This semester-long internship in Jefferson City, Mo., is open to all majors and prepares you for a wide variety of careers — not just politics.
- Receive a $2,500 stipend
- Earn up to 15 college credit hours
- All majors can apply
- Full-time internship/spring semester
The Missouri Government Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for junior and senior students at Truman to live in Jefferson City, Mo., while serving as an intern with a legislator, public official or state agency.
The program provides students an inside look at state government and the political process. The experience has special appeal for students anticipating careers in business, law, public relations, communication, government service, or public affairs, but is filled with opportunities for a variety of career fields.
Many former interns have gone on to serve as legislative directors, chiefs of staff, judicial clerks, policy analysts, lobbyists and public officials as a direct result of what they learned and the connections they made as interns.
The varying daily tasks throughout each office could include attending public hearings, completing legislative research, writing and editing published materials, constituent relations or assisting with basic office work.
Requirements
- 2.75 or higher GPA
- minimum of 60 semester hours of credit
- minimum of two semesters at Truman
Dates
Internship tentatively runs January through May
FAQ
Each intern is granted a $2,500 stipend to help defray the cost of living and working in Jefferson City for a semester. The University is able to provide this stipend thanks to the generosity of Truman alumni and friends who make gifts to the
Truman State University Foundation.Students wishing to participate in the program are required to have:
- 2.75 or higher GPA
- minimum of 60 semester hours of credit
- minimum of two semesters at Truman
No special coursework is required prior to the internship. Successful applicants will be of sound character and possess qualities that reflect positively upon themselves and the University.
Any interested student should apply in August or September. Applicants will be interviewed by a committee in October if they are selected to participate. Successful candidates are notified at the end of October.
STEP 1: Complete the first step of the application process by going to online application.
STEP 2: Once you have successfully completed the first step in your application process, within 24 hours you will be added to a Blackboard course “Missouri Government Internship” which will be used to manage the remaining materials and information for the program. You will be asked to answer a questionnaire about why you want to do the internship and you will need to upload the following information to Blackboard in order to complete your application:
- Your current resume. One page is preferred if possible.
- A 3-5 page writing sample from a Truman class. If your paper is longer than 5 pages, please rework the spacing to fit into 5 pages.
- A copy of your advising transcripts. You can get these via TruView. Access your Advising Transcript and in the Print menu under Destination select the option ‘Save as PDF’. Upload the saved PDF.
If you have questions, please email mogovinternship@truman.edu.
The goal of the intern assignment is to enhance the probability that each placement is a successful learning experience. Compatibility between the public official and intern is extremely important. Requests for interns specify the duties interns are to perform and the characteristics desired in an intern. Care is taken by the Missouri Government Internship Committee to consider student majors, political orientations, career goals, and student preferences when recommending intern placements.
Duties depend upon the needs of the public official to whom the intern is assigned. Typical duties include attending meetings and making reports, working with constituents, doing office and computer work, conducting research, writing speeches, editing printed materials, tracking and summarizing legislation, and being on call to help with special projects. Probably the most important expectations of the intern are loyalty to the public official and confidentiality. The intern is expected to act and conduct himself/herself in the best interest of the public official at all times. This means not only being helpful but anticipating what will be helpful. It also means keeping important information confidential.
The answer is no, but it is certainly helpful when interns share similar views on important issues. Party preference and issue positions will be considered as assignments are made. Any candidates for the Missouri Government Internship who will not be able to work exclusively and wholeheartedly for the public official and his/her goals should not accept the position.
The intern must be available full time for the legislative session and must enroll in POL 471, which can be taken for 3-12 credits and is graded pass/fail, as well as POL 472, which is 3 credits and is a traditionally graded course that meets each Monday morning. Remember, you may have to meet full-time enrollment status for financial aid and scholarships.
Scholarships and other financial aid approved for use while on campus can be continued during the time the student is an intern. Students should examine aid packages and scholarships to determine if they are limited to a specific number of semesters and what effect such limitations might have on finances available during the student’s final semesters. The
Financial Aid Office will be able to answer these questions. Interns may also experience additional expenses, the most common of which is housing.
Students need to discuss how to apply internship credits to their major with their academic advisor. Of course, all students may use the internship credits as free electives. Political science majors may apply POL 472 (3 credits) to the electives in the major, required support, or free electives. POL 471 (3-12 credits) may be applied to required support or free electives.
The Missouri Government Internship Program is a full-time internship for the duration of the semester. Interns live in Jefferson City for the entire semester and are expected to be involved with their assigned public official throughout that entire time frame. Vacations for the intern will be the vacations observed by the public official. All students are expected to remain through the end of the legislative session.
Work schedules are at the discretion of the public official. Expect to work every day, Monday through Friday, and to be on call at other times. Students will also be expected to attend a hearing each week as part of course requirements.
A weekly class meeting for POL 472 will be scheduled each Monday morning for all Missouri Government interns. Interns will be notified in advance of the class times. Class may be scheduled in the Capitol or at some other location convenient to interns and the supervising faculty member.
Students are responsible for their own housing while in Jefferson City. Often, several interns go together to rent an apartment to cut down on individual expenses. Housing is available near the Capitol, but it is more expensive. Help with prospective housing is available.
Interns are generally not permitted to take additional coursework beyond their internship credits from Truman or any other institution during the semester of the internship. The Missouri Government Internship is considered to be a full load, regardless of the number of credit hours to be received. Likewise, part-time employment is not permitted lest it interferes with the needs of the public official. Any exceptions would need to be made in advance of the internship.
Have questions?
Email mogovinternship@truman.edu or contact Candy Young, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, McClain Hall 216, cyoung@truman.edu, (660) 785-4650.