- Internships & Careers
- About Academic-Year Internships
Academic-Year Internships
During the academic year, the IOP coordinates and funds academic-year internships for students to engage with the Chicagoland political ecosystem alongside their typical coursework on campus.
Intern Spotlight
Americans with disabilities are stuck in limbo as backlogs at the Social Security Administration prevent them from receiving disability benefits when they need them.
Graham Harwood (MPP '23) worked with lawmakers to reduce backlogs during his internship at the Committee on Oversight & Accountability, the main investigative committee of the United States House of Representatives.
Deadlines & Eligibility
Applications for 2023-2024 academic-year internships were due Friday, October 13.
International students are eligible for IOP internships if they have received their U.S. work authorization. For more information, visit the UChicago Office of International Affairs.
Internship Employers
The IOP is funding academic-year internships with the Chicago Mayor's Office, Chicago Public Schools, the Axe Files, the Sunrise Movement, the EPA, the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Chicago Public Media, Blackroots Alliance, and many other government agencies and non-profit organizations.
Click on the link below for a full list of our employer partners for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Application Process
The IOP conducts a matching process to place students in academic-year internships. Students will submit a single general application, including a resume and cover letter (or other writing sample). On the application, students will express interest in specific roles and themes.
Internship descriptions and requirements are available on the IOP website. The student application were posted in September and closed on Friday, October 13th.
During the matching period, the IOP will review all student applications and match students with employers based on student qualifications, skills, and interests, as well as employer needs and preferences. Employers will then have the opportunity to conduct confirmation interviews with matched students.
Internship Funding & Requirements
During the 2023-24 school year, we're sending dozens of interns to an array of Chicago-area organizations and agencies. Students will complete 160 hours of internship experience and will receive funding of $2,550.
A formal training and onboarding period will commence in November and December, followed by internship work time from January 3rd to May 10th, 2024.
Interns should plan to meet in person with their employer partners a minimum of six times during the course of their internship (including the first site visit during the onboarding process). In addition to the six-visit minimum, we encourage employer partners and students to work together in person whenever schedules allow. Our interns develop and build on existing professional communication skills through our internships.