If you are a student interested in government, policy, or political science, internships can be a great way to give you a head start on your career. These opportunities offer a foundation to develop a deep understanding of government systems, policy-making processes, and democratic institutions while still in secondary education. Unlike academic programs that focus solely on theory, internships place you directly into working environments where you engage with real policy challenges, legislative processes, and administrative operations. You will bridge theoretical learning with practical application, exploring advanced political concepts, constitutional law, and governance structures through hands-on experience.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 political science internships for high school students.
Why should you choose a political science internship?
In a political science internship, you will work alongside professionals in government agencies, legislative offices, and policy organizations, gaining invaluable insight into the daily realities of political careers. You get a backstage pass to the government, where the work is less about debating big theories and more about keeping the office running and connecting with the community. You typically handle the daily nuts and bolts, answering phones, logging concerns from residents, organizing files, or drafting social media posts. Through these tasks, you learn how to communicate professionally with constituents, understand how a political office actually functions day-to-day, and get a clear view of the hard work that goes into public service.
For more political science programs, you can view the blog here and here.
15 Political Science Internships for High School Students
1. U.S. Senate Page Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Approximately $38,547 annually (prorated for partial year service); housing cost is $1,290 per month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 30 page positions
Dates: Fall: September 1 – January 23; Spring: January 25 – June 5; Summer Session I: June 7–26; Summer Session II: July 12 – August 7
Application Deadline: Fall: May; Spring: September; Summer: February
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must be 16 or 17 years old on appointment date; U.S. citizens or permanent residents with Social Security number; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; students cannot be 18 years old; must provide health assessment and immunization certification; health insurance required
In this program, you will serve the United States Senate in one of the nation’s most prestigious civic institutions, working directly on the Senate floor during legislative sessions. Your responsibilities include delivering correspondence and legislative materials, preparing the chamber for sessions, and assisting during roll call votes. You will support senators and staff during debate, gaining expertise in parliamentary procedure, legislative drafting, and senatorial protocol. Each morning, you will attend classes at the Page School starting at 6:00 a.m., learning constitutional history, American government structures, and the legislative process. The program includes educational field trips and recreational activities, exposing you to Washington’s civic institutions and fostering peer relationships.
2. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) Internships
Location: Remote and in-person (Philadelphia, PA) options available
Stipend: Unpaid generally; some need-based stipends may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by department/role
Dates: Spring: February – April; Summer: June – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring: December; Fall: July; Summer: March
Eligibility: High school students authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you will engage with foundational concepts in international relations, foreign policy analysis, and geopolitical strategy within a research-focused environment. You gain exposure to scholarly research methodologies used in analyzing U.S. foreign policy, international security challenges, and diplomatic negotiations. You will work alongside experienced researchers and policy analysts, contributing to projects that examine American interests abroad. Depending on your assignment, you may assist with event coordination, research compilation, or policy analysis that informs the organization’s publications and programming. The organization’s focus on rigorous intellectual engagement means you will be exposed to cutting-edge debates within international affairs and geopolitical analysis.
3. U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C. and various U.S. offices; some positions at embassies and consulates worldwide
Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by grade level and position type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Spring: January – May; Summer: May – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: October; Summer: December; Fall: June
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen; at least 16 years old; enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution; maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA; subject to Secret or Top Secret security clearance; maintain student status throughout internship
This program enables you to work within various State Department bureaus or at U.S. embassies and consulates, giving exposure to foreign affairs, diplomacy, and the machinery of American international relations. Positions span policy bureaus, administrative offices, and regional desks, allowing you to specialize in areas like international economics, human rights, regional affairs, or consular services. You’ll handle real assignments, including policy research, data analysis, constituent correspondence, and administrative support for senior foreign service professionals. This experience will introduce you to the Foreign Service examination process, diplomatic career pathways, and the intersection of foreign policy with domestic politics.
4. USC Center for the Political Future High School Summer Internship
Location: Online
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 15–25 students
Dates: June 1 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: High school students (graduating seniors do not qualify); minimum 3.5 GPA; U.S. student or authorized work status
This program involves watching conference videos and completing assignments examining climate policy, clean energy transitions, and environmental justice frameworks. While not a traditional internship placement, this research-focused opportunity will develop your ability to synthesize political information, understand policy debates, and articulate analysis. You’ll work independently on assignments throughout the summer, with guidance from center staff, to build your analytical writing and research skills. The Climate Forward Conference focuses on a specific policy domain, providing a deep dive while exposing you to how academic and policy institutions organize major events.
