Cornell University

Internships

Searching for internships in the nonprofit or government sectors is very similar to searching in the private sector. For example, most positions are not advertised and personal referral is the single most effective method. Use the techniques described in the Cornell Career Services Career Guide under "Effective Job Search" and consider these points that are specific to public service:

  • Almost any internship in the private sector can also be found in the public sector—great variety!
  • There are nearly 200 related resources in the 103 Barnes Hall Career Library database on internships, careers, employers, and fellowship that can be located by key word.
  • Cornell Career Services holds a large Nonprofit & Government Career Fair in late February of each year. You might also want to attend the ILR Social Justice Career Fair or the nonprofit fairs in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.
  • Cornell offers several special academically oriented internship programs:
    CU Urban Semester Program - focus is on multicultural issues in urban affairs.
    CU Urban Scholars Program - NYC; public service; children.
    Cornell in Washington Program - Cornell credit with a public sector internship; especially good for public policy.
    Capital Semester Program - a semester of Cornell credit with a paid legislative internship in Albany.
    Cornell Abroad - can involve an internship in a field of your interest.

The following online resources should also help you in your research:

Click a link category to expand. | expand all

Government and Nonprofit
  • Action for Change

    Offers database of organizations run by students or focused on students with ways to become involved. It also contains general national organizations and initiatives.

  • Cornell Summer Program in Washington, DC

    The Summer in Washington, D.C. program, co-sponsored by the Cornell in Washington Program and the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, is open to undergraduates at any college or university who have completed at least the freshman year.

  • ECO Jobs

    Nonprofit and Government career information, internships, and job postings in the environmental field. Great variety.

  • Federal Agency Directory

    An extensive list of agencies and links maintained by the LSU Libraries.

  • Firstgov.gov

    A database of the nearly 88,000 local government employers in the U.S.—cities, counties and towns. Use it to identify offices and agencies that you would like to contact in fields such as health, finance, recreation, environment, science, arts, education, and much more.

  • Idealist.org

    Internship and job listings with nonprofit organizations; nonprofit career advice, and Idealist-sponsored nonprofit career fairs.

  • Illinois State Government Jobs and Internships

    Listings and applications for opportunities in the Illinois State Government.

  • Institute for Experiental Learning

    Washington, DC, and embassy/diplomatic internships for college credit.International Internship links.

  • KaiserEdu.org

    A database of internships and fellowships in health policy and related fields.

  • Making the Difference

    Describes federal jobs by career fields, including art, business, biology, education, international relations, law, public health, social science, and social work. Also, links to federal internships, explains how to apply for internships/jobs, and profiles federal workers.

  • Mel Watt's (D-NC) Federal Government Internship List

    Listing of internship opportunities available to undergraduate, graduate, and law students within the federal government.

  • National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)

    Contains career advice, links to internships, and links to additional resources including other associations and scholarships. A special feature is a searchable database of NASPAA member schools that offer the MPA and the MPP degree programs.

  • Online Intelligence Project

    CNN, National Trade Board, World Bank, FedWorld, and more; part of the Online Intelligence Project.

  • Partnership for Public Service

    The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.

  • Partnership for Public Service's Where the Jobs Are

    Their internship directory includes information on more than 200 federal internship programs and is searchable by agency, eligibility, and location.

  • ProWorld Service Corps

    Offers 2 to 48 week projects in Peru, Belize and Mexico. Projects are in health, the environment, and social and economic development.

  • Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)

    Programs and funding opportunities to support research.

  • Student Conservation Association (SCA)

    Internship, job, and volunteer opportunities as well as advice on careers in conservation.

  • StudentsJobs.gov

    Student gateway to U.S. government; extensive links to U.S. government internships and career development, fellowships and financial aid, community service.

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

    Research and public health internships in HHS, NIH and other federal agencies.

  • Visions in Action

    Visions in Action is an international development organization based in Washington, DC with field offices in Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Liberia. VIA implements its own development programs in the areas of food security, education, international exchange, and HIV/AIDS, while also providing volunteer programs for those looking for a long-term international experience in developing countries.