Internships, Jobs and Opportunities

Internships offer students an opportunity to explore and gain experience in issue areas or professions of interest. Typically, Political Science students begin experimenting with internships in their junior year, once they have mastered coursework that makes them valuable to preferred employers. Using the knowledge and skills gained through classes in the Political Science major, the Public Policy minor, or the Prelaw minor, students carry out applied work to reinforce concepts learned in class, judge if the career direction is in their best interest after graduation, and build professional networks.

» See Available Internships

Recent internship placement of Political Science students include:

• The New Jersey Governor’s Office
• Office of the Mayor, City of Trenton
• Assembly/Senate Majority and Minority Offices
• Legislative District Offices
• The Brian Stack Internship in the New Jersey Governor’s Office
• Campus-to-Capitol Mentorship Program
• The Mid-Jersey Chamber of Commerce
• State Public Defenders Office
• Numerous legal offices
• Bloomberg LLC
• River Crossing Strategy Group
• Princeton Public Affairs Group
• Bank of America
• US Department of Justice (Washington Center)
• Fox News (Washington Center)

Political Science students can find internship listings below and through the Career Center. The Washington Center offers a wide variety of internships with important public- and private-sector organizations.

 

Internship Procedures

 

POL 399/Internship in Public Affairs

This course provides an opportunity for students to integrate theory with practical work experience in public affairs under the supervision of a field supervisor and a TCNJ faculty coordinator. Work settings include but are not limited to the Governor’s Office, legislative offices, state and local governmental agencies, lobbying firms, trade or union organizations, political campaigns and parties, and non-profit organizations. Working towards academic credit provides the best means of integrating in-class learning and internship employment, although some students may opt to complete an internship alone, without seeking academic credit.

The field supervisor is an important participant in the internship experience. At the end of the term, the field supervisor is expected to confirm the number of hours the student worked as an intern and complete an evaluation form assessing the student’s performance. The student will also complete an academic research project, under the supervision of the Faculty Coordinator, on a public policy and/or public administration topic related to the work of the internship.

Students gain academic credit for their internships by finding an appropriate position, enrolling in POL 399, and working with the Internship Faculty Coordinator (Dr. Sarah Chartock, chartock@tcnj.edu) to research and write a substantial paper on their issue area or job. Specific requirements for academic credit vary and are agreed to by the professor, student, and site supervisor at the beginning of the semester. Students enrolling in the course should have junior or senior status and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Students should normally be enrolled in the political science major or minor, the public policy analysis and management minor, or the law, philosophy, and politics minor, although on occasion the instructor of the internship may allow other students to enroll.

Candidates should find a suitable position that will offer a meaningful opportunity and provide roughly 135 hours of work for the semester (per 1 unit course). The Department mostly approves internships worth a full unit (four credit-hours) yet it may make other arrangements under special circumstances. Students may count no more than 3 units of internship toward a TCNJ degree. Unless the student qualifies for an academic overload, the full unit of POL 399 must be part of the 4.5 unit maximum enrollment load for the semester. If overload approval is needed, please wait to apply for your internship until you have completed the Overload Interest Form and received an email from the HSS Dean’s Office approving your overload.  Here is the link to the Overload Interest Form.

The following procedures maximize student enrichment from an internship taken for academic credit.

1. The Internship Proposal Form should be completed by the student and supervisor of the internship site before the student meets with the POL 399 Internship Coordinator. Students do not need to complete the Records & Registration Internship Enrollment form. Please enter a start date on your paperwork that is at least 1 week after you submit into the HSS proposal portal. YOUR INTERNSHIP HOURS CANNOT START UNTIL YOU RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM THE DEAN’S OFFICE.
2. The student meets with Dr. Sarah Chartock, Department Chair and Internship Faculty Coordinator (chartock@tcnj.edu) to discuss their proposal and obtain her signature on the proposal form before the Add/Drop deadline of the semester. (You will be uploading email evidence of approval by the Internship Faculty Coordinator instead of obtaining their signature. Please submit a screenshot or word document.)
3. Student uploads the documents on the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Internship Proposal System for approval by the Dean’s Office. You will receive an email from the Dean’s Office when your paperwork is submitted to Records & Registration.

