Internship Resources
Gaining hands-on experience and contributing to meaningful work is a cornerstone of the Trachtenberg experience. To help you succeed, our Career Team works closely with you to navigate the process and support you in finding and landing the right internship.
Questions? Check out our FAQ below. Feel free to reach out to us anytime at TSCareer
gwu [dot] edu (TSCareer[at]gwu[dot]edu) for additional questions!
- Where can I find opportunities?
Check out our Jobs Boards & Career Resources and Public Service Fields pages for a curated list of relevant links. Trachtenberg students can sign up for our Internship Listserv to receive emails about opportunities.
- Are there paid internship programs available through the Trachtenberg School and GW?
The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, operated by the Partnership for Public Service, offers paid federal and state government roles for Trachtenberg students. Thanks to an official partnership, the Trachtenberg School will directly fund students who are accepted into the program. Applicants can apply educational training to government work across three distinct tracks: Data Science, Public Administration, and Public Interest Technology & AI.
The Humanitarian Internship Program (HIP) is a university-funded summer initiative that provides GW undergraduate and graduate students with 10-week, full-time paid internships at leading humanitarian organizations. The program combines real-world work experience with professional training and a supportive cohort model to prepare students for impactful careers in the humanitarian sector.- When should I start looking for an internship?
Internships are available and posted year-round. While some employers have specific application periods for each semester (spring, summer, fall), others post opportunities as they arise.
- How many internships do students typically do while attending graduate school?
Graduate student internship paths vary widely based on individual career goals and program demands. These experiences, most of which offer compensation, range from completing a single internship aimed at a full-time job transition to exploring multiple opportunities to balancing concurrent, part-time roles each semester. Ultimately, the right number depends entirely on whether you are deepening your expertise in your current field or building a brand-new professional network to pivot into a new industry.
- If an internship is unpaid, where can I look for funding?
Three times per year, students can apply to GW's Knowledge in Action Career Internship Fund for grants ranging from $750 - $3000 for internships that are necessarily unpaid.
- What are some examples of previous internships?
- AcademyHealth
- American Enterprise Institute
- American Red Cross
- American Youth Policy Forum
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Cornerstone Government Affairs
- Deloitte
- District of Columbia Office of Planning
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Jobs for the Future
- League of United Latin American Citizens
- National Association of Counties
- Smart Electric Power Alliance
- The White House
- The Wilson Center
- Trust for America's Health
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
- US Government Accountability Office
- World Vision
- Can my internship count toward my degree or capstone requirement?
Internships cannot count toward your degree or the distinct capstone project, as the Trachtenberg School does not have a formal internship requirement for graduation. They are instead designed to serve as valuable, optional professional development to complement your studies.
- I’m an international student. What are the requirements to do an internship?
International students should connect with GW’s International Services Office to get specific information regarding internship requirements.