The Policy Internship program strives to develop the next generation of women leaders in public policy and in the nonprofit sector. Interns are responsible for assisting WCPI staff in our legislative, programmatic, and administrative work. Such work includes publishing our Weekly Legislative Update and assisting with our congressional briefings and other events on Capitol Hill. Students who complete the internship will have a better understanding of policy issues important to women and girls and the operations of a nonprofit organization. The Summer 2024 applications are now closed. Please check back in May 2024 to apply for our Fall 2024 Policy Internship.
Qualifications
Successful interns have a demonstrated interest in women’s issues, excellent written and oral communication skills, careful attention to detail, and can work independently and as part of a team. They are proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite; while not required, previous experience with social media platforms is a plus.
This paid internship is open to current undergraduate students of all disciplines/majors, and those who have graduated within the past 6 months. Interns are expected to work 30-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday; accommodations can be made for student’s class schedules.
The internships will be hybrid, with in-person work in our office and on Capitol Hill combined with some remote work. Applicants must be able to work from the DC area for the duration of their internship.
Please note that interns will not be housed by WCPI and will be paid the $17 per hour D.C. minimum wage. Also, please ensure you will be able to live in the DC Metro area (D.C. proper, Northern Virginia, or Maryland) and that the pay will be sufficient before possibly agreeing to an interview.
Students who currently are enrolled in a graduate program are strongly encouraged to apply instead to our fellowship program. Please see the fellowship page for more information.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief statement answering the following:
Our mission to bring together a community of bipartisan women policymakers and trusted partners to advance issues of importance to women, develop the next generation of women leaders, and foster a more effective and representative democracy sets us apart from other advocacy organizations. In 500 words or less, please explain why you are interested in interning at WCPI, specifically, and why our mission and programs are important to you.
The deadline for each application cycle is 11:59 p.m. Eastern (no exceptions). The deadlines are as follows:
- Fall internship application cycle: Opens May 3 – June 19
- Winter/Spring internship application cycle: Opens September 15- November 1
- Summer internship application cycle: Opens December 16 – February 1
Due to the number of applications we receive, we will not contact individual applicants regarding the status of their applications. We will contact you after the deadline if, and only if, we decide to move forward with your application.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Internship responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Writing and publishing WCPI’s Weekly Legislative Update;
- Tracking congressional legislation important to women each week;
- Assisting with preparation for congressional briefings and events;
- Providing general administrative support to WCPI staff;
- Updating the database of potential donors and congressional contacts;
- Performing other tasks as assigned.