Legislative Intern

This spring-only legislative internship gives you behind-the-scenes access to Connecticut state politics and the policymaking process. Interns work eight-hour days, two days per week (Mon & Wed or Tues & Thurs) and are supervised by caucus staff (House or Senate; Democrats or Republicans). Typical duties include tracking bills, data entry, drafting reports and testimony, writing social posts, and responding to constituent inquiries. A two-day intensive orientation covers the legislative process, and office policies; after orientation you’ll attend weekly seminars on the legislative process, the budget, and legislative research and writing. Supplemental career forums, optional field trips (State Supreme Court, agencies), and a possible Mock Session round out the experience.

Intentional learning opportunities are built into daily tasks and program events to develop the essential skills of initiative, leadership, accountability, flexibility, writing, and research. You’ll practice initiative by proposing bills ideas, social content and leading small projects; build leadership by organizing a mock session or coordinating a forum; strengthen accountability through accurate bill tracking, timely constituent responses, and maintaining office standards; and sharpen flexibility by adapting to shifting priorities during session weeks and field visits. Writing and research skills are reinforced through drafting committee notes, testimony, and reports that require sourcing and clear argumentation.

Learning goals and measurable objectives: • Understand the Connecticut legislative process: explain a bill’s path from introduction to enactment. • Improve research and writing: produce a bill tracking brief (6-8 pages) and one testimony, each citing at least three credible sources; work will be evaluated with a rubric for clarity and sourcing. • Demonstrate leadership and initiative: plan and lead one small project (mock session, social campaign, or outreach plan) with a timeline and 2 supervisor evaluations. • Show accountability in constituent service: draft constituent replies that follow office tone and accuracy standards and log one challenging interaction with a reflection paper. • Practice flexibility and collaboration: attend at least three cross-office activities (seminars, field trips, mock sessions) and submit a short synthesis connecting those experiences to your internship tasks.

Eligibility: undergraduates at Connecticut two- or four-year colleges, and Connecticut residents attending out-of-state colleges. Minimums: 18+ years old; 20 credits completed by program start; 2.7 cumulative GPA; and registration in a campus-based internship course that awards credit. Student government, club leadership, or volunteer experience is highly recommended.