Kick-Starting a Public Service Career: Fellowship and Internship Opportunities in State and Local Government
By Flannery Amdahl, revised by CP&PD staff
Photo by Matt H. Wade on Wikipedia
Also check out our guide to building a career in the federal government.
Government jobs offer graduates the opportunity to conduct interesting, challenging, and important research on public policy (not to mention perks like relative job stability, health care and retirement benefits, fixed pay scales, and time off). Landing one of these jobs, however, can be tough.
While one way to find a job in New York State government is to search the StateJobsNY website for open positions, the opportunities listed below were specifically created to help students and recent graduates fast-track their careers.
Note: Some of the deadlines listed here have already passed, but the programs are generally offered annually. Check the program websites for updates.
Fellowship Programs
Empire State Fellows Program
- Fellows work closely with a particular policy-maker within the New York State executive branch.
- The program also has an educational component: fellows attend a week-long orientation session introducing them to New York State government and attend a two-hour class every other week during their first year in the program.
Basic eligibility: Minimum of three years of professional work experience; advanced degree preferred (any academic discipline). Candidates must be U.S. citizens.
Commitment: Full-time, two-year program beginning in September.
Location: Albany
Compensation: Fellows will receive an annual salary commensurate with experience, not to exceed $72,765, plus a benefits package.
Deadline: late April
New York State Senate Fellowship
Four types of fellowships are offered by the New York State Senate each year:
- Legislative Fellows Program (multiple fellowships awarded; fellows are placed in specific Senators’ offices, where they perform policy research, take part in meetings with various interest groups and constituents, and attend legislative sessions)
- Richard J. Roth Journalism Fellow (1 awarded; fellow is assigned to the Senate Majority Press Office)
- Wiebe Public Service Fellowship (1 awarded; fellows work in the Majority Counsel/Program Services Office)
- Biggane Fellowship in Finance (1 awarded; fellows are placed with the Senate Finance Committee)
Basic eligibility: In most cases, fellows must be full-time matriculated graduate students during the immediate previous spring and fall semesters.
Commitment: Full-time, one-year program beginning in September.
Location: Albany
Compensation: $33,000 grant-in-study stipend, plus benefits (health, dental, vision, life insurance, and the New York State retirement program).
Application deadline: late April
New York State Excelsior Service Fellowship Program
Fellows work full-time on policy initiatives at a selected executive-branch agency- Placements include the Executive Chamber, Empire State Development Corporation, Justice Center, Department of Environmental Control, and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Basic eligibility: Fellows must receive their graduate degree (i.e. MPA, MA, MBA) or advanced degree (i.e. JD, PhD) during the academic year prior to starting the Fellowship program.
Commitment: Full-time, two-year fellowship beginning in September.
Location: Some opportunities exist in New York City, but most agency placements are located in Albany.
Compensation: Fellows with less than five years of post-collegiate work experience are paid $55,000 annually; those with five or more years of post-collegiate work experience will earn $60,000 annually.
Deadline: first step of application due late January
Internship Programs
New York State Assembly Internships
Fellows serve in full-time research or policy analysis positions with State Assembly leaders, committees and research staff.- Graduate Scholars are also required to attend Issue Policy Forums and the course provided by the Professor-in-Residence.
- Approximately one-third of the participants in the Internship have moved into other positions in state government.
Basic eligibility: Matriculated in or have recently completed a graduate degree program. All majors may apply. International students must have academic requirements in the United States to be eligible and the proper work authorization prior to the Internship start date.
Commitment: Full-time, six-month position beginning in January.
Location: Albany
Compensation: $15,000 stipend for graduate scholars.
Deadline: late October
New New York Leaders: The Student Intern Program
Interns are assigned to a particular area within an executive branch agency or department.- You can view all open positions here.
Basic eligibility: Must be a U.S. Citizen or foreign national eligible to work in the United States, and a currently enrolled graduate student or accepted in a graduate degree program.
Location & Commitment: varies
Compensation: Some internship opportunities are paid.
Deadline: bi-annually
New York City Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs
Interns serve in the offices of selected city government and public officials. Past placements have ranged from legislative offices to state agencies to non-governmental organizations.- Offered through the Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs.
Basic Eligibility: Students from any major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Commitment: Students intern 10-15 hours per week for one semester.
Location: NYC
Compensation: CUNY awards $2,000 to each fellow.
Deadline: mid-July
CUNY Women’s Public Service Internship Program
- Interns serve in the offices of selected legislators working to benefit women and promote women’s issues throughout New York City.
- Offered through the Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs.
Basic Eligibility: Students from any major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Commitment: Students intern 10-15 hours per week for one semester.
Location: NYC
Compensation: CUNY awards $2,000 to each fellow.
Deadline: mid-July
Caucus CUNY Scholars Program
Interns work in the district offices of New York State legislators who belong to the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus.- Intern responsibilities include performing constituent case management and legislative research.
- Offered through the Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs.
Basic Eligibility: Students from any major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Commitment: Students intern 10-15 hours per week for one semester.
Location: NYC and Albany
Compensation: CUNY awards $2,000 to each fellow and covers costs to attend conference in Albany.
Deadline: mid-November
More State and Local Government Opportunities
Like in New York, paid fellowship programs for students and recent graduates are available in many other states and cities. Not all programs require applicants be current residents of that region. Here are a few examples:
- California Capital Fellows Program
- Capital City Fellows Program (CCFP)
- City of Philadelphia’s Mayor’s Internship Program (MIP)
- City of Phoenix Management Intern Program (applicants must currently hold at least a Master’s degree)
- Illinois Governor’s Office Programs
- New York City Urban Fellows Program (to be eligible, applicants must have received their undergraduate degree within the previous two years)
- Port Authority of NY & NJ Leadership Fellows Program
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