Faculty Internship Coordinator: Professor Sarah Chartock, chartock@tcnj.edu

 

 

Available Internships

Internship Title	Description	Contact	Deadline
Katz and Angelozzi campaign for NJ Assembly in Legislative District 8 Internship	The campaign is looking for college students to intern with us. As listed on the flyer, interns will have the opportunity to: Support voter outreach through door knocking and phone banks, Train and recruit volunteers, Learn more about local NJ issues, Interact with the candidates, Make an impact on NJ politics.	Apply at this form. Contact Arianna Broudy, Field Organizer, Katz and Angelozzi Campaign for NJ Assembly for more information.	Until filled.
Law Office Of Kelly Anderson Smith Internship	We are seeking an Intern for our Criminal Law Office located at 1670 Whitehorse­ Hamilton Square Road, Suite 10 Lower, Hamilton, New Jersey. The individual should have knowledge of the basic operations ofan office, preferably law, and must be able to work independently. Computer skill sets are required. We are willing to coordinate with an Intern around school hours and our office operational needs. Our internship requires 10 (ten) hours per week. Courtroom appearances/observations under guidance of attorney will be available for motivated individuals. Interns will be afforded the opportunity to network and create critical contacts with Judges, Prosecutors and the Defense Bar from all over the State. Our Law Office offers a great experience to learn skills and knowledge regarding Criminal Law. You will gain experience on how to prepare and organize a file for trial, research case law for Appeals, and interact with clients from intake to testimony prep.	If interested, please send your cover letter and Resume to kas@kasforjustice.com or you may fax to 609-249-4902.	Until filled.
PAID Mercer County Election Board Worker	Are you a college student and registered voter in Mercer County, NJ? You can earn up to $300/day if you work the 2025 NJ primary and general elections this year. Visit Mercer County's website to learn more and apply.	Apply on Mercer County's website.	Until filled.
Middlesex County Democratic Organization (MCDO) internship	In this role, interns will have a hands-on, front row view of the democratic process, being able to aid in organizing party conventions, meetings, and elections. Interns will also get the opportunity to work on and with political campaigns, organize volunteers, and interface with the public. Interns are unpaid volunteers; however, the Intern Supervisor will gladly work with advisors and professors to grant academic credit where applicable.	Visit their website for more details.	Until filled.
Internship Opportunity in the Office of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman	The NJ District Office is located in Ewing. The hours are flexible to accommodate student's course schedules. Interns will be asked to assist with a variety of tasks that will help them gain better insights into the direct impact our Congressional office has on New Jersey's 12th Congressional District. Responsibilities will include: Answering phones and recording constituent concerns; Assisting with casework intake; Writing letters and assisting with outreach programs; Attending community projects. More information here.	To be considered, please send a resume, cover letter, and a brief writing sample to nj12intern@gmail.com. In the subject line, please include which program you are interested in (D.C. Policy, Press & Digital, New Jersey). If you are applying for the Press & Digital position, please include a one page sample of your digital portfolio as well.	The deadlines for applications are: Fall semester: August 1st Spring semester: December 1st Summer Semester: April 1st Rolling acceptance: The deadlines are provided as guidance for those who may be looking at specific semesters. However, we are always accepting applications and will continue to consider applicants as they apply, with the potential to accept interns mid-semester. To ensure that you are considered for the semester or time that you would prefer, please note your availability in your subject line. No drop by's please.
Office of Congressman Josh Gottheimer internship	The Office of Congressman Josh Gottheimer is accepting applications for interns for the spring 2026 semester in mid-fall 2025. The internship is conducted in-person at their Fair Lawn, NJ District office.	Interested applicants please have them apply through our website at https://gottheimer.house.gov/internships or they can email their resume, cover letter and three references to Ryne.Szott@mail.house.gov.	Until filled.
Brian Stack Memorial Internship	Paid internships offered through the Governor's Office of Constituent Relations. Applicants complete an application form and submit a resume and writing sample. You can apply even if you have applied in earlier semesters and were not selected.	Apply here. Contact Dr. Chartock with questions.	Three rounds of applications in the fall, spring and summer.
Isles, Inc. Internships	Founded in 1981, Isles, Inc. is a community development and environmental organization based in Trenton, New Jersey. With a mission to foster self-reliant families and healthy, sustainable communities, Isles develops cost effective, powerful ways to strengthen people and places in challenging urban settings. Internships are available during the summer and academic year in all areas of Isles' Work including: General Administration, Communications, Community Planning and Development, Research, Policy and Strategic Partnerships, Project Management, and Community Engagement.	To apply please visit the Isles internship website. Contact Tyquan Benton, Talent Coordinator. at Tbenton@isles.org for more information.	Until filled.
Princeton Public Affairs Group's (PPAG) Internships	Princeton Public Affairs Group offers a dynamic internship program in the Fall, Spring and Summer. Many higher education institutions offer students internship credits for the Fall and Spring semesters. PPAG will work with your class schedule in order to provide a valuable experience for both you and the firm. As an intern your responsibilities will be, but will not be limited to: attending state legislative committee meetings and voting sessions, assist in coalition building, conduct research projects, write articles for newsletters, and become involved in various ongoing projects.	For more information, please visit their website.	Until filled.
