the United States Senate firsthand. In the California offices, you learn how a Senate office helps constituents resolve problems with federal agencies and how legislative activity reaches communities. You build research, political writing, casework, and constituency-service skills, and work on staff projects alongside legislative and state staff.
Who is it best for: Seniors who will have turned 18 by the session start date and can commit to in-person work in Washington, D.C. or a California office, ideally those with California ties and a serious interest in legislative work.
12. Department of Education Student Internships – Student Volunteer Trainee Program
Location: Washington, D.C., regional offices, or virtual placements
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by office and session
Dates: Fall: September – December; Winter/Spring: January – May; Summer: May/June – July/August
Application Deadline: Fall: May 1 – July 31; Winter/Spring: September 1 – November 30; Summer: January 1 – March 31
Eligibility: At least 16 years of age; enrolled not less than half-time in an accredited educational institution
The Department works to tailor each intern’s experience to the interests and skills of the student against the needs of the Department Program Offices. ED offers internship opportunities in areas such as Human Resources Management, Education Policies, Data Analytics, Project Management, Training and Development, Grants Management, Communications, Information Technology, etc.
Who is it best for: Students interested in public policy, federal government work, and educational administration who want hands-on professional experience and can commit to an unpaid opportunity.
13. Internships at the Mikva Challenge - Student Judge Program
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Stipend: Between $230 and $250 per election cycle
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; 2,000+ high school students (across 50+ schools) per election cycle
Dates: Tied directly to election schedules (e.g., March Spring primaries, November general elections, and Local School Council elections)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the election, usually closing 1 to 2 months before Election Day
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who will be U.S. citizens by election time; in good academic standing
Through this program, you learn about the voting process and serve as election judges at polling places across the city each Election Day. You are paid for your training and Election Day work, and for elections that fall during a school day, you receive a full-day excused absence under Illinois law, as long as the day isn’t already a school holiday.
Who is it best for: High school juniors and seniors looking to get hands-on experience with the democratic process, serve their local communities, and take on the serious, fast-paced responsibilities of Election Day.
14. Internship at Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Office
Location: Baltimore, Rockville, MD
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 10–12 interns per year
Dates: Fall: September 1 – December 18; Spring: January 4 – May 14
Application Deadline: Fall: June 12; Spring: October 23
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors
You will assist with phone calls, supporting constituent casework, drafting correspondence to constituents and federal agencies, attending community events, meetings, and briefings, and drafting memos for staff and the Senator. Uniquely, this paid role lets you work on a highly collaborative team while making a tangible difference in the lives of everyday Marylanders.
Who is it best for: Maryland upper-level high school students who are eager to gain hands-on public service experience while learning how government operations directly impact local communities.
15. City of Salinas, with ICMA – Bob Turner Scholar Intern Program
Location: Salinas, California
Stipend: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 3 interns
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or graduating seniors attending a high school in Salinas; Live Scan background check required if selected
You are assigned a project tied to a City program or issue, build a community engagement plan, and deliver recommendations directly to the City Manager. You present your project in person to the Salinas City Council and deliver a virtual public service announcement to ICMA explaining local government and civic engagement to your peers. You also join biweekly national cohort calls and complete ICMA's Local Government 101 online certificate.
Who is it best for: Salinas high school juniors or graduating seniors who are comfortable interviewing staff, building a community engagement plan, and presenting recommendations to the City Council.
Can a political science internship help with your college applications?
Political science internships can expose you to policy research, legislative processes, constituent service, civic engagement, and government operations. These experiences can give you specific material to discuss when showing how your interest in politics or public policy developed through applied work. Depending on the placement, that evidence may come from research, writing, public-facing responsibilities, or project work.
How do you apply for a political science internship?
Start with the official eligibility rules and instructions, since application processes and deadlines vary. Prepare a résumé and a short explanation of your policy interests, and include transcripts, recommendations, and writing samples if the requirements call for them. Some opportunities also require your school's permission before you can participate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are these political science internships mostly research-based, or will I work directly with government and civic processes?
The list includes both research-focused work and direct exposure to government or civic processes. Depending on the opportunity, students may analyze policy, draft briefings or correspondence, attend government meetings, assist constituents, support legislative operations, or take part in election work.
2. Will I create my own political science project, or mainly support an existing team’s work?
Both models appear across the internships. Some opportunities include a research paper, service project, community engagement plan, or final presentation, while others center more on supporting ongoing research, office operations, correspondence, events, or public-service responsibilities.
3. Are these political science internships usually paid?
Compensation varies considerably, with the list including paid internships, unpaid opportunities, stipends, and fee-based programs. For students considering a fee-based remote option, Ladder Internships offers financial aid.
4. How much time do these internships usually require?
Commitments range from short one-week legislative placements to multi-week summer programs, semester-based roles, and flexible year-round internships. Some entries specify weekly commitments such as 10–20 hours or starting from just a few hours, while others follow legislative, academic, or election schedules.