“It’s a great opportunity to learn about your state government and help improve your state. Our internship program includes some of the brightest and most capable college and law students in Georgia.
We appreciate the time you spend with us and we enjoy having you!”
- Governor Nathan Deal
Initiated in 1971, the Governor’s Intern Program provides Georgia’s brightest and most ambitious students with professional experience to prepare for the working world. The program consists of two components, the Internship Program and the Fellowship Program. College juniors and seniors, graduate students and law students are eligible to apply to the Internship Program, while the Fellowship Program is only open to recent college graduates.
The Internship Program offers students valuable work experience in the Governor's Office and in numerous agencies throughout the state. Interns work in a fast-paced environment and enjoy many opportunities to learn more about politics, state government and the legislative process.
The Fellowship Program is an extension of the Internship Program and offers a more in-depth look at the inner workings of the Office of the Governor. Fellows must be recent college graduates and have the ability to work full-time for six months. Like interns, fellows are placed in a specific department based on academic and career interests, but the longer tenure allows fellows to build a foundation for a career in state government or politics.
Both interns and fellows receive stipends, with hourly wages determined by the individual’s level of education. The application process for each program is highly competitive, consisting of an application and two rounds of interviews. More information about the program and application process can be found in the various sections of this website. Thank you for your interest in the Governor’s Intern Program!
Process
Upon submission of their application, qualified students may be selected for an interview with the Governor's Intern Program staff. After the preliminary interview with the Governor's Intern Program staff, the student may be selected for a second round of interviews with a Governor's Office or agency staff member from a department that will best utilize their talents and interests. This process is intended to determine the best possible placement and provides an excellent opportunity for college students to improve their interviewing and job search skills.
Internships in the Fall and Spring semesters last for 18 weeks and 13 weeks in the Summer. The Governor's Intern Program strives to schedule the dates and deadlines for the internships in accordance with the academic schedule of most Georgia colleges, universities and law schools.
Eligibility Requirements
Students meeting the following requirements may be considered for an internship:
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He/she must be a currently enrolled junior, senior, graduate student, or law student, or no more than one year past graduation.
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He/she must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
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He/she must be a Georgia resident or attending/attended a Georgia college, university, or law school.
Reception
Upon the completion of your internship, we invite you to a reception with the Governor and First Lady at the Governor's Mansion. At this reception you are given the opportunity to meet and mingle with the other interns and their supervisors from respective agencies. A photograph is taken of you and the Governor and sent to you as a memento.
Office of Communications
The Office of Communications is responsible for working with the press and developing the Governor's communications strategy. The office communicates with the media by holding press conferences, issuing press releases and media advisories. The office also handles media requests for interviews and statements, staffs the Governor's events that are open to the media, and houses the Governor's speechwriter. The Communications intern should possess computer and writing skills.
Office of Constituent Services
The Office of Constituent Services responds to the Governor’s mail, e-mail, and phone calls from the public. Staff conducts research on a broad range of policy issues in order to respond to constituents’ requests. Constituent Services interns should be comfortable communicating with the public on the telephone, and have a pleasant demeanor.
Office of Government Affairs
The Office of Government Affairs functions as a liaison between the Governor's Office and other elected officials, including members of the Georgia General Assembly, the Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C., county commissioners and mayors. This department is searching for a multi-talented individual who is a good communicator, organized and can multi-task.
Office of Policy
The Office of Policy advances the Governor's agenda through background research and fact-finding, often interacting with state and federal agencies. Interns are required to have excellent written and oral communication skills, and must be a critical thinker. A general knowledge of several different policy areas is important. Most work is accomplished independently, requiring interns to be self-motivated and proficient in time-management.
Office of Scheduling
The Office of Scheduling collects, organizes, and responds to all invitations for the Governor. This department is responsible for all maintenance of the Governor's time, including travel arrangements, staff assignments, and other logistics. The Scheduling intern should possess excellent communication and organization skills and the ability to multi-task.
Office of Executive Board Appointments
The Office of Executive Board Appointments oversees the Governor’s appointment of qualified individuals to over 200 state and federal boards, commissions, committees and authorities. Executive Appointments also communicates regularly with state agency staff, coordinates swearing-in ceremonies for new board members, and is responsible for a weekly news release announcing appointment progress. The Executive Appointments intern should be detail-oriented with strong interpersonal communication skills due to regular interaction with the public. Other qualifications include organizational skills and proficiency in MS Excel.
Governor's Office for Children & Families
This department supports the initiatives of the First Lady, including the Our Children Campaign, the First Lady's Children's Cabinet and the Mansion Foundation. Event planning experience is helpful, but not necessary. The intern should possess an interest in and knowledge of children’s issues, in addition to an understanding of basic computer programs.
Office of Executive Counsel -For Law School Students/Graduates Only
The Office of Executive Counsel handles all legal matters affecting the Office of the Governor. Executive Counsel also responds to all open records requests and all of the Governor's Executive Orders. Meetings with agencies, staff members and others are conducted by this office in an effort to help promote and further the Governor’s agenda. The Executive Counsel intern should possess strong communication and writing skills. A legal background or interest in law is helpful but not required.
The Governor's Fellowship Program is looking for bright, hard-working and enthusiastic recent graduates to participate in a six-month fellowship at the State Capitol. The Fellowship Program is an extension of our Intern Program and provides the participants with an in-depth look at the inner workings of the Office of the Governor. The opportunity is available to recent graduates, within one year of graduation, with either their undergraduate degree or master's level degree, that are looking to work in a fast-paced environment and gain a wide range of experience. All applicants must reside in the state of Georgia. This program builds on the participants' undergraduate and/or graduate education and other internship experiences, and gives them the capability to build a foundation for a career in state government or politics.
