Indiana Senate Democrats
Indiana Senate Democrats

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Internship Program2024-09-19T15:57:39-04:00

The Indiana Senate

Internship Program

Paid Stipend

Pre-tax stipend of $900 bi-weekly

Academic Credit

Academic credit for enrolled students

Scholarships

Multiple end of session opportunities

Overview

Paving the path to a successful future is the goal of the Senate Democratic Caucus and those who intern here are an integral part of that process. You can acquire hands-on experience in government and politics by assisting legislators and staff while expanding your knowledge of the Indiana General Assembly and participating in the behind-the-scenes of the legislative process. Interns are assigned to work with the communications office, legislative staff, attorney’s office, or the policy or fiscal policy staff based on each of their interests and individual backgrounds.

Applicants must be:

  • Residents of Indiana currently enrolled in higher-education or have already graduated from institutions both in or out-of-state OR out-of-state students who are currently attending an Indiana college or university.

  • College sophomore, junior, senior, graduate student or recent college graduates of an Indiana college or university.

  • Available to work a full day, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:45pm with late nights.

Applicants Should Note:

  • No specific major is required, but a successful candidate must want to learn about government and politics in a real-world setting. Each intern’s responsibilities will depend on the legislators and staff with whom he or she is assigned.

  • Some days may require late nights due to the legislative sessions lasting past 4:45 p.m.

  • Overtime compensation and remote work are not offered as a part of the internship program.
  • Interns will have the exclusive opportunity to work directly with the Democratic State Senators and staff when session is in progress—it is not advised to schedule classes or travel time to an evening class during your work hours.
  • Course credit for students may be available through the Indiana General Assembly. Please make sure to check ahead of time with your advisor!
  • Due to this internship being partisan, applicants may apply with either the Senate Democrats OR Senate Republicans, but not both.
  • The internship begins every year during the final week of December (or) the first week of January and concludes in the middle of March during a non-Budget Session or the beginning of April during a budget Session.

Academic Credit

Most, if not all interns, currently enrolled in school can receive academic credit for their participation in the internship. Academic credit depends on individual schools and departments. The total amount of academic credit is to be arranged between individual interns and their institution.

Scholarships

At the end of each legislative session, Verizon Communications offers a $3,000 scholarship to the top intern from each of the four caucuses. Additionally, the Senate Democrats award the $1,000 Rick Gudal Scholarship to the caucus intern who best exemplifies the public service legacy and love of education of former Senate Democratic staffer Rick Gudal.

Application Process

All positions are filled by applying to the program in one email to the Intern Director. Interns are assigned to positions that best match their skill-set, background, formal training, and overall qualifications for the program. Appointments for interviews are made on a competitive basis, with attention given to the intern’s online application, academic record, work-related experience, and other skills that individuals may bring to the Indiana Senate. Positions are detailed below.

Applications for the internship are due by October 31.

Submit your application only when you have all required materials. Other options for submission are available and can be obtained by contacting the Intern Director.

Additional Required Application items:

  • Résumé (that includes community service, volunteer efforts, and/or participation)

  • A copy of your college or university transcript, official copies are preferred, but not required

  • Two recent academic writing samples

  • A minimum of two letters of recommendation from employers, school faculty members, or upstanding members of the community

  • Complete the online web form

Intern Roles and Duties

Interns Assigned to the Member Services Division are typically paired with one or two legislators and a full-time staff person.

Typical intern responsibilities include:

  • Staffing committee hearings and meetings with legislators and staff
  • Analyzing bill content at each step of the legislative process
  • Researching past and pending legislation
  • Attending to constituent correspondence, inquiries, and requests for assistance
  • Assisting senators daily as they prepare for committees and legislative session

Other specialized intern assignments include working directly with the attorney, the policy director, and the fiscal analyst for the caucus. These interns are also assigned to work with legislators as well as other members of the caucus staff.

  • Working closely with Minority attorneys and staff
  • Tracking legislative amendments
  • Aid in the drafting and facilitation of Senate Resolutions
  • Analyzing and using the Indiana Code

Essential Functions:

  1. Assist with data collection and analysis, literature review, and other projects as needed.
  2. Staffing the budget process, fiscal committees.
  3. Responding to legislator inquiries about tax, fiscal, and budget matters.
  4. Tracking changes in budget and fiscal issues throughout the legislative session.
  5. Time sensitivity and short turnaround time during the swiftly moving legislative process

Required Skills/Abilities:

  1. Willingness to learn
  2. Strong attention to detail and an interest in performing complex analyses
  3. Proficiency in Excel
  4. Familiarity with or ability to learn Microsoft Power BI to assist with data visualization
  5. Ability to write and summarize fiscal and policy documents and legislation for state legislators’ use
  6. Familiarity with SQL and R programming languages is a plus

Education/Experience:

  1. Currently enrolled in a Batchelor’s or Master’s program in Economics, Public Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related course of study.

Essential Functions:

  1. Assist with data collection and analysis, literature review, and other projects as needed.
  2. Drafting memos and speaking points.
  3. Managing fellow interns throughout the conference committee process.
  4. Attending weekly meetings with legislative staff, lobbyists, and members of state agencies.

Required Skills/Abilities:

  1. Willingness to learn.
  2. Strong attention to detail and an interest in performing complex analyses.
  3. Proficiency in Excel, Outlook, and cloud storage (Google Drive, Teams, etc.).
  4. Ability to write and summarize policy documents and legislation for state legislators’ use.

