Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do I need prior political experience?

No! Successful interns come from all backgrounds and disciplines. Campaign or other political work does not make you more likely to be selected.

Do I need to be a political science major?

No! We welcome students in any major or discipline who are interested in learning about state government and public policy. 

Can I do the internship after I've graduated or as a graduate student?

No. All internships must be taken for undergraduate academic credit at a four-year university.

There are opportunities for graduate students with Senate Committee Services and the House of Representatives Office of Program Research. Check the Senate Committee Services jobs and House Office of Program Research fellowships and internships pages for more info.

Can I intern while attending community college?

You must be current student with junior or senior standing taking the internship for academic credit towards a 4-year degree. If you are enrolled in a 4-year degree program at a community college and have junior or senior standing, you may be eligible if you can receive credit for the internship. If you plan to transfer from community college into a 4-year bachelor's program, you are eligible for the internship once you have junior or senior standing at the 4-year school, and many interns take this path. Talk to your academic advisor about planning for an internship once you have transferred.

Can I intern before my junior year?

Interns must have junior or senior standing in credits by the time the internship begins in winter quarter or spring semester. We do not make any exceptions to this rule. However, if you have transfer credits from community college, Running Start, or other sources, you may have junior standing before your third year of college, and would be eligible to apply. Talk to your academic advisor to verify your class standing before applying.

Can my recommenders submit my letters before my application is complete?

No. Once your application has been submitted, references will receive an automated email containing a link to upload their recommendation. Applicants will not be penalized if references are not turned in by the application deadline. We do ask, however, that they be received prior to your interview.

Do my recommendations need to be submitted by the application deadline?

No. You will not be penalized if references are not turned in by the application deadline. We do ask, however, that they be turned in prior to your interview. The final deadline for references to be submitted is November 15th.

Does it help to get a letter of recommendation from my Senator or Representative?

If you are personally acquainted with a legislator, they are welcome to write one of your letters of recommendation. Recommendations from a legislator do not carry more weight than those from other sources in our application review process.

Is there a minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement?

No. We require your GPA and unofficial transcript to verify that you are in good academic standing and have junior or senior status, but there is no required minimum GPA to be eligible for the internship.

How many interns do you accept from each school?

It varies year to year and we do not have school quotas. We select the most qualified candidates who represent a range of skills, backgrounds, interests, and areas in Washington.

Do I have to be a United States citizen to do the internship?

No. You must be eligible to work in the United States to be paid. If not, you are able to participate on a voluntary basis.

Do I have to be a Washington resident to do the internship?

If you attend college in Washington, you do not need to be a Washington resident. Washington residents who attend college out of state are also eligible.

Can I interview remotely?

All interviews for the 2025 Legislative Internship Program will be done remotely.

Who is my required faculty sponsor?

Contact the individuals listed on the school policies page to discuss faculty sponsorship with your school. If your school is not listed, contact your career or internship office and your academic advisor to identify a faculty sponsor and make arrangements to receive credit before you apply.

When are internships available?

The Legislative Internship Program takes place while the Legislature is in regular session, beginning in early January and ending in mid-March (even-numbered years) or late April (odd-numbered years). 

How long is the internship?

In even-numbered years, the internship is 60 days (January through mid-March). In odd-numbered years, the internship is 105 days (January through April). We offer flexible opportunities during long sessions for students attending quarter-based schools. 

Can I serve as an intern in the summer?

No. Undergraduate internships are available only while the Legislature is in regular session (January-March in even-numbered years, January-April in odd-numbered years).

How many quarters is the internship?

In even-numbered years, the internship is one quarter (the 60-day session runs January through mid-March). In odd-numbered years, if you attend a quarter-based school, you may end your internships at the end of their winter quarter (the 105-day session runs January through April). However, some students stay beyond the winter quarter for the full 105 days. Contact your school for more information on your school's requirements.

How many semesters is the internship?

For semester system students, the internship concludes at the end of the legislative session, whether 60 days or 105 days. Contact your school for details.

How much credit do I get for the internship?

The amount and type of credit are up to each school. Check with the coordinators listed on our school policies page to discuss your credit arrangements.

Do I have to do the internship for school credit?

Yes.

Can I start after orientation since I already have January plans?

No. To do the internship you must be available for all of orientation. Orientation for the 2025 session will begin on January 7, 2025.

Do I have to write a paper for this internship?

