Student Resources

Internship Opportunities

Legislative Internships

Description of duties: constituent correspondence, legislative research, press releases, and event planning.

United States Congressmember Salud Carbajal

 


United States Senator Dianne Feinstein

  • 331 Hart Building
    Washington, D.C. 20510
  • Phone: (202) 224-3841
  • Website: https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/
  • Apply online for internships in Washington, D.C. and in California: Click "For Students" tab, then click "Internships."
  • Internships are available in Washington, D.C., Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco offices.
  • If you plan to apply, please email Cal Poly alumni RJ Abarquez: philipabarquez@uchastings.edu


The Maddy Institute

 

 
Capital Fellows Programs

  • Sacramento State University
  • Programs offered:
    • California Senate Fellows
    • Executive Fellowship
    • Judicial Administration Fellowship
    • Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship
  • Website: https://www.csus.edu/center/center-california-studies/capital-fellows/
  • Note: For graduating seniors only. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degrees by September of the fellowship year.
     


The Panetta Institute for Public Policy

 

Federal and State Government Internships

Description of Duties:  special projects, research, press releases, and event planning.

White House Internship Program

 


U.S. Secret Service

  • Contact: Student Programs Coordinator
  • Office of Government and Public Affairs
    245 Murray Ln
    Washington, DC 20223
  • Phone: (202) 406-6420
  • Website: https://www.secretservice.gov/careers
  • Please refer to the website for more information regarding the application process.
     


Department of Defense


Department of State


    U.S. Department of Transportation


    Congressional Research Service

    • Contact: Rosafelina Anzures
    • 101 Independence Ave, SE
      Washington, DC 20540
    • Email: 
    • Website: http://www.loc.gov/
    • View "Career Opportunities" for information and application procedures for the internship programs.
       

    City/County Government Internships

    Description of Duties: special projects, research, cross-checking, updating forms, administrative duties.

    City of San Luis Obispo


    City of Santa Maria


    City of Pismo Beach

    • Contact: Jorge Garcia
    • Administrative Office
      760 Mattie Rd.
      Pismo Beach, CA 93449
    • Phone: (805) 773-7928
    • Web: www.pismobeach.org
       


    County of San Luis Obispo


    City of Arroyo Grande

    Criminal Justice Internships

    San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office - Victim Witness Assistance Center

    Please note that criminal matters handled by the District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Assistance Division are confidential and may involve graphic and highly sensitive information. Completion of an application and a formal background check are required prerequisites.

     

    Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office – Santa Maria Branch     

    Election & Campaign Internships

    Description of Duties: analysis of voter registration and election results, writing/presenting reports, working with/on precinct voter lists, organizing volunteers.

    San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party

    • 3592 Broad St., Suite 100
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    • Phone: (805) 546-8499
    • Website: https://slocdp.org/internships-2/
    • Please complete the online form to begin the process.
       


    San Luis Obispo County Republican Party

    • 531 Marsh St., Ste. B
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
    • Phone: (805) 668-2064
    • Website: www.rpslo.org
       


    Project Vote Smart

    Interest Group Internships

    Description of Duties: research, administrative duties, public relations, etc.

    Arms Control Association

    • 1313 L Street, NW, Ste. 130
    • Washington, DC 20005
    • Email: 
    • Phone: (202) 463-8270
    • Website: www.armscontrol.org
    • Internships are available in multiple disciplines. Please refer to the website for additional information.
       


    Common Cause


    Project on Government Oversight (previously Center for Defense Information)


    Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (previously Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs)

    • Contact: Sara McEwan, Senior Talent Engagement Officer
    • 1828 L Street NW, Ste. 710
      Washington, DC 20036
    • Email: smcewan@cnfa.org
    • Phone: (202) 296-3920 x67
    • Website: www.cnfa.org
       


    Greenpeace Summer Semester


    Institute for International Education

    • 530 Bush St., Suite 1000
      San Francisco, CA 94108
    • Email: iiesf@iie.org
    • Phone: (415) 362-6520
    • Website: www.iie.org
    • Focus is on education, cultural exchanges, and international relations.
       


    Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

    • Contact: Crista Arias, Internship Coordinator
    • 1128 16th St NW
      Washington, DC 20002
    • Email: 
    • Phone: (800) 392-3532 or (202) 543-1771
    • Website: www.chci.org
       


    Sierra Club Magazine (SIERRA)


    Sierra Club Legislative Office


    U.S. Chamber of Commerce

    • 1615 H Street NW
      Washington, DC 20062
    • Email: 
    • Phone: (202) 659-6000 or (800) 638-6582
    • Website: www.uschamber.com
    • Please refer to the website for application and additional information.
       


    Pre-Law Internships

    Description of Duties: client contact, legal research, office work, liaison with media, status reports from courts, legal analysis, reading legal documents, writing letters and motions, attending court (if applicable).

    Students must contact Ron Den Otter (denotter@calpoly.edu) or Jennifer Denbow (jdenbow@calpoly.edu) before applying to pre-law internships. Note: Dr. Den Otter will be on sabbatical for the 2022-2023 academic year. 

     

    Pick Law Office

     

    Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc.