5. U.S. Department of the Interior Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations throughout the United States
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by region and program type
Dates: School Year and the Summer (10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students 16 years or older; U.S. citizens; valid Social Security number; able to obtain a state work permit
In this program, you will engage in land conservation, natural resource management, and environmental protection through hands-on work with the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, or Bureau of Land Management. The Department offers two internship tracks: indefinite positions lasting at least one year and shorter-term “not-to-extend” positions, both featuring individualized development plans. Your work might involve ecological fieldwork, wildlife management assistance, cultural resource preservation, or land use policy analysis, depending on your placement. You will interact with conservation professionals and scientists who can mentor you in environmental careers and demonstrate how federal policy translates into on-the-ground conservation outcomes.
6. Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: $17/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~50 students/year
Dates: 6 weeks; typically June through August
Application Deadline: Late March/April
Eligibility: High school graduates between the ages of 16 and 22 by July 1; reside in Cook County (City of Chicago) or potentially Lake County, Illinois
The Mikva Challenge Summer Fellows Program enables you to serve as a fellow in the offices of city, county, state, and federal officials throughout Chicago, gaining direct experience in how government truly functions at multiple levels. Weekly educational workshops will complement your office placement, covering community building, goal-setting, workplace readiness, and leadership development specific to public sector careers. You’ll work alongside experienced government professionals, contributing meaningfully to ongoing projects in policy, constituent services, communications, or legislative affairs, and avoiding mere busywork. The program intentionally centers equity and addresses the effects of power and privilege, creating affirming spaces for young people from historically underrepresented communities.
7. NYC Office of the Mayor Internship Program
Location: New York City (multiple departments throughout city)
Stipend: $17/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by year
Dates: Summer: July 6 – August 28; Fall/Spring: October – April
Application Deadline: Summer: March 29; Fall/Spring: August 31
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years of age or older; have current working papers/employment certification at the time of application
In this program, you work across over 50 business units within the Mayor’s Office, contributing to initiatives spanning policy development, administrative operations, and constituent services. Your internship may involve conducting research, attending meetings, analyzing data, drafting briefings, and staffing events. You will support special projects that shape municipal policy, gaining direct exposure to how municipal government functions. All interns participate in a Speaker Series featuring Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and senior staff, providing insight into how policy priorities cascade through city agencies. You will tour City Hall and various municipal facilities, gaining perspective on the infrastructure and organizational systems that underpin urban governance.
8. North Carolina Senate Page Program
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina (State Capitol)
Stipend: $150/wk
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited positions available; rolling admissions until full
Dates: One-week sessions; multiple weeks available during legislative session (typically January through March)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; good academic standing; principal approval required if serving during school year; must be sponsored by North Carolina Senate member
In this program, you work directly on the North Carolina Senate Chamber floor, participating in the legislative process and observing how state governments function in real time. Pages assist members and staff during daily Senate sessions, attend committee meetings, deliver messages and materials, and perform clerical work. You will distribute legislative documents, gaining an insider perspective on how legislation moves through the legislative process. Your work occurs at the center of state lawmaking, giving you direct exposure to legislators, policy debates, committee dynamics, and parliamentary procedures. You will observe how diverse constituencies, competing interests, and political dynamics shape policy outcomes in real time.
9. Washington State House of Representatives Page Program
Location: Capitol Campus, Olympia, Washington
Stipend: $65 per day if serving in the House of Representatives and $67 per day if serving in the Senate
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically, limited spots
Dates: One week during the legislative session (January – April in odd-numbered years; January – March in even-numbered years)
Application Deadline: Applications close five weeks before end of legislative session (approximately February 9)
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–16; must be nominated by sponsoring legislator; proof of sponsorship required
In this program, you will assist during floor sessions, make deliveries throughout the Capitol Campus, and provide administrative support to representatives and their staff. You will attend Page School, a classroom component that complements hands-on learning with formal instruction in legislative procedure and government structure. You will gain direct exposure to how state representative democracy functions, experiencing legislative floor dynamics, committee operations, and the professional culture of elected government. Your week includes both substantive legislative work and structured civic education, ensuring you understand both the practical realities and democratic theory underlying state governance. The program credits community service hours, recognizing the civic value of your participation in the democratic process.
