Support on resumes, cover letters, career exploration
SBS Career Advising knows that professional development doesn’t start when you need a job. It starts now. That doesn’t mean you need to know the career you want after college. It means you should seek opportunities to develop skills that will serve you well in any career (like public speaking, writing, interpersonal, and analytic skills), explore what’s out there, connect with alumni, learn job search strategies, build experience by asking for more responsibility or new projects at work, seek leadership positions in clubs or volunteer organizations, and lay the groundwork for internships.
- Exploring career fields that might fit best
- Searching for jobs and internships
- Preparing materials for application - resume and cover letters
- Practicing for interviews
- Negotiating your salary
Click here to make an appointment.
Find jobs and internships
After you have an understanding of how to write a cover letter and resume, you will want to explore these resources for job postings:
- Handshake - the primary database of undergraduate job and internship postings at UMass
- List of Public Policy-focused opportunities
- Public Policy Job and Internship Bulletin - graduate students are the target audience but some undergraduate options are featured
- Arts & Culture Internship and Job Postings - this list is maintained by the UMass Amherst Arts Extension Service
Gain experience through UMass-sponsored opportunities
UMass Women into Leadership
UMass Women into Leadership (UWiL) is a competitive leadership training and professional development program that prepares students from the state’s flagship, public university for public leadership. By introducing these students to current leaders and providing opportunities for them to see first-hand the benefits of public service, UWiL provides models and pathways into leadership – all while helping to address the gender gap in politics and creating a pipeline from public education into public service. UWiL fellowship applications are accepted from all class years, yearly August 1 through October 15.
Internships and Co-Ops in Boston
Finding an internship in Boston has never been easier. Available in spring and summer, students may use the UMass Mount Ida campus as a hub for internships and co-ops, working with the SBS Career Advising Team to secure a role of interest.
SBS in D.C.
SBS in DC is an exciting internship program that connects UMass Amherst College of Social & Behavioral Science majors with UMass alumni working in Washington DC. The program has proven to be a steppingstone for students interested in careers infields like policy, non-profits, international development, strategy, marketing, PR, government, campaign work and more. Program participants live together as a cohort in DC and are matched with host internship sites for a semester-long internship for either the fall or spring semester. Students also participate in a class related to their major, have professional development and networking opportunities with UMass Alumni and professional in their fields of interest. Alumni mentor students at internship sites all over DC. Students will earn 12-15 credits for the semester. Fall deadline - mid-January. Spring deadline - TBA
Community Scholars Program
The Community Scholars Program (CSP) is a two-year academic community engagement program that works in collaboration with community organizations and movements to advocate for a more just world. Working with groups throughout western Massachusetts and sometimes beyond, CSP students contribute to meaningful social change projects in response to critical challenges and explore possibilities for building a more equitable world. First year and second year students may apply. Applications open in February and close mid-March.
