Internships

Public Service Internship
Director, Cheryl Brown
SH 737/696-3598
brownca@marshall.edu

The Public Service Internship Program places qualified students in state government agencies for an off-campus learning period of one semester. Students enrolled in this they also attend a weekly seminar conducted by the state program coordinator and have a must be full-time Juniors or Seniors. Thy also must have the approval of their department chairperson and the university selection committee. The state program coordinator makes stipend for their participation in the program. Academic credit for the program is offered in these courses:

• 488 - Directed Studies 3 hours
• 489 - Seminar in Public Service 3 hours
• 490 - Public Service Internship 6 hours

These courses carry the sponsoring department’s designator. The student’s major department will determine how the credit is to be allocated to meet departmental requirements. All courses must be taken in order to receive credit. Students interested in this program should contact the Department of Political Science early in the semester preceding the one in which they wish to participate.

Judith A. Herndon Fellowship
Undergraduates are selected to participate in the 60-day session as Herndon Fellows and are assigned a sole legislator from wither the Senate or the House of Delegates.

The interns are required to perform research and various staff functions. Among other job-related responsibilities, participants are introduced to and develop an understanding of the politics of legislation, legislative research, bill drafting, the role and function of committees and the executive legislative liaison.

Number of positions: 10
Eligibility:
*Full-time undergraduate students of all majors and disciplines from both public and private institutions of higher learning in West Virginia
*Completed 60 undergraduate hours
*Achieved grade point average sufficient for admission into degree program
*Completed course in political science or extensive public affairs experience
*Submission of three letters of recommendation
*Submission o transcript of academic record
*Submission of a written essay on a specified topic

Frasure-Singleton Interns
Undergraduate students are selected to assist a specific senator or delegate for one week during the regular 60-day session.

During their one-week stay, students are provided an educational opportunity to observe the actions of the lawmaking body. The legislator will guide the intern through the process. The students may be asked to attend specific committee meetings, to view floor sessions and to aid the delegate or the senator with research projects or constituent requests.

Number of positions: 50 (25 per week of a two-week period during mid-session of the Legislature)
Eligibility:
*Full-time sophomores and juniors of all majors and disciplines from two and four year, public and private institutions of higher learning
*In good academic standing with (at least) one course in government.

Legislative Information Internship: Walter Rollins Scholars/Robert W. Burk Jr., Student Interns
Aspiring journalists are selected to work for all members in both the Senate and the House of Delegates during the 60-day session by providing services through the Legislature’s office of public information.

The selected participants are assigned to cover floor sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, press conferences and other legislative activities. Chosen participants are required to participate in the publication of a weekly newsletter, compose news releases, take photographs and respond to media and citizen requests.

Number of positions: 2
Eligibility:
*Full-time undergraduate (juniors and seniors) or graduate students majoring in the field of journalism or related accredited program enrolled in both public and private WV colleges and universities
*In good academic standing

Walter Rollins Scholars/Robert W. Burk, Jr., Student Interns
West Virginia graduate students are chosen to assist lawmakers serving in leadership positions of the Senate and the House of Delegates.

Walter Rollins Scholars participate in the lawmaking process by researching relevant issues, assisting in preparation for floor deliberations and monitoring legislative activity under the direction of those in the highest positions of legislative leadership.

Robert W. Burk, Jr., Student Interns assist standing committee chairpersons and other leading senators and delegates. These students receive firsthand knowledge by observing the making of public policy, studying how the legislative structure bears upon the manner in which decisions are made and aiding legislators in their daily work activities.

Number of positions:
Rollins Scholars 2
Burk Interns 4

Eligibility:
*student enrolled in graduate programs of all majors at accredited WV public or private colleges or universities
*In good academic standing
*Submission of three letters of recommendation
*Submission of academic transcripts
*Submission of past research paper
*Submission of letter of interest
*Submission of completed application packet

For more information or to obtain an application, please contact the West Virginia Legislature’s Graduate Student Internship Committee at any of the following:

Grad Student Internship E-mail Addresses:
mullij@mail.wvnet.edu

Grad Student Internship Mailing Address:
GSIC, West Virginia Legislature,
Room 240-M, State Capitol,
Charleston, West Virginia 25305.