Columns
Thursday, March 8, 2007
common sense on: congressional internships
What do Congressional interns do? Congressional interns play an integral role on my staff in Washington and back home in my five Iowa offices, located in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Dubuque and Sioux City. Interns assist my staff in the areas of legislation and communications. Intern responsibilities include performing office duties, writing and researching current legislative issues, and acting as general project support to staff. A Congressional internship is an excellent opportunity to gain a valuable and unique education about the federal legislative process. In fact, I began my political career as an intern for Representative Neal Smith in the House. Who is eligible to apply for a Congressional internship? The internship program is specifically designed for college undergraduates; however, we can tailor the internship program to meet the needs of recent college graduates or individuals pursuing a post-graduate degree. How can I apply for a Congressional internship? Applying for an internship is easy. Just go to my Senate website at http://www.harkin.senate.gov/internship/index.cfm and follow the instructions. After filling out the online application, potential interns should also fax their resume, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation to my Intern Coordinator at fax number 202-224-9369. Our office accepts internship applications on a rolling basis for the spring, summer and fall semesters. I encourage all who are interested to apply, and I hope to work with you in my Washington or Iowa offices soon!