Most schools require that you complete an academic assignment to receive credit for the internship. These often include a research and/or reflection paper on a policy topic. All assignments are determined and graded by the intern’s faculty sponsor. Talk to your school’s internship coordinator and your advisor for information about your required academic work. Interns are allowed to use state and legislative resources for academic assignments within certain guidelines. If your school requires an academic project, you should plan to consider it “homework” in addition to your internship work schedule. 

Will I have time to work on schoolwork during the internship?

The internship is a full-time, 40-hour work week commitment, which includes both office tasks and internship classes and activities. Do not count on having built-in time during the workday for academic assignments from your school (for internship credit or for other classes). Some interns occasionally can use down time in their offices to work on school assignments, but most students need to commit outside time to their academic work.

Can I take additional college classes while interning?

Interns cannot take any classes that meet during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). Some interns chose to take an online or evening class while doing the internship.  However, because the internship is a demanding, 40-hour-per-week commitment and usually involves additional homework for academic requirements from your school, we do not recommend you take outside classes unless you have strong time management skills. 

How much will I be paid?

Interns during the 2025 session will earn $2,400 per month. The stipend amount is subject to the availability of state funds and could change should the economic forecast dictate. 

Who will I work for?

In the Senate, most interns work with 1 or 2 senators' offices (some work for caucus staff serving in a policy or communications role). In the House, interns typically work with the offices of 2 to 4 representatives. Interns are directly supervised by the House or Senate Civic Education Directors and receive assignments from the legislative assistants from the offices they are placed with.

How do I know which party I will be placed with?

Interns are placed with offices based on various factors, including interests, personality, and political affiliation. To the best of our ability, we make placements where both the intern and the office will be comfortable. During your interview, please be honest so we can make an appropriate placement.​​​​​

Can I choose whether I intern for the House or Senate?

All applications are received and considered jointly by the House and Senate programs. We make hiring decisions for each chamber based on the needs of the offices and cannot guarantee you will be placed in one chamber or the other. All interns participate in the same program activities.

What will I do as an intern?

Specific projects and duties vary from office to office. As legislative staff members, interns are expected to perform the duties required to help their offices function smoothly. This includes some administrative tasks, like filing, data entry, and covering the front desk, as well as projects like conducting research, attending meetings, responding to constituents, and tracking legislation. We work closely with each office to ensure interns are given substantive work and learning opportunities as part of their experience here. See the internship syllabus page for more details about typical work assignments and the internship's academic components.

Will I be involved in political campaigning as an intern?

No. Washington has some of the country's strictest ethics laws prohibiting campaign activities in state facilities or on state time. During your work hours at the Legislature, you may not participate in any political campaigning, lobbying, or other inappropriate use of state time and resources. Some interns go on to work on campaigns based on connections they made during the internship, but all campaign-related conversations and activities must take place after hours and away from the capitol campus.

Will I be able to advocate for a cause I am passionate about during the internship?

No. Washington ethics laws prohibit legislative employees, including interns, from lobbying elected officials in any capacity (testifying before a committee, attending a rally, wearing or distributing material supporting or opposing a legislative proposal, asking or attempting to persuade a legislator to vote for or against something, among other activities). Because of the daily contact staff members have with legislators, they are not allowed to use their positions to influence legislation. However, the internship is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the policies and positions behind an issue, make connections with people who work in your area of interest, and gain an understanding of the legislative process, which can help you be a better advocate after the internship is over.

What are the academic components of the internship?

Interns are required to participate in the program's legislative trainings, presentations, and educational activities, which take place throughout session. Most schools require additional academic work, such as a research paper, book reviews, and/or participation in regular seminars with a faculty member during the internship. Contact your campus internship coordinator for your school's requirements.

How should I dress for the internship?

Interns, like full time staff and elected officials, are expected to dress professionally. For men, a suit jacket and tie are required to have access to the House and Senate chamber floor. Women should dress with equal professionalism. Jeans, tennis shoes, and casual clothing are not permitted. This does not mean, however, that interns are expected to buy an entire new wardrobe. Many interns get by with just one suit jacket or a few professional outfits.

Where will I live during the internship?

Interns are responsible for their own housing. Olympia has many temporary housing options available during session. The Legislature provides a list of available housing, and many interns choose to be on our roommate list and arrange to live with fellow interns. While finding reasonable accommodations is not usually a problem, you should seek housing as soon as possible after you are hired.

I don't have a car. Will this be a problem?

You do not need a vehicle to participate in the internship. Thurston County's Intercity Transit busses are free for all riders, and some interns arrange carpools.