Sanford School of Public Policy
Duke University

How to Get a Duke Public Policy Intern

Internship Basics

• All of our students must complete an internship as a graduation requirement, and most do so during the summer. Most undergraduates have completed their junior year, while all graduate students have completed the first year of our two-year program.
• We offer a pool of 60 graduate students and 175 undergrads.
• Internships must last at least 10 weeks for undergrads; 12 weeks for graduates.
• The substance of the internship must be relevant to public policy.
• Before the internship begins, students and sponsors submit a written description of the main project and other tasks, along with compensation or other considerations, for our approval.
• At the end of the internship, both the sponsor and the student prepare evaluations of the experience.

First, think about what you need from an intern. Do you need someone to file and make copies? You might need an intern, but not a public policy graduate student or PPS major. Our students can be most helpful to an organization that has specific projects to be done or one that can use our students like regular staff members without much training (remember, only 10-12 weeks). Our graduate students have several years of work experience and great technical and analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative. Undergraduates also are versed in analysis. If you have determined that a public policy student will be perfect for your intern project, here's what to do.

1. Write a good job description, using these paragraph headings.

• Organization. Tell about your organization, and refer the students to your web site if you have one. If your organization leans in one political direction or another, or if you’re nonpartisan, say so.
• Project. Describe the specific intern project.
• Other Duties and Responsibilities. List other things the intern will be expected to do or learn during the internship.
• Logistics. Distance from public transit, starting/ending dates, hours per week, office environment.
• Qualifications. If you need someone fluent in Spanish or skilled at Microsoft Access, include it here. Be clear if you expect someone to have presentation skills or data manipulation skills.
• Compensation. Paid internships At Duke, we do offer a limited number of stipends for students who want to pursue internships in organizations that cannot afford to pay. Consider other compensation too, such as a commuting stipend, free or cheap housing with a staff member, access to health club, free breakfasts or lunches.
• Application Requirements. Do you want a writing sample, reference list or letters, personal essay? Specify if you accept snail mail, e-mail, or faxed applications. Give exact contact information.
• Deadline and Time Line. Give a specific deadline for applying (students like to procrastinate). Equally important, specify your time line for responding to the applications. When will the students hear from you? Will you review applications before the deadline? When will you make your final decision? Put some deadlines on yourself-you'll get a better intern.

2. Have an organized, timely process. Even though an intern is a short-term employee, the experience will be more successful for both parties if you follow standard hiring procedures. You’ll get the best applicants if we receive your internship materials by January 1, with an application deadline around March 1. Our semester ends the first week of May.

We encourage you to interview several candidates for an internship; these often can take place by telephone. Many students plan at least one trip to Washington, D.C., to interview for internships, so if you are located there you may be able to meet them in person. Check their references.

3. Market your internship. Your former interns, if you have any, are your best recruiters. Be sure to contact last summer's interns so they can talk about their experiences with students at their school and ones nearby. If you are sending information to several schools, ask your former interns to write letters or testimonials about their experiences that you can include with the job description.

4. Add some exciting elements. Include interns in meetings that give them an overview of the organization or field. Give them exposure to the "top brass" through seminars or luncheons.

5. Guide and evaluate. Create written expectations for the intern and the supervisor. Meet regularly, preferably weekly, to answer questions and evaluate progress. A written agreement makes the evaluation process easier. At the end of the internship give the intern an honest evaluation. Our students are at the beginning of their careers, and honest feedback can be critical to their future success.

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