The 2012 Legislative Internship Class with Governor Sean Parnell
Spend the spring semester working in the Alaska State Legislature in Juneau and earn 12 hours of upper-division credits. The University of Alaska Legislative Internship Program is a first rate academic and practical experience.
This program is open to qualified students from all academic disciplines--not just political science--and any University of Alaska campus (UAA, UAF and UAS).
Since it began in 1988, the program has graduated more than 220 interns. Many of these have gone back to work in the legislature, gotten a job in Congress, in a federal, state or local government agency, or used the experience to advance their educational goals or their careers.
Here's what former interns say about the program:
"Even if you're in the sciences, being a legislative intern helps you understand people better and how projects are funded. Anything you are interested in, the legislature has something to do with it."
"I have been inspired by the positive experience in Juneau. The atmosphere is stimulating and what a valuable opportunity this is for someone who may be interested in local, state and national politics. Truly this Legislative Internship has been the capstone of my collegiate career!"
"I was not a political science major and found out about the legislative internship by taking Intro to American Government. The internship helped me see how Alaska and its politics fit into the national scene. Plus, I got a first-hand practical experience and can now see the relationship between theory and practice in politics."
"The Legislative Internship program is a unique opportunity to learn about the legislative process by being a part of it. The fast-paced working environment of the legislature combined with the rigors of the academic seminar make for a very challenging yet extremely rewarding experience. If you take the program seriously and really apply yourself, you will come away more confident and better prepared to meet the academic and life challenges you will face in the future."
"Combining the classroom experience with real life exposure to a working environment really increases your appreciation for politics, and what an education can do for you."
"The Legislative Internship Program provides a great mix of academic and hands-on work experience. The internship will teach you a lot about politics and Alaska politics in particular, about Alaska, and about people--including yourself."
"It's a hands-on experience. It's stepping outside the classroom. You're getting real-life experience in a situation where it can only benefit you."