The Baker-Dole Internship Program

BPC offers full-time summer, and part-time fall and spring internships each academic semester. Qualified candidates will be highly motivated and energetic self-starters. Interns will assist individual projects and departments in several capacities and should be enthusiastic about working on a variety of tasks. Candidates must be team players and express an interest in one of the BPC’s various policy projects or functional areas.

During the summer semester, all projects/departments accept interns. However, during the fall and spring semesters, only some teams accept interns. Please see below for the list of teams accepting interns for the upcoming semester as well as for a comprehensive list of our projects/departments.

Fall and Spring Programs

During the fall and spring semesters, internships are part-time and unpaid and applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. The fall and spring internship programs at BPC are flexible, allowing students to gain valuable experience while maintaining their regular class schedules. Interns will provide functional support, conduct research, and work directly with project analysts and staff in various capacities.

Summer Program

BPC has a robust summer internship program. Interns work full time and are assigned to a specific BPC project or functional area. Summer interns will receive a $2,500 stipend for ten weeks of work and must be rising juniors or above, but are not required to be enrolled in school at the time of application. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply, but must have a valid work permit or visa verifying eligibility to work in the United States. We do not offer visa sponsorship.

Interns provide administrative support, assist with events and meetings, conduct research and assist with the development and writing of reports, white papers and proposals. While interns work closely with their project teams, there are also opportunities to learn from and be exposed to the wide range of issues addressed by the organization.

2018 Summer Intern Katie Hancock at Mount Rushmore wearing her BPC Summer Internship shirt

Internship opportunities are available within the following teams:

How to Apply

Application Deadlines

Summer internships: March 1

Fall internships: September 1

Spring internships: January 15

Application Process

Please submit all required materials via email to [email protected]. Please do not send multiple submissions. Due to the number of applications received, we are unable to contact those who have not been selected for an internship. No phone calls please.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required Materials

Cover Letter – please indicate your top two areas of interest from BPC’s project and functional areas listed above.

Resume

Writing Sample of approximately 3 pages

College or university transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

Please provide phone and email contact information for 1-2 references, including a professor or other individual familiar with your work.

Intern Profiles

Robert F. Bennett Internship Award

The Robert F. Bennett Award was established in 2016 in memory of a consummate legislator who served Utah and the nation with tremendous distinction for three terms in the United States Senate. Following his tenure in public office, he made invaluable contributions to the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) as a senior fellow as well as the law firm Arent Fox as a senior policy advisor.

The award will be presented each summer to one or two BPC interns and Arent Fox summer associate(s) who best exemplify Senator Bennett’s commitment to public service and desire to make a difference.

BPC will present a $1,500 award to each recipient. BPC’s Selection Committee will comprise a cross-section of BPC management, senior fellows and project directors.

BPC and Arent Fox will host a joint end-of-summer luncheon to honor the career of Senator Bennett and recognize the award winners.

Joshua Ferrer and Tim O'Shea, Summer 2018 Awardees

Bryce Campanelli and Jamie Starr, Summer 2017 Awardees

FAQs

What happens if applications are submitted after the indicated deadline?

The deadline for the fall, spring and summer semesters will be reflected accordingly on the website each semester. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Thus, applications submitted before the deadline will be reviewed first. All applications submitted by the deadline will be considered first. Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered but only after all those that were turned in on time.

Are BPC internships paid or unpaid?

BPC fall and spring internships are unpaid. Students work in the office for 10-15 hours per week. During the summer term, internships are paid by a stipend of $2,500. Summer interns work full time for 40 hours per week.

What is the minimum GPA requirement?

BPC has no minimum GPA requirement. However, most applicants usually have at least a 3.0.

The Bipartisan Policy Center is an equal opportunity employer and believes that our work benefits from diversity across the organization. Decisions to hire and promote are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to reach a broad and diverse candidate pool in filling our positions.