     

    Law Offices of William Ausman

    • Contact: Tammy Campbell
    • Email: bookkeeper@atownlaw.com
    • Phone: (805) 466-4800
    • 8320 Morro Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

     

    Egan Family Law

    • Contact: Kristin Black
    • Kristin@judeeganlaw.com
    • Phone: (805) 332-3984
    • 420 E. Cook Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454

     

    Irene V. Moore

    • Office Administrator
    • Hall, Hieatt & Connely, LLP
    • 1319 Marsh Street, Second Floor, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    • (805) 544-3830
    • IMoore@HHC-SLO.com

     

    Amber Heffner

    • Immigration Attorney
    • Amber Heffner Law
    • 2087 10th St. Suite A, Los Osos, CA 93402
    • (805) 316-0592

     

    Victor J. Herrera

    • Carmel & Naccasha
    • Contact: Lori Ingan
    • 694 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    • (805) 546-8785
    • lingan@carnaclaw.com

     

    Lumina Alliance (formerly RISE and Stand Strong)

    • Legal Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in SLO
    • PO Box 125
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93406
    • Phone: (805) 545-8888
    • Website: www.luminaalliance.org

    Government/Public Interest Internships

     

    California Rural Legal Assistance


    San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation

     

    Family Law Clinic

    • Contact: Alicia Valdez Wright, Family Law Facilitator
    • Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo
    • 1035 Palm St, Room 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
    • Phone: New (805) 706-3781 San Luis Obispo Courthouse Annex
    • Email: alicia.wright@slo.courts.ca.gov

     

    Santa Maria Office of Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara

     

    Deputy County Counsel

    • Contact: Brian J. Stack
    • Email: bstack@co.slo.ca.us
    • Phone: (805) 781-5400
    • 1055 Monterey Street, Suite D320, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

     

    Private Practice Internships

     

    Shell Beach Law Group (Shell Beach)

    • Contact: Brian Kreowski
    • 1435 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, CA 93449
    • Phone: (805) 773-5661


    Curtze Legal Offices (Arroyo Grande)


    Judicial Internships

    Note: Students need at least a 3.2 GPA to be eligible for a judicial internship.

    San Luis Obispo County Superior Court (Paso Robles)

    • Contact: Dr. Den Otter or Dr. Denbow for more information.


    Media Internships

    Description of Duties:  administrative, research, writing, and public relations.

    KSBY-TV

    • Contact: Doug Barden
    • 1772 Calle Joaquin
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
    • Email: 
    • Phone: (805) 597-8404
    • Website: www.ksby.com
       


    C-SPAN Internship Program

    • 400 N. Capitol St., NW Ste. 650
      Washington, DC 20001
    • Website: www.c-span.org
    • Fall, Spring, and Summer terms available.
       

    Non-Profit Internships

    Description of Duties: communications, government relations, research, writing.

    American Red Cross

    • 225 Prado Rd., Ste. A
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    • Phone: (805) 543-0696 x4
    • Website: www.redcross.org


    Big Brothers / Big Sisters

    • Contact: Mark Ibrahim
    • 142 Cross St., Ste. 140
      P.O. Box 12644
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93406-3029
    • Phone: (805) 329-1956
    • Website: www.slobigs.org/
       


    California Rural Legal Assistance


    California Youth Connection

    • Contact: Lupita Ducharme, Intern Supervisor
    • Email: Lducharme@fcni.org
    • Phone: (805) 503-6278
    • Contact Lupita Ducharme for additional information about this opportunity.
       


    The Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County


    Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)


    Community Action Partnership (CAPSLO)

    • 1030 Southwood Dr.
      San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
    • Phone: (805) 534-3668
    • Email: volunteer@capslo.org
    • To apply: Fill out the Volunteer Application form available on the CAPSLO website http://www.capslo.org/menus/volunteer.html. Note on the form that you're applying for an internship rather than a volunteer experience.

                        

    Lumina Alliance- Formerly RISE & Stand Strong

     

    Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA) Homeless Outreach, Advocacy, and Meaningful Education (HOAME)

     

    Political Consulting Internships

     

    Description of Duties: communications, public relations, research, and writing.

    McAllister & Quinn, LLC

    • Contact: Katie White
    • 1030 15th Street, NW Suite 590 West
      Washington, DC 20005
    • Email: Kwhite@jm-aq.com
    • Phone: (202) 296-2741
       


    Meridian Pacific, Inc.

    • Contact: Rita Hosmann
    • 212 S. Main Street, Ste. 206
      Templeton, CA 93465
    • Phone: (916) 648-1222 
       


    Public Policy Solutions


    Public Policy Internships

    Description of duties: Research, writing, communications, government relations. 

    The Brookings Institution

    • Contact: Rob Wooley, Internship Coordinator
    • Governmental Studies Program
      1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
      Washington, DC 20036-2188
    • Email: 
    • Phone: (202) 797-6090
    • Website: www.brook.edu
       


    Institute for Policy Studies

    • Contact: Emily Norton, Internship Coordinator
    • 733 15th St. NW, Ste.1020
      Washington, DC 20005
    • Email: emilyn@ips-dc.org
    • Website: www.ips-dc.org
    • A variety of internships are offered. IPS encourages applicants to apply for more than one internship.
       


    Public Policy Institute of California

    • 500 Washington St., Ste. 600
      San Francisco, CA 94111
    • Phone: (415) 291-4400
    • Website: www.ppic.org
    • Summer internships only in San Francisco and Sacramento offices and last up to 3 months, ideally beginning June 1st. Application deadline is February 21st.
       

     

    The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

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