Gain Experience through State Government Internships
| Massachusetts Governor's Office - Various Roles | Paid: Yes, Location: various, Apply |
| We offer part-time internships during the fall and spring academic semesters, as well as the summer break. Position descriptions can be found here and include Office of Access and Opportunity, Executive Office of Administration & Finance, Boards & Commissions, Cabinet Relations (Research & Policy Internship and Strategic Planning Internship), Communications Office, Community Affairs, Constituent Services, Governor's Council, Information Technology, Judicial Nominating Commission, Legal Counsel, Legislative Affairs, Operations & Administration, Personnel, Washington D.C. Office of Federal-State Relations | Deadlines: Fall - mid-August, Spring: mid-Oct., Summer - mid-Feb. |
| Connecticut Office of Policy and Management | Paid: No, Location: Hartford (?), Apply |
| The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) functions as the Governor’s staff agency and plays a central role in state government, providing the information and analysis used to formulate public policy for the State and assisting State agencies and municipalities in implementing policy decisions on the Governor’s behalf. Interns learn about the inner workings of State Government and a variety of career fields. | Deadlines: Fall - July 1, Spring - March 1, Summer - March 1 |
| New Jersey Governor's Internship Programs | Paid: not disclosed, Location: , Apply |
| This program includes almost all state departments and agencies: Agriculture, Banking & Insurance, Children & Families, Community Affairs, Corrections, Education, Governor's Office, Health & Senior Services, Human Services, Labor & Workforce Development, Military & Veterans Affairs, Motor Vehicle Commission, Department of State, Lt. Governor, Transportation, and Treasury. Students have the option of selecting the department in which they are interested in doing an internship based on their area of study. The program is offered year-round. A minimum of 12 hours per week is required. | Deadlines: not disclosed |
| New York Leaders Student Intern Program | Paid: Yes, Location: various, Apply |
| The Student Intern Program welcomes applications from students attending undergraduate and graduate programs at colleges and universities throughout New York State, as well as New York State residents studying elsewhere. Each intern works in a particular area within a New York State executive branch agency or department, and has opportunities to: gain valuable experience, interact with government leaders and policymakers, perform rewarding and meaningful work, receive academic credit. | Deadlines: Rolling. Opens Fall - late April, Spring - late Sept., Summer - early Feb. |
| New York State Attorney General's Office | Paid: Yes, Location: various, Apply |
| Internships are posted on a rolling basis for positions across NY that focus on supporting everything from IT to communications to investigations at the AG's Office. | Deadlines - positions are posted for fall, spring and summer with rolling deadlines |
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Internships and Apprenticeships | Paid: Yes, Location: various, Apply |
| Internships are posted on a rolling basis for positions across PA that focus on supporting everything from the Department of Environmental Protection to Public School Employees' Retirement System to the Department of Transportation. | Deadlines - positions are posted for fall, spring and summer with rolling deadlines |
| State of North Carolina - Numerous Internships | Paid: Yes, Location: cities in NC, Apply |
| Interns, who must be NC residents, work 40 hours a week for a 10-week period. A number of agencies host interns each year, offering positions across the depth and width of NC. Interns participate in meetings, educational tours and other activities in addition to work projects with their agency. Projects and interns are screened and selected by the North Carolina Internship Council in a highly competitive process. | Deadline: Summer - early Jan. |
Explore the field through other annually offered internships and fellowships
| Opportunity | Details |
| Intern with Your State or U.S. Senator/Representative | Paid: Varies, Location: Varies, Application: Varies |
| Most state and U.S. senators and representatives have interns year round. Check the websites of your reps for application instructions. Email them if there aren't instructions. | Deadlines vary. Year round opportunities. |
| MA Representative Mindy Domb | Paid: Possible stipend, Location: Amherst, Boston, Apply |
| Interns will have the opportunity to work directly with Rep Domb and her team on key projects, constituent services, and district advocacy. Interns must have strong written and oral communication skills, excellent work ethic, a commitment to serving the residents of the 3rd Hampshire District. 5-15 hrs/wk | Rolling deadlines. Year round opportunities. Summer application review begins Feb. 1 |
| MA Senator Jo Comerford | Paid: unknown, Location: Amherst or Boston, Apply |
