Internships

We strongly encourage you to enroll in an internship during your time at NIU. We offer paid and unpaid internships, and you can get academic credit for your participation. Internships have many benefits, including opportunities to:

  • Apply classroom knowledge in a professional environment.
  • Experience different workplaces and careers.
  • Develop skills and build your resume.
  • Make connections that could lead to a permanent position.

Internship Opportunities

In addition to the Washington D.C. Summer Congressional Internship Program, we support internships with FTI Consulting and the Washington Center. We also sponsor internships with several offices on campus, including:

You may also wish to explore off-campus internships with:

  • Congressional and state legislative offices.
  • Local, state and federal government offices.
  • State's attorney and public defender offices.
  • Political campaigns for national, state and local offices.
  • Nonprofit organizations.
  • Public interest law firms.
  • Interest groups.

Recruitment

Internship recruitment takes place the semester before the internship occurs. Recruitment for fall and summer internships begins in February, and recruitment for spring internships begins in October. Opportunities may still be available if you miss recruitment, but there is no guarantee. Be sure to plan ahead.

Academic Credit

In order to receive academic credit for your internship, you must enroll in POLS 490: Internship in Political Science. You'll need to fill out and submit the internship form (PDF). Download a sample POLS 490 syllabus (PDF).

You must complete 130 hours a semester at your internship (approximately 10 hours a week during the fall and/or spring semester).

Contact

For more information on internships and career opportunities, contact Professor A. Clark at aclark9@niu.edu or 815-753-7055. You can also follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Contact Us

Department of Political Science
Zulauf Hall 415
815-753-1011
815-753-6302 (fax)

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. - noon
1 - 4:30 p.m.

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