Education/Experience:

  1. Currently enrolled in a Batchelor’s or Master’s degree program in Economics, Public Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related course of study.

Communications Interns

The caucus employs a communications staff, which acts as an in-house public relations office for our members. Communications’ interns work directly with the caucus’ communications staff, members of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus, and reporters associated with the Statehouse Press Corps. Interns have the opportunity to build their portfolio, gain valuable professional experience, and network with decision-makers and professionals from the statewide media industry.

Assignments include but not limited to:

  • Capturing/Editing video & audio
  • Writing Press Releases
  • Organizing press conferences
  • Contributing to social media presence
  • Creating Graphics for media platforms

  • Capturing/Editing video & audio
  • Writing Press Releases
  • Organizing press conferences
  • Contributing to social media presence
  • Creating Graphics for media platforms

Frequently Asked Questions

Do interns receive academic credit for participating in the internship?2017-07-31T14:59:12-04:00

Most, if not all interns attending school are eligible for credit, while participating in the Senate’s internship program. Academic credit is awarded by individual institutions of higher education. It is up to each intern to work with their academic department, school, or college to determine the number of credits to be awarded, as well as requirements to obtaining the academic credit.

When should an applicant expect to know if they have been accepted into the program?2018-11-05T10:52:50-05:00

Interviews will take place at the Statehouse beginning in mid-October and will conclude in early November. Applicants should know if they have been accepted into the program by the second week of November.

What should my academic writing sample include?2020-10-06T10:52:12-04:00

The academic writing sample should demonstrate your ability to write, research, and articulate your thoughts on a given topic. This can be a memo you’ve done for a job, an academic research paper, or an essay for a class.

If an applicant applied for an internship in a previous year, can they apply again?2017-07-26T14:07:56-04:00

If an applicant has applied for an internship in the past, and was not selected, they may apply for the internship again. This applicant will need to resubmit all required materials.

How many interns will be hired for the upcoming legislative session?2020-07-08T11:23:06-04:00

The number of interns hired by the caucus varies each year. In 2019, there were 13 internship opportunities with the Indiana Senate Democrats.

What should my application essay entail?2017-07-26T14:08:18-04:00

The essay is comparable to a resume cover letter. This allows you to expand upon your interest in the internship opportunity, to expand upon your skills, as well as to set your application apart from other applicants.

Can an applicant apply for an internship with the House and Senate?2017-08-04T13:05:38-04:00

Yes. It is encouraged that applicants apply for internships in both the House and the Senate. However, applicants may only apply for internships with one political party.

What is the duration of the internship?2019-06-11T09:55:17-04:00

The Indiana State Senate internship is a full-time, paid position at the Indiana Statehouse during the spring semester. The program begins with a mandatory orientation in late December and concludes at the end of the legislative session, either in March(short session) or April(long session). Interns are typically kept a week after the session adjourns.

Will housing be provided?2017-08-04T14:06:04-04:00

No. Housing for interns is not provided to those selected to participate in the program. However, attempts are made to assist participants in finding a roommate(s) for the duration of their internship. The intern director will also provide a list of  short-term housing options that former interns have used in the past.

Do applicants have to submit an official academic transcript?2017-07-26T14:03:02-04:00

In an effort to reduce the financial burden on applicants, official transcripts are not required to complete an application.

When is the deadline to apply?2018-06-28T09:42:44-04:00

The deadline to apply for the Senate Democratic Caucus’ internship is October 31

Should an applicant submit required items all at once, or as they are prepared for submission?2024-04-11T15:12:43-04:00

Applicants need to submit all their documents in one email to the Intern Director after submitting their online form.

Letters of recommendation2020-10-06T10:51:08-04:00

Please have your recommender send you their letters so you can submit your packet in one email.

Also, you must provide said recommender information (Phone and Email) for follow-up and validation.

Items may be submitted to the email address below:

[email protected];

Adam Jones
Senate Democratic Intern Director
200 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2785
Are summer internships offered by the Indiana Senate?2019-06-11T09:47:23-04:00

No. The Indiana General Assembly is a part-time legislature, and interns are hired during the legislative session only.

What academic majors are accepted?2017-07-26T13:11:20-04:00

No specific major is required, but a successful candidate must enthusiastically want to learn about government and politics in the real world.

Can recent graduates apply for the internship?2017-08-04T13:14:09-04:00

Yes, as long as the applicant is a resident of Indiana.

Is the internship open to students outside of Indiana?2017-07-26T12:55:27-04:00

The Senate Democratic Caucus’ internship program is open to any residents of Indiana, attending an institution of higher education as a sophomore, junior, senior, pursuing a post-graduate degree, or a recent graduate.

Ready to Apply?

Being given responsibility for important work was the highlight of the internship.

Jacob Wenthe, 2021 Communications Intern

This internship gives an in-depth, hands-on experience of the state’s legislative process.

Alexandria Workman, 2022 Policy Intern

Working at the Statehouse allowed me to learn new professional skills and meet new people.

Amari Thompson, 2021 Legislative Intern

The internship was a professional opportunity that I took full advantage of.

Diarra Davis, 2021 Legislative Intern

Contact

For more information, contact our Intern Director.

Adam Jones
Senate Democratic Intern Director
200 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2785

 
Toll-free: 800.382.9497
Local: 317.232.9427
Fax: 317.234.9202
Email: [email protected]
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