Get in on the ground floor of the next great American institution - apply now to be a fall intern for the U.S. Public Service Academy!
The Academy Ambassadors program is a paid internship program in Washington, D.C., open to college students or recent graduates interested in helping to build the U.S. Public Service Academy. As an intern, you will help mobilize support for the Academy initiative by educating policymakers, civic leaders, and the American public about the importance of public service, the need to attract a new generation of young people into the public sector, and the value of building a national institution devoted to civilian leadership development. You will work directly with the Academy’s Executive Director to turn this vision into a reality.
We recently hired our Summer 2008 interns — read about them here.
Academy Ambassadors FAQs
Who is eligible to apply?
How do I apply?
What happens after I apply?
What will I do every day?
How long is the Academy Ambassadors program?
Where will I work?
Will I get paid?
How many internships will be offered?
What qualifications are your looking for?
Will this look good on my resume?
Will housing be provided for out-of-state interns?
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: The program is open to college and graduate students who strongly believe in the need for a U.S. Public Service Academy. The application process is competitive, and applicants will be expected to have a solid work ethic, excellent writing and speaking skills, and a strong sense of initiative.
Q: How do I apply?
A: To apply, simply download a copy of our application here. Complete it and return it by February 29, 2008 (for Summer 2008 applicants) or April 15, 2008 (for Fall 2008 applicants). You may either email it to ambassadors@uspublicserviceacademy.org or send it by mail to:
Academy Ambassadors
U.S. Public Service Academy
1225 I (“Eyeâ€) Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Q: What happens after I apply?
A: Applications will be reviewed following the deadlines (February 29 for Summer 2008 applicants and April 15 for Fall 2008 applicants). The strongest applicants will be chosen to participate in a telephone interview, which will be conducted in mid to late March. All applicants will be notified about whether or not they have been accepted to the program by March 31, 2008.
Q: What will I do every day?
A: The Academy Ambassadors program will not be a typical internship. As a summer intern, you will be expected to work a full forty-hour week (fall interns will work part-time), though your schedule will not be predictable. You will be working closely with the Executive Director of the Academy, but most of your work will be done independently. In addition to helping carry out the Academy’s mission, you will have the opportunity to develop and implement Academy-related projects of your own. During any given week, you may participate in a variety of activities, including:
- Making presentations at conferences, events, and meetings
- Meeting with congressional staff members
- Preparing materials for the Academy’s communications
- Blogging and working online to generate support for the Academy
- Participating in our Speaker Series
- Helping to plan and implement the National Youth Conference (summer only)
Q: How long is the Academy Ambassadors program?
A: The summer internship program is eight weeks, from Monday, June 9, to Friday, August 1. The fall internship is three months, from Tuesday, September 2, until Friday, December 5.
Q: Where will I work?
A: You will be based at the Academy’s headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C.
Q: Will I get paid?
A: Yes. Each Academy Ambassador will earn a $3000 stipend — $1500 per month for two months of full-time work during the summer or $1000 per month for three months of part-time work in the fall.
Q: How many internships will be offered?
A: The Academy will hire three full-time summer interns and two part-time fall interns.
Q: What qualifications are you looking for?
A: We are looking for college or graduate students with the following:
- Solid work ethic
- Strong sense of initiative and desire to learn
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong public speaking ability
- Proficiency with Internet research and basic Microsoft Office software programs
Q: Will this look good on my resume?
A: If you are primarily interested in how your resume looks, then you should not apply for the Academy Ambassadors program. We are looking for motivated young people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard to make the Academy a reality.
Q: Is housing provided for out-of-state interns?
A: The Academy will not be responsible for securing housing, but we will help interns find appropriate living arrangements.