Want a career in North Carolina politics? That means you’ll probably first need an internship in North Carolina politics.
Many of today’s top legislative staffers and campaign managers started as interns. It’s a great way to get experience and your foot in the door. We’ve rounded up details on some of the top programs for college students.
Most internship application deadlines are in the winter or early spring for the summer of that calendar year. All of the programs are competitive.
Internships at the General Assembly
N.C. House internships
The North Carolina House of Representatives has a “limited number” of internships for each session. Work starts at the beginning of the session, which for odd-numbered years is in early January and in even-numbered years is generally in May.
Pay: Not disclosed
How to apply: Send a resume, cover letter and completed application to julie.lisella@ncleg.net.
Other legislative intern programs:
- N.C. State University School of Public and International Affairs legislative internship program (applications due in late October)
Internships with the State of North Carolina
Executive branch internships
The state government hires college students for a competitive program that places interns in most state agencies, from the Department of Justice to the Department of Commerce, and in fields ranging from communications to data science.
There are 111 different jobs, though some have multiple interns.
Compensation: Interns work 40 hours per week at $8.25 per hour.
How to apply: Go here for more info and a blank application. The application deadline is in mid-January for the following summer. Interviews are held in late February and early March, and placement decisions are made at the end of March.
The internship runs from May 20 to July 26.
Office of the State Treasurer internships
The state treasurer internship program runs from May to early August and places interns in the central office and the divisions — from the State Health Plan to the State and Local Government Finance Division.
Compensation: Interns are paid by the hour and expected to work at least 30 hours per week.
How to apply: Go here to get the application. Applications are due at the end of March.
Internships with state political parties
N.C . Republican Party internships
The NCGOP hires summer interns but does not provide much information about its program.
How to apply: Fill out the intern application here.
Internships with the N.C. Democratic Party
The state Democratic Party offers several “fellowship” programs throughout the year designed for entry-level candidates.
Organizing Fellowship
This intern focuses on organizing volunteers in counties across the state. The work schedule can be built around the intern’s schedule, but you’ll need to commit 20 hours per week. You get paid a stipend at the end of the fellowship.
Goodwin Fellowship
These positions are focused on “building the next generation of leaders” and diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. Interns are placed in positions in research, communications, political operations, digital, finance, and field operations. The same 20
Eva Clayton Fellowship
Eva Clayton was the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress from North Carolina. This 15-hour-per-week job begins in early February and lasts six months. The application is available here.
How to apply: Keep an eye on this page throughout the year for deadlines and instructions. Direct questions to team@ncdp.org.
Internships with North Carolina’s U.S. Senate delegation
Internships with U.S. Sen. Richard Burr
There are multiple internships in Sen. Burr’s Washington office, in one each in spring and fall, and three sessions in the summer. There are also internships in Winston-Salem and Wilmington.
How to apply: To qualify, you need to be a college student in North Carolina studying political science or government. More information and an application form are here. Summer internship applications are due in mid-March.
Internships with U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis
Sen. Tillis also offers summer internships, plus internships in the spring and fall. Interns answer constituent phone calls, write memos, conduct research, write to constituents and give tours of the Capitol.
How to apply: Complete the application form here. Deadlines for summer internships are March 1.
Internships with North Carolina’s U.S. House delegation
Each of North Carolina’s 13 U.S. House members is responsible for organizing their own intern program. Generally, each member will have summer, spring and fall internships and host interns in both Washington and their district office.
Summer internship applications are generally due between mid-February and mid-March, but double-check with the representative’s office you’re interested in working for.
You’ll need letters of recommendation to go along with each application.
Information below is in order of congressional district number.
Internships with U.S. Rep. G. K. Butterfield. Internships are available in Washington, Wilson and Durham. Butterfield’s office also has several special internship programs — a “digital internship” on the communications team and a partnership with the N.C. Central University School of Law. The deadline for the law school internship is in early May.
Internships with U.S. Rep. George Holding. Internships are available in Washington and Raleigh.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Walter Jones. Internships are available in Washington and Greenville. Fall internship applications are due July 15, spring applications are due November 9, and summer applications are due March 15.
Internships with U.S. Rep. David Price. Internships are available in Washington and Raleigh. Price’s office only offers six-month spring internships and two six-week summer internships.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx. Internships are unpaid and applications are accepted throughout the year. Positions are available in Washington, Clemmons and Boone.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Mark Walker. Internships are available in Washington and in Greensboro.
Internships with U.S. Rep. David Rouzer. Internships are available in Washington. A limited number of district office internships are available “upon request” in New Hanover, Brunswick or Johnson counties. The summer internship application deadline is in early April.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson. Internships are available in Washington, Concord, and Rockingham.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry. Internships are available in Washington, Gastonia and Hickory. Applications are accepted at any time of the year.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows. Internships are available in Washington and Henderson.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Alma Adams. Internships are available in Washington and Charlotte.
Internships with U.S. Rep. Ted Budd. Internships are available in Washington. The summer internship deadline is mid-February.
Cover photo by the North Carolina Judicial Branch via Facebook.