UHWO Governmental Internship Program S24
By Loea Akiona on August 25, 2023
DEADLINE TO APPLY: SEPT 18, 2023
The UHWO Governmental Internship Program provides dynamic, capable, and ambitious UHWO students with a rare opportunity to work in the office of a senator or representative at the Hawai‘i State Legislature during the 2024 legislative session, January – May 2024.
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 who can work a 40-hour week schedule are preferred as the legislative session can get intense. A work schedule less than 40 hours will receive a prorated award.
Benefits:
- In-state tuition and some expenses for the semester of the internship
- An engaging learning opportunity that bridges classroom academics and the professional world.
- Professional development including the building of communication and teamwork skills, the establishment of local networks and contacts, the application of disciplinary knowledge and skills to real world experiences.
Commitment:
- Full-time: 37.5 hours/week at the site*, or
- Half-time: 20 hours/week at the site
- 16 weeks (No Spring Break)
- Students must attend weekly mentor sessions and practicum classes
* Preference is given to applicants who can work full-time hours in person.
Award:
- Full-time: $10,000
- Part-time: $5,000
Applicant qualifications
To be eligible, students must meet the applicant qualifications by the starting date of the internship program.
- Campus: UHWO
- Class Standing: Senior*
- Major/Concentration: Any
- Minimum GPA: 2.8
- Residency: US Resident only
- Consent of the Senior Practicum Faculty Advisor**
- Excellent writing, communication, and people skills
- Prodigious work ethic and impeccable reliability
- Office computer experience (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
- Basic research capabilities
- Well-organized with an eye for detail
- Professional demeanor
- Desire to learn
- Interest in public service
*Preferred
**If applicable
Application Process
To apply for this internship program, please complete the following by 11:59 pm on Monday, September 18, 2023:
Part I (Application Form):
Part II (Supporting documents to be emailed directly to uhwo.careers@hawaii.edu):
- Transcripts
- Unofficial, STAR Transcripts are sufficient
- Click on the “Transcripts” tab, select “All Campuses and Degree Levels” from the drop-down menu, then click “Semester” under “campus transcripts by:”. Download as a pdf.
- If you transferred and brought in credits from non-UH institutions, also submit a STAR “campus transfer transcripts by semester”.
- Unofficial, STAR Transcripts are sufficient
- Resume (reach out to Career Services [uhwo.careers@hawaii.edu] if you need assistance)
- Contact information for two professional references:
- (1) a faculty member and
- (2) an employer (past or present) or another professional reference
- Please provide an essay (700-1,000 word) response to the following questions:
- (1) How does this governmental internship fit into your overall educational and career goals?
- (2) What do you hope to gain from this experience?
