College of Social Sciences, UH Mānoa
College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at MānoaCollege Logo
College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at MānoaCollege Logo

Mānoa Political Internship Program

For dynamic, capable and ambitious UH Mānoa students, five political internships are available to complement academic and professional goals. These internships offer a rare opportunity to work at the top levels of government. Through meaningful hands-on work experiences, combined with an enriching academic program, students gain an up-close view of state and federal government and gain skills to advance their careers in a variety of fields. The Mānoa Political Internships serve two primary purposes:

  • To provide governmental offices with additional qualified personnel who assist the agency in fulfilling its objectives by performing meaningful tasks.
  • To provide qualified students with an applied learning environment that validates previously learned academic concepts.

Perspectives

Insights and experiences of Spring 2021 Mānoa Political Interns placed in the offices of a U.S. Senator in Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation, a Hawaiʻi State Senator, the Honolulu Prosecutor, and the Hawaiʻi Lieutenant Governor.

Located in the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., the U.S. Congressional Internship Program invites UH Mānoa students to work in one of four congressional offices in a city rich in historical and cultural significance. Interns are immersed in directed, intense public service. Interns work an average of 40 hours per week while earning 12 academic credits to maintain full-time status.

What the Internship Offers

  • Funding to cover cost of attendance for the semester of the internship (based on resident tuition). A scholarship will be added to the student’s overall financial aid package.
  • Airfare to and from Washington, D.C.
  • Placement in and payment for a suitable dormitory for the semester.
  • Food and winter clothing allowance (when applicable).
  • Stipend for incidentals, e.g., ground transportation, concerts, etc.

Applicant Qualifications

Eligible students must be at the following levels by the starting date of the internship program.

  • Level: Undergraduate
  • Standing: Junior or Senior
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Residency: U.S. residents only
  • Enrollment Status: Full-time
  • Excellent writing, communication and people skills
  • Prodigious work ethic and impeccable reliability
  • Office computer experience (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Basic research capabilities
  • Well-organized with an eye for detail
  • Professional demeanor
  • Desire to learn
  • Interest in public service

Hawai’i Governor’s Office Internship Program

The Hawai’i Governor’s Office Internship Program provides UH Mānoa students with the rare opportunity to work at the top level of state government under the direction of office staff members. Interns will be assigned tasks in the areas of communications, operations or policy, and will take on an array of tasks, including policy and legislative research, note-taking at meetings and hearings, constituent relations, and event coordination. Interns will work an average of 40 hours per week while earning 12 academic credits to maintain full-time status.

Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor’s Office Internship Program

The Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor’s Office Internship Program provides UH Mānoa students with the rare opportunity to work at the top level of state government. Interns will be involved in all aspects of the office, including policy and legislative research, constituent correspondence, consular and name change processing, note-taking at meetings, and event organizing. They will have the chance to work with the Lieutenant Governor and his staff. Interns will work an average of 40 hours per week while earning 12 academic credits to maintain full-time status.

Hawai’i State Legislature (Spring Semester only) Internship Program

The Hawai’i State Legislature Internship Program provides UH Mānoa students with the rare opportunity to work with legislators in both the state House of Representatives and state Senate. Interns will be involved in an experiential learning process that provides insight into elective politics, and the opportunity to observe first-hand the dynamics of legislative decision-making. Interns will work an average of 40 hours per week while earning 12 academic credits to maintain full-time status.

Hawai’i Judicial Internship Program

The Hawai’i Judicial Internship Program provides UH Mānoa students with the rare opportunity to work within the judicial system for a semester. Intern efforts will span both the Prosecuting Attorney’s and Public Defender’s offices, offering a broad first-hand learning experience in criminal law, from arrest through conviction and parole. Interns will work an average of 40 hours per week while earning 12 academic credits to maintain full-time status.

What the Internships Offer

  • Funding to cover cost of attendance for the semester of the internship (based on resident tuition). A scholarship will be added to the student’s overall financial aid package.
  • An engaging learning opportunity that bridges classroom academics and the professional world.
  • Professional development including the building of communication and teamwork skills, and the establishment of local networks and contacts.

Applicant Qualifications

To be eligible, students must be at the following levels by the starting date of the internship program.

  • Level: Undergraduate
  • Standing: Junior or Senior
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Enrollment Status: Full-Time
  • Excellent writing, communication and people skills
  • Prodigious work ethic and impeccable reliability
  • Office computer experience (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Basic research capabilities
  • Well organized with an eye for detail
  • Professional demeanor
  • Desire to learn
  • Interest in public service

The application process for each internship involves submitting both:

  1. General Application Materials
  2. Internship Specific Essay

All materials are submitted online through the UH STAR Student Scholarship system. It is strongly recommended that applicants compile all finalized application materials prior to beginning the application process.

To apply, log in to the UH STAR Student Scholarships and locate the desired internship by keyword searching.

  • U.S. Congressional Internship Program – KeywordCongress
  • Hawai’i Governor’s Office Internship Program – KeywordGovernor
  • Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor’s Office Internship Program – KeywordGovernor
  • Hawai’i Judicial Internship Program – KeywordProsecutor

1. General Application Materials

All internships require that the following materials be submitted through the UH STAR Student Scholarship system.

  1. PDF version of applicant’s STAR transcripts
  2. Resume
    • Current contact details (email, phone, address)
    • Academic background including extracurricular activities
    • Employment background (references not required)
  3. Two Letters of Recommendation

One letter from an academic instructor (past or present) attesting to:

  • Qualifications
  • Character
  • Commitment to public service

One letter from an employer (past or present) attesting to:

  • Work ethic
  • Maturity and judgment
  • Ability to work with others
  • Office skills

Please note: During the application process, applicants will specify the names and emails of their “recommenders.” Upon application submission, a request email will be sent to the “recommenders” from starhelp@hawaii.edu. The request email will include a link allowing “recommenders” to submit their letters online. Therefore, applicants should neither collect nor expect to upload the required letters themselves. As a courtesy, be sure to contact “recommenders” ahead of time to request permission, and to inform them of the application deadlines.

2. Internship Specific Essay

The following internship specific essays must be written with mindful consideration to both topic and word count. Like the materials above, essays are submitted through the UH STAR Student Scholarship system.

U.S. Congressional Internship Program

  • Essay Topic: Identify a national political issue of concern to you. Explain the issue. Identify stakeholders involved and their positions. (600 words)

Hawai’i Governor’s Office Internship Program, Hawai’i Lieutenant Governor’s Office Internship Program, and the Hawaiʻi State Legislature (Spring Semester only) Internship Program

  • Essay Topic: Identify a political issue in Hawaii of concern to you. Explain the issue. Identify stakeholders involved and their positions. (600 words)

Hawai’i Judicial Internship Program

  • Essay Topic: Identify a judicial issue in Hawaii of concern to you. Explain the issue. Identify stakeholders involved and their positions. (600 words)

All materials must be submitted by the following deadlines:

  • Fall Internships: March 15
  • Spring Internships: October 15

For questions about the Mānoa Political Internship program, please contact mpin@hawaii.edu or:

Ruben Campos

Ruben Campos

Student Services Specialist

Dean Hall 6

(808) 956-0655

recampos@hawaii.edu

Larry Nitz

Lawrence Nitz

Professor, Program Director

Saunders 633A

(808) 956-8665

lnitz@hawaii.edu