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Internships	The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to participate in an unpaid internship during their Fall or Spring semesters or during their Summer break. If accepted into the program, students will be assigned to one of the Division's Boards, supporting Units or Offices. This is a great opportunity for students to work with professionals in the field of Public Administration. Although this is an UNPAID internship program, it will still teach you a great deal and will be a great experience for any student who hopes to one day work in Public Administration. This particular division has many boards that can trigger any student's interests. This internship can earn you credit for school and will look great on your resume.	Click here for details and application information.	Fall Session (September to December): Application Deadline: July 11
Fund for Public Interest Summer Campaign Job Opportunities	Want to spend your summer building skills that will help you launch your career, while working on urgent issues you care about like protecting the environment and our public health, and making good money? The Fund for the Public Interest is seeking hard-working individuals with a passion for social change to fill citizen outreach and Field Manager positions across the country this summer. With offices in selected cities across the country this summer, we are hiring full-time staff, with leadership opportunities available, to work on issues like stopping plastic pollution and getting pesticides out of our food supply.	To apply online, visit: www.summerjobsthatmatter.org or call directly at (737) 301-1861. They are also hiring for career positions for college graduates. To apply online, visit www.fundjobs.org.	Until filled.
Stateside Affairs Public Relations & Digital Marketing Intern	Stateside Affairs is seeking qualified candidates for an internship opportunities. The intern will work directly with the diverse Stateside Affairs team across a wide variety of nonprofit and private sector clients. This position is currently unpaid but available for school credit. A small stipend may become available depending on travel and future funding decisions. We request a minimum commitment of 20 hours a week, with up to 40 hours a week available. Scheduling is flexible and some work can be done remotely.	For more information, visit their website. To Apply: Send an email explaining your background, experience and why you are interested in our internship position. Send your resume to Cristina@statesideaffairs.com along with your cover letter, resume, and writing/design samples.	Rolling basis.
NJPIRG internships and paid jobs	NJPIRG is a statewide student-run org started 50 years ago in 1972 to make social change. We work on issues like fighting climate change, protecting public health, fighting hunger, and promoting democracy. To turn out the votes, we are hiring part time jobs to work the polls and encourage their peers to cast their votes, and we’re also hiring students for full time paid leadership positions on campus.	Click this link to learn more.	Rolling basis
The Fund for the Public Interest paid Canvasser and Field Manager positions	The Fund for the Public Interest is a national non-profit organization that runs campaigns for America's leading environmental and social change organizations like Environment America and US PIRG. This summer we will be working with Environment New Jersey to protect the Ocean. Responsibilities: Help the directors launch the campaign and build a team of staff; Build membership and raise money for environmental and social change groups; Educate and engage citizens on pressing issues;-Recruit, train, and manage a team of staff in the office and in the field; Meet with directors each week to evaluate progress and provide input on hiring decisions, goals, and priorities. Apply HERE!	To apply online or learn more, visit: www.summerjobsthatmatter.org.	Until filled
Internship with Environment New Jersey	Intern with Environment New Jersey! We’re looking for students who care deeply about the environment and are ready to make a difference now. As an intern you’ll learn how to analyze environmental problems, push for smart solutions, and build the public support it takes to win. You’ll work side-by-side with one of our advocates, learning the ropes. And you'll attend briefings and trainings to learn even more about environmental issues and gain organizing skills.	Apply today here: https://jobs.environmentamerica.org/internship.html.	Until filled
New Jersey Republican State Committee Internship	The NJGOP is looking for dedicated and responsible interns with an interest in politics and campaigns to join our intern team. As an intern with the NJGOP you will: Explore every aspect of campaigning including communications, data analysis, political operations and fundraising; Assist staff with building and organizing major events and fundraisers around the state; Work with staff on comprehensive research projects; Gain a first-hand experience in New Jersey politics. Applicants must be 18 years old and registered to vote, possess a comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite, have strong organizational and interpersonal skills, demonstrate good judgement and attention to detail, and have the ability to work independently and with a team.	Visit the NJGOP website for details.	Until filled
FleishmannHillard Internships	FleishmanHillard is a global communications firm that specializes in public relations, public affairs, marketing communication, social media, and creative content. Their Graduate Development Program is a step above their internship program and is designed to help launch post-college professional careers. Occasionally, qualified undergraduates will be accepted in the the program, normally for summer internships.	If interested, please visit their website for more information.	Rolling Basis Summer Session: June-August Fall Session: September-January Spring Session: February-May