Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Internship Program
Mission
Recognizing the need to provide educational opportunities not typically available to students in the traditional academic setting, the Connecticut General Assembly has established an internship program to acquaint students with both the formal and informal aspects of the legislative process.
The program seeks to encourage a high level of personal interaction between legislators and interns, who serve as aides to their assigned legislators. A major objective of the program is to prepare interns to perform the necessary support services desired by the legislators for whom they are working; i.e. bill analysis and tracking, spot and in-depth research, drafting of news releases and speeches, liaison work, constituent casework, etc.
Qualifications
All undergraduate students who are attending two or four year institutions of higher education in Connecticut and state residents attending out-of-state colleges may apply to the program. Although students from all disciplines are considered, preference is given to upper-class students and students whose experience and academic background offer some preparation for the work they will undertake. In addition, some consideration is given to contributions which the applicant has made to his or her college and community.
Both full-time and part-time internships are available. Full-time interns are expected to work five days a week, regular working hours. Part-time interns are expected to work two full days a week.
Selection and Placement
Selection is made by the Committee on Legislative Staff Internships. The Committee will interview candidates and decide who will be offered an internship, both full-time and part-time, to serve for the legislative session. The deadline for application is November 1st each year and the internship takes place in the spring semester of each academic year.
Interns are assigned to legislative leaders, committee chairs, ranking members and individual legislators. A workable and mutually beneficial relationship between legislator and intern is a major goal of the internship program.
Duration
The program takes place during the spring semester. Start dates will vary based on a long or short session. The length of the program is based upon the amount of weeks required to fulfill the hourly requirements to receive academic credit.