| Interns work on a variety of tasks including managing and tracking constituent contacts, researching legislation and constituent inquiries, drafting letters to state agencies and constituents, drafting social media communications, assisting with organizing events, tracking news and events in the Senator’s district, and more. 10 - 20 hrs/week | Deadlines: Fall - Aug 1, Spring - Dec. 1, Summer - Feb. 15 |
| U.S. Congressmen Jim McGovern | Paid: unknown, Location: Worcester, Northampton, Leominster, or D.C., Apply |
| Interns' responsibilities will vary. They will be asked to answer phones, run errands, research legislation, attend hearings and briefings, and answer constituent letters on various issues before the House of Representatives. In my district office, interns may be assigned to assist my staff as they help constituents resolve issues with government agencies. In my Washington office, they will be asked to conduct tours of the Capitol Building for groups visiting from Massachusetts. Flexible hours. | Deadlines: Fall - July 31, Spring - Nov 30, Summer - March 31 |
| Senator Elizabeth Warren | Paid: Paid, Location: D.C., Boston, or Springfield, Apply |
| A legislative internship in Senator Warren’s Washington DC office is designed to introduce you to almost every aspect of the office, including the legislative process, office administration, and constituent relations. Interns are not assigned full-time to a specific staff member, but rather will perform a variety of tasks. | Deadlines: Fall - TBA, Spring - TBA, Summer - early March |
| Senator Ed Markey | Paid: possible stipend, Location: D.C. or Boston, Apply |
| Internships vary from a Legislative Internship to a Communications Internship to participation in the U.S. Senate Youth Program as a Senate Page. | Deadlines: Fall - TBA , Spring - End of Oct, Summer - early March (rolling - apply early!) |
| The United States Senate Youth Program | Paid: Yes, includes room & board, Location: D.C., Apply |
| The Senate Page Program is a truly unique experience, in which Pages are afforded the opportunity to learn the nuts and bolts of Congress, engage with some of the nation’s most prominent leaders, and bear witness to Senatorial debates that shape the national discourse and direct policy for generations to come, all while continuing their coursework. | Deadlines: Fall - May 1 , Spring - Sept 1, Summer - Feb 1 |
| Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program | Paid: Yes, Location: D.C., remote, Apply |
| Offers students the opportunity to complete a paid 10 – 12-week summer internship at the Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, or General Services Administration while also learning through professional development sessions, networking, and orientation. A breadth of internship options including everything from public administration to public interest technology to data science. Open to sophomores and juniors. | Deadlines: Fall- TBA, Spring - mid-Oct, Summer - mid-Nov. |
| U.S. Department of State Remote Internship Program | Paid: Yes, Location: Remote, Apply |
| Offers remote, paid, part-time internships for students that offer an inside look at diplomacy in action, and the range of careers and responsibilities found in the Foreign Service and Civil Service. Students will gain valuable work experience that they can apply to virtually every endeavor — whether they work in government or the private sector. Most of all, students will feel good about doing something worthwhile for their nation. Open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Internships can be done in fall, spring, or summer and the application process begins about a year in advance. | Deadlines: Fall- March, Spring - Aug., Summer - Dec. |
| The Ignite Fellowship | Paid: Yes, Location: Remote, Apply |
| Join a national tutoring corps designed to accelerate learning and foster belonging with students. As an Ignite Fellow, you will lead small group virtual learning experiences with students with the support of veteran educators. This is a part-time opportunity to build meaningful relationships with youth, accelerate student success and gain skills that propel forward your own leadership. Fellows work approximately 5 hours per week during regular K-12 school hours and receive a $1200 (pre-tax) award at the conclusion of their fellowship term. | Deadlines: Fall - TBA (opens late Feb), Spring - TBA |
| The Roosevelt Institute Fellowships | Paid: Yes, Location: Remote, D.C, Apply |
| The Roosevelt Institute envisions a future where our economy and democracy work for the many, where politics and power are multiracial, and where, as FDR once said, “government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.” We invest in people—from undergraduate college students to experts qualified for federal appointments—and deploy them to shift paradigms and build toward this future. The Roosevelt Institute offers fellowship several different fellowship opportunities, ranging from remote internships for first and second year students to an in-person summer internship in D.C. for rising juniors or seniors to a year-long, part-time paid internship focused on policy writing for seniors. | Deadlines: early Dec. (opens late Oct.) |
| The Scoville Peace Fellowship | Paid: Yes, Location: D.C., Apply |
