Federal Government Internships

White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Internship Program

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Washington, D.C., and its Western Regional Office in Seattle, WA, offers full-time internships during the spring, summer, and fall. Part-time applicants who can commit to at least 20 hours a week will be considered, although the Initiative prioritizes full-time applicants (32-40 hours a week).

The Initiative is responsible for the implementation of the President’s Executive Order 13515, dated October 14, 2009.  Its purpose is to develop, monitor, and coordinate executive branch efforts to improve the quality of life of AAPIs through increased participation in federal programs.  The Initiative is housed at the Department of Education but its scope is government-wide.

Interns at the Initiative are responsible for assisting the staff on a wide range of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues and priorities, including capacity-building, civil rights, data disaggregation, economic development, education, health, immigration, language access, and workforce diversity.  In addition, interns will help write policy memos and proposals, draft blogs, assist with communications and social media, coordinate and staff events, and conduct outreach to national and local AAPI organizations and leaders. WHIAAPI Seattle interns will focus primarily on expanding AAPI regional engagement efforts through effective outreach and event planning.

Applicants for intern positions must be undergraduates or graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time.  Ideally, the candidate will already be familiar with AAPI issues and have outstanding research, writing, communications, and computer skills.

How to Apply:*

If you are interested in applying, please send the following to whitehouseaapi@ed.gov:

• Dates that you are available for the internship
• Location preference of your internship (HQ: Washington, D.C.; or Western Regional Office: Seattle, WA)
• Resume
• A written statement that describes (1) an issue that affects the AAPI community on a national level, (2) a strategy that you would implement at the Initiative to address that issue, and (3) the organizations and/or federal agencies with whom you would collaborate and why. The statement should be no more than one page, single-spaced.

(*If not accepted to this program, your application may be passed onto other federal agencies for consideration.)

Deadlines:

• November 30 for Spring session (Jan-May)*
• March 8 for Summer session (May/June-Aug)
• July 19 for Fall session (Aug-Dec)

(*Spring session applications by students on a quarter system will be considered on a rolling basis.)

All applicants must be:

• At least 18 years of age
• Enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited academic institution
• Authorized to work in the United States

Note: If the applicant is not authorized to work in the United States, the applicant may still be eligible for an internship if (1) the applicant holds a valid student visa (F-1 or M-1), (2) the applicant is enrolled in school in the United States, and (3) the applicant’s school provides documentation that the internship is required for educational purposes.

All internship positions at the Initiative are unpaid.  The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

White House Internship Program

The White House Internship Program provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills. This hands-on program is designed to mentor and cultivate today’s young leaders, strengthen their understanding of the Executive Office and prepare them for future public service opportunities.  The White House Internship Program’s mission is to make the “People’s House” accessible to future leaders from around the nation.

Agency Internships

Please visit the links below to access internship opportunities across the federal government. For more internship/employment information for students and/or recent graduates, be sure to visit www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads.

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Corporation for National and Community Service
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Defense
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Justice
• Department of Labor
• Department of State
• Department of Transportation
• Department of the Treasury
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Federal Communications Commission
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Office of Management and Budget
• Social Security Administration
• United States Trade Representative

Office of Personnel Management Pathways Programs
The Pathways Programs offer clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal service. As a student or recent graduate, you can begin your career in the Federal government by choosing the path that best describes you and where you are in your academics:

Internship Program

The Internship Program replaces the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP). This Program is designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Students who successfully complete the program may be eligible for conversion to a permanent job in the civil service. Additional information about the Internship Program can be found at USAJOBS.

Recent Graduates Program

The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years after degree completion to apply). Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for 1 year (unless the training requirements of the position warrant a longer and more structured training program).

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program is a flagship leadership development program at the entry-level for advanced degree candidates. Created more than three decades ago, the Program attracts and selects from among the best candidates and is designed to develop a cadre of potential Federal Government leaders.