Good leaders must first become good servants. -- Robert Greenleaf

Learning is a lifelong process of discovery in which experience plays an essential role. Through the Political Internship Program, the Academy of Leadership provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the very real issues and challenges facing policymakers at the state and local level. Participants in the program put knowledge into practice, enhancing their leadership potential and understanding of the political process.

Purpose

Through identifying students committed to public service and providing them with mentorship and work experience, the Political Internship Program seeks to foster a new cadre of public leaders. Specifically, the program:

• Identifies students interested in public service careers
• Provides them with a close mentoring relationship with individuals who are established in the political or public service arenas
• Increases their theoretical and conceptual knowledge of the political setting, policy formation and contemporary issues facing officials and citizens

Program Requirements

The Political Internship Program is designed to serve any University of Maryland undergraduate student who meets the application criteria and has demonstrated a strong interest in politics and public service. Applications will be accepted from International Students who are strongly encouraged to contact The Office of International Education Services (301.314.7740) for more specific requirements.

General requirements include:

• A minimum of a 3.0 grade point average
• A minimum of 30 University credits
• In good standing with the University
• The ability to secure an internship in an approved organization

Program Description

The Political Internship Program consists of an academic seminar and an internship experience.

The Academic Seminar

The primary purpose of the Academic Seminar is to foster your understanding of the political leadership process. You will enroll in a 300-level course and study core readings on leadership and the political process as well as readings selected to enhance your understanding of state and local government. You will meet with the instructor weekly and are expected to successfully complete the requirements of the course. Participation in the Academic Seminar earns 3 credits.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• a familiarity with leadership theory and the ability to apply this understanding in analyzing a political institution
• an understanding of the relationship between social identity, power and politics particularly as it pertains to assessing environments and group dynamics; and
• an appreciation of the responsibilities inherent with a position of leadership or those responsibilities associated with a leadership process.

Through the Internship Experience you will gain practical work experience, while developing leadership skills in your chosen area of politics and public service. You will be supervised and mentored by individuals within the organization and are expected to meet the objectives outlined in your learning contract. The internship supervisor will complete an evaluation of your work.

All students will be encouraged to engage your site supervisors in your learning experience by discussing your learning goals at the beginning of the internship. You will be asked to shadow the organization head for a day, interview key staff members and seek appropriate feedback on their performance and contributions to the organization.

This internship experience must occur while you are enrolled in a 300-level course. Interns who work eight hours per week for 15 weeks will earn 3 credits; likewise, interns who work 16 hours per week for 15 weeks will earn 6 credits. Internships can be paid or unpaid.

Each year, applications are due the second Monday in October. Enrollment is limited and is granted “by permission only.” You will receive confirmation that your application has been received. That will be followed with information in a formal acceptance letter regarding how to register for the actual course.

Contact Dr. Nina Harris at 301.405.0390, or at nharris@academy.umd.edu, if you have any questions.