Institute of Politics

About the Organization: Founded in 2013 by David Axelrod, the Institute of Politics, a non-partisan, extracurricular organization at the University of Chicago, aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of political and public service leaders. Four core programs create the heart of the Institute: civic engagement opportunities that enable students to experience politics-in-action through political exploration trips, leadership training, service programs and voter engagement projects; visiting fellowships where distinguished political officials, policymakers, journalists, diplomats and others are in residence on campus during an academic quarter; political and public service internships that provide students with paid, substantive career development opportunities; and a continuous series of public events featuring leading political figures sharing their insights on key issues of the day.

The IOP House Intern program offers students the opportunity to work closely with IOP staff to facilitate operations and programming, playing a central role in supporting the IOP's many activities and initiatives. Interns gain valuable knowledge and skills in public and social service as well as in specific program areas. IOP House Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students, are paid, and are eligible for work study.

Internship Description: The House Manager interns commit to working 10-15 hours per week during the academic year, mostly in the evenings. These positions support the Institute of Politics’ operations by managing the physical IOP building during the evening hours and by serving as a liaison between the Institute and UChicago students or groups spending time at the IOP. They also serve as a conduit to the House Intern cohort at large, scheduling frequent House Intern staff meetings and quarterly outings. The administrative support that this position provides is integral to the operational success of the IOP.
Selected interns will be required to attend mandatory training and onboarding sessions in late September.

During spring quarter of 2026, the incoming intern may be trained and onboarded by the current (outgoing) intern. The internship will then begin in a full-hours capacity in the fall of 2026 and continue through the end of spring quarter (June 2027). Selected interns will be required to attend mandatory training and onboarding sessions in late September with the rest of the house intern cohort.

Duties listed below assume in-person work, while some work may be allowed off-site.

• Serve as front desk attendant at the IOP building during the evening hours (typically 3pm-7pm Mon-Thurs and Fridays 3-5pm but exact hours may vary)
• Answer the phone and direct requests appropriately
• Coordinate IOP space reservation requests through the monitoring of incoming requests, drafting of outgoing correspondence, and management of IOP room calendars
• Manage the use of IOP equipment, including AV equipment and furniture, during the evenings
• Track various inventory items for general use of IOP staff, interns and student groups
• Follow emergency and closing procedures of the IOP house to ensure safety and security
• Complete data entry tasks and assist with maintaining IOP data databases using mainly Google forms and the IOP’s CRM software
• Provide occasional research and support for the IOP front office (Executive Director and Director)

Qualifications:

• Interest in politics and public service
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, research abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in the use of Google docs, Google calendar, Dropbox and Excel
• Ability to work with minimal oversight; self-directed, resourceful and highly motivated

Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Hours: 10-15 hours per week

Compensation: $16.60/hour