Public Service Internship Program
Public Service Internships
CAPAL’s Public Service Internship Program places undergraduate and graduate students within the public sector in the Washington, DC area and throughout the United States. Intern duties may include policy or scientific research, project coordination and management, business, law, communications, and more. Placements may be in rural or urban areas, such as Alaska, Delaware, and California. In addition to their internship requirements, interns will participate in CAPAL’s programming such as professional development workshops, be paired with professional mentors based on similar field interests, and reflect on their internships with other CAPAL interns during regular cohort sessions. Applicants are asked to specify their placement preferences on the application, and those selected will be placed based on their interests and skills. These internships are open to ALL MAJORS.
**All CAPAL Scholars & Interns, in addition to their internship, are required to participate in CAPAL’s additional programming. An example of a previous summer schedule can be found here.**
The 2022 Fall Internship Application is now CLOSED. Our applications for Summer 2023 will open in November.
Be sure to join our mailing list to receive the latest updates on CAPAL.
Applications for the 2022 fall program will open Friday, July 8 and close on Monday, August 15 11:59 pm ET. The deadline for priority applications is Wednesday, July 27, 11:59 pm ET. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The online application must include all of the following components.
- Application form
- Personal statement (750 works max)
- One-page resume
- Current official or unofficial transcript
- Letter of recommendation
If you have any other questions, please email hannah.park@capal.org.
Application Review
- The application review process will begin on a rolling basis in July, and applicants will be invited to interview with CAPAL
- After the CAPAL interview, finalists will receive an email from CAPAL to interview with a potential internship agency
- All interns will be placed by the end of September
- *NOTE: Final acceptance into CAPAL’s program will be dependent on final selection and review by the internship agency
For this opportunity, we strongly encourage and seek applications from people of color especially Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; people with disabilities; and people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
• Only currently enrolled students are eligible for an internship or scholarship through CAPAL.
• U.S. citizenship is not required for CAPAL’s Public Service internships. Permanent residents, and in some instances, interns with appropriate work visas, are eligible to apply. Specific citizenship and residency requirements may vary by federal agency. CAPAL’s scholarships, however, are open to all students, regardless of residency or citizenship status.
Public Service Internship Requirements
• Fulfill responsibilities of a full-time or part-time internship within assigned public service organization.
• Attend regular cohort sessions, professional development workshops, and other mandatory CAPAL events.
• Meet regularly with a paired mentor who matches the intern’s areas of interest, and complete a mentorship plan.
Summer 2022 Placement Partners:
USDA Agricultural Research Service • Brookings Institution • U.S. Forest Service • National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association • USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Asian American LEAD • U.S. Department of Interior
Previous Placement Partners:
Google • United States Environmental Protection Agency • Truman Research Institute • USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
“How long are the internships?”
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- Depending on the internship agency, internships can range from 8-12 weeks, however this timeline can change depending on the internship organization.
“Are the internships full-time or part-time?”
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- It will be dependent upon the internship organization on whether the internship will be full-time or part-time. Applicants can indicate in the application form if they are available for a full-time and/or part-time internship
“Will the internships be in-person?”
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- It will be dependent upon the internship organization on whether the internship will be virtual, hybrid, or in-person. Applicants can indicate in the application form whether they are available for an in-person internship, and if they have a preference for a city/location should the internship be in-person
“Does CAPAL cover housing expenses?”
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- Unfortunately, we are unable to cover housing costs for our Scholars and Interns, but we do provide a housing resource guide with helpful tips and links to make your housing search easier.
“When will the program begin this year?”
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- Our orientation session for the 2022 Scholars and Interns cohort will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2022. The Scholars and Interns program concludes mid-December.
“My school operates on a trimester or quarterly system so I don’t finish finals until after the start date. Can I still apply?”
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- We advise that you indicate clearly in your application that you may need to start your internship at a later date. This start date can be negotiated with supervisors if you are awarded a CAPAL Internship.
“What does the work environment typically look like?”
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- For our DC-based internships, it is highly likely that you will work in an office setting.
- Internships throughout the U.S. can be a mix of office and sitework.
- As for our scholarship, the work environment will depend on the organization.
- **Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all 2021 programming was 100% virtual.**
- **CAPAL is actively monitoring ongoing developments related to COVID-19 and will keep applicants informed.**
“Does CAPAL give any other financial support aside from the $3,000 stipend?”
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- CAPAL reimburses scholars and interns roundtrip travel to and from DC for in-person programming and a domestic destination. If you are selected for our program, an in-depth reimbursement policy will be sent to you along with other welcome materials.
“Can I apply if I am part of a program where I will receive funding for an unpaid internship?”
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- CAPAL provides a $3000 stipend for all students, however in the case that the student is receiving funding for their internship from another source, CAPAL can match the student at a partner organization, supported by the student’s external source of funding in lieu of the CAPAL-issued stipend. The student can mark this indication in the online application form.
“I do not identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (AANHPI), can I still apply?”
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- CAPAL internships and scholarships are open to students of all identities. However, an individual’s interest and commitment to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander issues will be considered.
“Who can I reach out to if I have more questions?”
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- Hannah Park, CAPAL’s Programs and Operations Associate, will be the point of contact for the 2022 Fall Internship program. Feel free to contact her at hannah.park@capal.org.
**Note: CAPAL provides a $3000 stipend for each student during their internship. This amount can vary depending on the specific internship organization and time length of the internship.