10. City of New Haven Internship Program
Location: New Haven, Connecticut (multiple city departments)
Stipend: $16.35–$17.10 per hour (rates vary based on high school year, freshmen to seniors)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive;
Dates: Summer and Academic Year sessions available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Minimum 16 years old; must be enrolled at accredited high school
The City of Haven Internship Program enables you to gain experience in municipal operations, administrative procedures, and how local government serves urban populations. Available placements span departments including Parks, Public Works, Human Services, Police, Fire, Library, and administrative offices, allowing you to select departments matching your civic interests. Your responsibilities vary by department but typically include administrative support, data entry, filing, research, event assistance, and project support. You will observe how local government prioritizes limited resources, responds to constituent needs, and implements policies affecting neighborhood communities. The paid structure recognizes your contributions while you gain valuable work experience and career exposure in the public sector.
11. City and County of San Francisco Project Pull
Location: San Francisco, California (multiple departments including Airport, City Attorney, Department of Elections, Public Utilities Commission, and others)
Stipend: $23/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; over 170 students
Dates: June 8 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year; live in San Francisco or attend high school in San Francisco; minimum 2.75 GPA from their most recently completed semester
Project Pull is an eight-week paid summer internship program offered by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, designed for high school students entering their junior or senior year. You’ll work 20 hours per week while gaining hands-on experience in public sector work. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to projects in fields such as public health, business administration, architecture, or engineering. This internship provides you with structured professional experience in municipal government while contributing to San Francisco’s public utilities operations. By the end, you will build skills in leadership, teamwork, and community service.
12. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Trenton, New Jersey (Mercer County Administration Building and multiple county departments)
Stipend: $17/hr
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically, large number of students placed
Dates: July 6 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Students ages 15–18; live in or attend school in Mercer County
In this internship, you will gain hands-on experience across county departments including administration, courts, human services, and public works. You will interact directly with county leaders, professionals, and officials across multiple departments, building networks and gaining insight into diverse public sector career pathways. Beyond departmental work, you will participate in weekly professional development workshops addressing career readiness, financial literacy, leadership skills, and communication. You will complete team-based learning projects and present findings to county officials, developing research, presentation, and analytical skills. The cohort model ensures peer support and community building alongside professional development.
13. CAIR-Chicago Internship Program
Location: Chicago, Illinois (remote and in-person options)
Stipend: None (except the Public Interest Law Initiative fellowship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 15 interns
Dates: Winter-Spring: January 1 – May 15; Summer: May 15 – August 31; Fall: September 1 – December 31
Application Deadline: Winter-Spring: December 1; Summer: April 15; Fall: August 1
Eligibility: High school students grades 9–12
The CAIR-Chicago internship specialties include Civil Rights Law, Communications, Videography/Photography, Graphic Design, Outreach, Government Affairs, Operations, and Human Resources. Your work may involve documenting religious discrimination incidents, researching relevant laws, creating digital content, or coordinating community outreach. You might also support legislative advocacy efforts, developing advocacy skills, legal research competencies, and communication capabilities. You will develop cultural competency and understand how marginalized communities experience government systems and public policy. The organization emphasizes skills development and may arrange academic credit or community service hour recognition.
14. Pasquines Internship
Location: Remote
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; no fixed cohorts
Dates: Flexible year-round opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students and college students
Pasquines internships offer students hands-on writing and reporting experiences in policy and politics with a focus on U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa. Here, you will gain insights into the governance and political challenges of territories that occupy a unique position within the broader U.S. framework. You will report on key regional issues and work with peers to examine the systemic and political factors affecting these territories. This is an opportunity to examine the link between policy, governance, and global affairs while gaining practical experience in media and advocacy.
15. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program
Location: One Hogan Place, New York, NY (Manhattan)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 30–35 students
Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Current juniors or seniors who reside in Manhattan
This internship is a rigorous, professionally minded immersion into the American criminal justice system. You rotate through different bureaus, such as Cybercrime or Alternatives, to Incarceration to understand how prosecutors make real-world decisions on safety and fairness. A standout feature of the program is the comprehensive “Mock Trial” series, where you are coached by actual Assistant District Attorneys to argue cases in a real courtroom setting. Beyond the legal mechanics, the curriculum covers intense policy workshops on police accountability, restorative justice, and ethics. By the end of the five weeks, you will have developed public speaking skills, a better understanding of public law, and a professional network.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like political science, public policy, international relations, political theory, or data-driven political analysis, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!