| The Scoville Peace Fellowship aims to bring the knowledge, perspective, and passion of a diverse group into the world of DC think tanks and advocacy groups to build expertise and resolve global conflicts. They provide six- to nine-month paid internships at nonprofit, public-interest organizations addressing peace and security issues. Applications are especially encouraged from candidates with a strong interest in these issues who have prior experience with public-interest activism or advocacy. Open to recent college and graduate school alumni. | Deadlines: Fall - Jan., Spring - Oct |
| Citizens' Climate Lobby | Paid: Yes, Location: mostly remote, Apply |
| Fellowships and internships with CCL are enriching learning experiences working with our expert staff and volunteer leaders. Multiple positions are available: Campus Organizing Intern, Chapter Development Intern, College Outreach Intern, Education and Engagement Intern, Resilience and Education Intern, Communications Intern, and Climate Advocacy Fellows. | Deadlines: Summer - mid-Feb. |
| The Washington Center's Funded Federal Diversity Internships | Paid: Yes, Location: D.C. or remote, Apply |
| The Washington Center (TWC) partners with multiple U.S. federal agencies to offer paid internship programs with the goal of increasing diversity in the federal workforce. These federal agencies recognize that diversity brings innovation and creativity to the workplace, encourages fresh perspectives that inspire new ideas and sparks positive change. As an intern with a federal agency, you will gain meaningful professional experience and build a valuable network of connections that could open the door to new opportunities in the future. The need is strong for bright, diverse talent at these agencies. All of the federal internships require that you are a U.S. citizen and enrolled in a degree-granting program, with a preference for a 3.0 or above GPA. There are opportunities for 15-week fall and spring internships and 10-week summer internships. Learn the details here. | Deadlines: Fall - varies , Spring - varies , Summer- varies (Jan/Feb) |
| City of Boston Summer Internship Program | Paid: Yes, Location: Boston, Apply |
| Internships provide hands-on work responsibilities in a variety of City departments. You’ll work on real projects, solve hard problems, and gain valuable feedback along the way. You must be a resident of the city of Boston. | Deadline: Summer - mid-March |
| The Brookings Institute | Paid: Yes, Location: hybrid in D.C. or remote, Apply |
| Internships are available in our five research programs (Governance Studies, Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, and Brookings Metro) and in our business units (e.g., communications, finance, human resources). | Deadline: Fall - June, Spring - Oct., Summer - mid-Feb. |
| OpenSecrets | Paid: Yes, Location: D.C., Apply |
| Here at OpenSecrets we track the money and other behind-the-scenes forces shaping the government policies that affect each of us every day. If you're looking for a challenging public-interest internship that will turn you into a detective in our nation's capital, send us your résumé. Focus on research, reporting, or IT. | Deadline: Fall - mid-July, Spring - mid-July, Summer - March 15 |
| Women’s Congressional Policy Institute Research | Paid: Yes, Location: hybrid in D.C. or remote, Apply |
| Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization whose mission is to bring together a community of bipartisan women policymakers and trusted partners to advance issues of importance to women, develop the next generation of women leaders, and foster a more effective and representative democracy. We host interns throughout the year. Communications/Development Interns and Policy Interns support WCPI’s programs, as well as its legislative and fundraising efforts. | Deadline: Fall - mid-June, Spring - early Nov., Summer - early Feb. |
| Pew Research Center Internship | Paid: Yes with relocation stipend, Location: hybrid in D.C., Apply |
| Whether a social scientist writing survey questionnaires, a designer visualizing complex findings or a survey methodologist ensuring our methods are the gold standard, everyone at the Center has a hand in our work. Our empirical research on a wide range of topics helps policymakers, civic leaders, educators and the public at large understand and address some of the world’s most challenging problems. Interns can expect substantial and challenging work. For example, an intern may learn or master statistical software, be a part of the research lifecycle, work on a report, or publish a blog post. | Deadline: Summer - late Jan. |
| National Women's Law Center Internship | Paid: Paid in summer, Location: remote, hybrid, or in-person in D.C., Apply |
| NWLC’s internship program provides students the opportunity to work on meaningful projects and to gain valuable hands-on experience. Internships are posted by specific departments at NWLC on a rolling basis. Students may intern remotely during the academic year and receive academic credit as well as a small stipend. | Deadline: Rolling deadlines. Check early and often for new positions. |
