Click here to apply online for the 2008 Democrat Legislative Internship
Senate Democratic Internship
- The Senate Democrats hire many interns who are considered staff members of the caucus.
- Juniors, seniors or graduate students in good standing are encouraged to apply.
- Initial interviews take place at the Statehouse in room 401 in mid October.
- Announcements of the appointments are made in November.
- Interns are required to participate in an orientation session prior to their assignment in Indianapolis.
Legislative Interns
These Interns will be assigned to 1-2 senators assisting them in accomplishing their legislative work throughout session.
Specialty Interns
Several Interns will work with our media relations office, our fiscal and policy staff, and our staff attorneys.
For additional information contact:
Jason Tomcsi, Intern Director
200 W Washington St, Rm 401
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2785
Toll-free: 800.382.9497
Local: 317.232.9496
Email: jtomcsi@iga.state.in.us
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The Senate Democrat caucus offers spring-semester internships to college sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates. Applicants can be Indiana residents enrolled in higher-education institutions in or out of state, and out-of-state residents attending Indiana colleges or universities.
The 2008 Senate Internship begins in late December with orientation and lasts through March. General internships, as well as internships in the fields of media relations, law and finance are available.
DEADLINE TO APPLY IS OCTOBER 15
Legislative internships provide an opportunity for students to gain knowledge of the inner workings of state government by being a part of the process. Interns will thoroughly learn the legislative process, gaining an in-depth understanding of how laws are made in a hands-on environment.
Typical intern responsibilities include:
- Staffing committee hearings.
- Analyzing bill content at each step of the legislative process.
- Compiling and processing bill data.
- Researching past and pending legislation.
- Attending to constituent correspondence.
- Helping senators prepare for committee meetings and session days.
Each intern's responsibilities will depend on the legislators and staff with whom he or she works.
No specific major is required, but a successful candidate must enthusiastically want to learn about government and politics in the real world. Other necessary practical skills include:
- Excellent writing skills.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills.
- Basic computer skills.
- Public speaking skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Effective time management.
- Professional attitude.
Interns receive a stipend of $300 per week and the daily hours required of interns vary, but days sometimes are longer than the required seven hours. Academic credit for the internship is arranged between interns and their colleges. At the end of each year's legislative session, Verizon Communications offers a $3,000 scholarship to the outstanding interns from each of the four caucuses.
Additionally, both Senate Caucuses award a $1,000 scholarship from the Rick Gudal Public Service Scholarship Fund. Rick Gudal worked for the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus for 18 years and the scholarship celebrates Rick's public service legacy and love of education.
This program gives you the opportunity to create professional relationships that prepare you for future employment. A number of interns go on to work in state government and most interns develop close business relationships that last well beyond the term of the internship.
Appointments for interviews are made on a competitive basis, with attention given to the application, academic record, work-related experiences, and the value of the internship to the students. Submitted applications will be reviewed, and those applicants chosen for interviews will meet with Senate staff. Internships will be announced by early November.
Along with an application, candidates must submit a transcript, essay, writing sample and references.