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Each fellow is assigned to a supervisor in a department within the Governor's Office. A fellowship allows more time than an internship to work on and develop certain long-term projects within a department. Each fellow will gain specific experience based on his/her department assignment, in addition to experience gained from working closely with other departments in the Governor's office.
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Available fellowship positions will vary according to department needs. Each semester will offer different opportunities within the Office of the Governor. The fellowship is a highly competitive program and the number of positions for fellows differs each term. Fellows are placed in a department based on their resume, application and a panel interview.
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Fellows will learn from their supervisors as well as from each other. Fellows are integrated into the staff and work alongside staff members learning as much as they can. This is a great program to learn from professionals within state government and get insight into the working world. Our program also strives to help participants develop qualities that will assist them in finding employment after completion of the Fellowship. If you are between undergraduate and graduate level education or law school, it is a great way to network and receive knowledge that will build upon your education.
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Fellows do receive a stipend. Unlike interns who may work part-time as needed, fellowships within the Governor's Office are all full-time positions. All positions are paid an hourly wage and receive payment bi-weekly.
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To apply, please email your resume, a brief writing sample (no more than five pages), a list of three references and a cover letter noting that you are applying for the Fellowship Program to interns@gov.state.ga.us. A receipt of submission will be e-mailed to you. If you do not receive an email, please call 404-656-1784 to inquire.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements to apply for an internship?
You must be a currently enrolled junior, senior, graduate student, law student or not more than one year past graduation with a 3.0 GPA or higher. You must be either a Georgia resident or attending a Georgia college, university, or law school.
Q: If I apply for an internship and am not selected, can I re-apply for the next quarter/semester?
Yes. If the Governor's Intern Program does not select you for the semester in which you are applying, you are welcome to apply again for a later term if you are still eligible.
Q: If I am placed in the Governor's Intern Program this summer, can I participate again next summer?
Because the GIP offers a limited number of internships per semester, you may participate only once. We want as many students as possible to experience this great opportunity. * An undergraduate or master's level GIP participant does have the option to participate in the law program.
Q: Can I get academic credit?
Yes. You may arrange for academic credit through your academic advisor. If necessary the Internship Coordinator or your direct supervisor (once placed) may serve as the contact person for your academic advisor.
Q: I do not live near my preferred internship sites. Can you provide housing?
The Governor's Intern Program cannot provide housing for you; however, the Emory University Summer Intern Housing Program (SIHP) provides affordable and comfortable accommodations for summer interns at the Clairmont Campus. For more information visit the SIHP website at http://www.emory.edu/sihp.
Q: Do you provide transportation to my internship site?
The Governor's Intern Program cannot provide any transportation for you. MARTA has two stations that are located near the Capitol; the Georgia State Station (directly across from the Capitol in the Twin Towers complex) or the Five Points station (two blocks west of the Capitol at Underground Atlanta).
Q: How long is the program? When is my first day of work?
Fall and spring semester internships are 18 weeks, and the summer internship is 13 weeks. The Governor's Intern Program strives to schedule the internship dates and deadlines in accordance with the academic schedule of most Georgia colleges, universities, and law schools. Please check the calendar to see when the internship in which you are interested begins.
Q: Are all the internships located in Atlanta ?
Yes. While internships with agencies are sometimes offered in other locations around the state, internships facilitated through the Governor's Office are all located in Atlanta.
Q: How do I apply?
Please email your resume, cover letter writing sample (no more than five pages) and a list of three references in word or pdf format to interns@georgia.gov, noting the term you are applying for in the subject field.
Q: What kind of writing sample should I submit?
An academic paper, an opinion piece written for a school newspaper, a press release composed for a PR class, or a similar work would be appropriate. Feel free to submit just an excerpt or selection of a longer work in order to not exceed the page maximum.
Q: How many days/hours can I intern per week?
Interns have the option of working between 20 and 40 hours per week. You and your supervisor will determine the days and number of hours that are best for you and the office. Keep in mind that if you are interning for academic credit, most programs require you to intern a minimum number of hours per week.
Q: Can I request to work in a specific area in the Governor's office?
Many departments within the Governor's Office host interns, including the Office of the First Lady, Scheduling, Policy, Government Affairs, Communications, Executive Appointments and Constituent Services. You are encouraged to indicate in your cover letter a specific area in which you are interested, but this will not guarantee an internship in that department. If you are selected to participate in the GIP, the Intern Director will work with the internship supervisors to place you in the department most compatible with your area of study.
Q: What kind of work will I be doing as an intern?
Each office has different needs and requirements, and your duties are at the discretion of your supervisor. During your interview with the participating agency, you may be given more specifics regarding your internship duties. Some of your responsibilities may include: research, data compilation, attending meetings, general administrative duties and assisting in the planning of special events.
For additional questions, please email interns@gov.state.ga.us or call (404) 651-7768.
Q: What is the Governor's Law Intern Program?
The Law Intern Program is a part of the Governor's Intern Program. The Governor's Law Program began in the summer of 1977 to provide law students educational opportunities to actively participate in solving legal problems facing Georgia 's government agencies.
Q: Who may participate in the Law Intern Program?
The Governor's Law Intern Program invites first and second year law students to participate.
Q: How long does the internship last?
Fall and spring internships are 18 weeks and summer internships are 13 weeks.
Q: How much does it pay?
The law interns receive an hourly wage of $9.00 per hour for their full-time 13-week internship.
Q: What kind of work will I be doing during my internship?
Though specific work will differ each semester, writing and research skills are major components of all law internships.
To apply, please submit all of the following via e-mail in Word or PDF format to interns@georgia.gov:
- Your resume
- Cover letter
- List of three professional or academic references
- Brief writing sample of no more than five pages. This may be a paper or selection from a longer piece written for class, a school newspaper, a press release, etc.