| Collective Power for Reproductive Justice Internship | Paid: Yes, Location: Various, remote, Apply |
| Collective Rising is a 10-week paid summer internship program that matches undergraduate students with a range of reproductive and social justice organizations across the country. Through their internships, students gain valuable experience while providing invaluable assistance to organizations. | Deadline: Summer - early Jan. |
| Bipartisan Policy Center | Paid: Yes, Location: Remote or hybrid (D.C.), Apply |
| Bipartisanship is the only way forward. At the Bipartisan Policy Center, we take views from both parties and come together to find solutions. Internship options include: Business & Technology, Communications, Development, Early Childhood Initiative, Economic Policy Project, Energy Program, Democracy Program, Government Relations, Health Program, Immigration and Workforce Project, Infrastructure/Housing Project. | Deadlines: Fall - TBA opens early June, Spring- TBA opens mid-September, Summer- March 1 |
| Center on Budget, Policies, & Priorities | Paid: Yes, Location: Remote or hybrid (D.C.), Apply |
| The Center seeks highly motivated students, as well as recent graduates, in the following areas for full-and occasionally part-time paid internships: Communications, Government Affairs, Health Policy, Housing Policy, Food Assistance, National Budget and Tax Policy, Outreach Campaigns, State Fiscal Policy, and Family Income Support. | Deadlines: Fall - TBA opens in summer, Spring - TBA opens in fall, Summer - early March |
| Foreign Relations Committee | Paid: Yes, Location: remote, hybrid, or in-person (D.C.), Apply |
| The Democratic Staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee seeks applicants for an internship. Interns will work with staff teams to provide research, track hearings and legislation, draft memos, and take notes at high-level meetings. | Deadlines: Fall - mid-June, Spring - mid-Oct., Summer - mid-Feb. |
| Mathematica | Paid: Yes, Location: hybrid (Cambridge, Princeton, Ann Arbor, Chicago, Okland, D.C.) or remote; Apply |
| Mathematica is dedicated to improving public well-being by bringing the highest standards of quality, objectivity, and excellence to bear on information collection and analysis for our partners and clients. The company has been at the forefront of assessing the effectiveness of policies and programs for more than four decades. During the internship, students are paired with a mentor and work closely with Mathematica staff while gaining hands-on experience with real-world projects. | Deadlines: Rolling (posted end of Jan or early Feb) |
Funding Your Internship | Earning Course Credit
While some internship positions are unpaid, generally, you can earn choose to work part-time, pairing the experience with a paid job. There is also scholarship funding available to current SBS students to help cover unpaid internships. Alternatively, you could intern during the semester for course credit by finding a faculty sponsor and completing academic components alongside your internship. The instructions for this process are here. Earning course credit is not recommended in the summer--unless you really need the credits for graduation--as you have to pay UMass for the credits you earn, which would likely be an unplanned expense.
Washington Center for Internships - Tuition support for MA residents
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminar provides experiential education opportunities to students of the Massachusetts public college and university system. The program uses the resources of the nation's capital to provide high-quality learning experiences to enhance student's academic, civic and professional development. The purpose of the Washington Center is to promote future leadership for the public, private and non-profit sectors of society. Internship placements include positions in government offices, communication organizations, law firms, trade and professional associations, human right groups and a variety of companies and other organizations. Internships are coupled with required academic courses. Details on tuition support can be found here.
Find a position for after graduation
In addition to jobs posted in Handshake, also check out these programs that recruit alumni.
Director's Financial Analyst at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
This two-year rotational fellowship sits at the intersection of the federal government and the financial services industry. Designed to engage recent college graduates in meaningful public service work, DFAs are given the opportunity to hone analytical and problem-solving skills while helping to ensure all households have access to markets for consumer financial products and services that are fair, transparent, and competitive. The rotations in different divisions across the CFPB are designed to provide exposure to the analysis, strategy, research, policy development, supervision, enforcement, and rulemaking activities taking place across the agency. This role is full-time and open to those who will have a bachelor's before the job begins in June. Applications are open in November and close before the end of the month.
