FAQs

No, this program is not only for Political Science majors. Students from a wide range of disciplines—including business, communications, international relations, economics, environmental science, social work, sports management, journalism, women and gender studies, and even STEM fields—can find internships in Washington, D.C. We welcome students from most majors into our program.  

Students do not need to search for apartments on their own. We have a strong housing partner in the Washington Internship Student Housing Network (WISH), which provides safe, affordable housing in various styles, including shared and private options. WISH housing assignments are located in reputable neighborhoods and allow students to live with other program interns, creating a built-in support network. Because we know this housing is safe, well-maintained, and designed specifically for interns, it is our recommended option.

However, students are welcome to explore other arrangements, such as living with family or friends in or near the district. When students are admitted into the program, we share a number of housing resources through our program housing guide.

We strongly encourage students to apply as early as possible, such as week, or months, prior to our application deadlines. Applying early gives students more time to secure internships, meaning they will have access to a wider range of opportunities, including positions at federal agencies and other highly competitive placements in Washington, D.C.

Many of the most sought-after internships have early deadlines, so the sooner students apply to the program, the better their chances of landing their top-choice internship. Many organizations have application deadlines prior to our program application deadline, so if you apply right at our deadline, it will already be too late for certain positions. Don’t wait—getting started early can make a big difference in your D.C. experience!

No, you do not have to be a Brockport student to participate in the SUNY Washington Internship Program. This program is open to all SUNY students across the state, as well as a few private partner institutions in New York.

While the program is housed at SUNY Brockport, it is designed to serve students from a wide range of campuses. If you attend another SUNY school, you’re eligible to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain professional experience in Washington, D.C. While we have existing partnerships with private schools, such as Hofstra University and St. John Fisher University, if you attend another private school in New York, arrangements can likely be made as well for you to participate.  

While many internships are unpaid, many others offer stipends or hourly wages. Approximately half of internships are paid opportunities. Additionally, most of our students from SUNY institutions can qualify for scholarships if they end up with an unpaid internship. SUNY Brockport students additionally qualify for multiple scholarships.

Students should connect with their career services or financial aid offices on campus and inquire about various funding or scholarship opportunities. Some of our other partner schools also have scholarships for their students that can work for participation in this program.  

No, this is an outdated assumption; while some administrative tasks are part of the job, most internships nowadays involve meaningful work such as policy research, drafting reports, attending briefings, and contributing to projects.

Our interns gain valuable hands-on experience and develop professional skills! Internship opportunities are a great way to diversify your resume and give you the best odds of finding your first job post-grad.

We never admit freshmen into the program, and while we do accept sophomores on a case-by-case basis, we strongly encourage students to wait until they are juniors and seniors to apply for this program, as they typically have a better chance of securing the internships they want.

Juniors and seniors often have more developed resumes, with greater academic experience, leadership roles, and relevant work or volunteer experiences that make them strong candidates. Additionally, they are further along in their degree process, which allows them to apply their coursework more effectively in professional settings. That said, we recommend that students start planning for opportunities like this one early in their academic journey. 

Students can begin preparing for the SUNY Washington Internship Program as early as their freshman year by expanding their resumes with relevant experiences. Pre-planning is key to securing top internships in D.C. when you are a junior or senior. We encourage students to get involved on campus through leadership roles in student government, political organizations, academic clubs, or community service projects. Seeking local internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs related to your field can also help build a strong resume.

Many campuses now have Leadership Development and Civic Engagement programs, which are terrific opportunities to build your resumes. Additionally, developing critical skills such as professional writing, public speaking, and networking will make students more competitive for D.C. internships. The earlier students start gaining experience, the stronger their applications will be when they’re ready to apply. Planning ahead sets the foundation for a successful and rewarding internship in Washington, D.C. We strongly encourage students to meet with their advisors early and let them know of their plans to apply for this program to discuss ways to start preparing for success.  

While D.C. can be pricey, many internship programs offer housing assistance, stipends, or university-arranged accommodations. Budgeting wisely, sharing housing with other interns, and seeking financial aid can make it manageable. See the scholarship information above! 

Washington internships offer transferable skills such as communication, networking, research, data analysis, conflict management, writing, goal setting, public speaking, confidence, and problem-solving. These skills are valuable in business, law, media, nonprofit sectors, international relations, and beyond!