“My experience with a Hinckley Internship was incredible, it allowed me to take the knowledge I learn in classes and apply it to my true interests and build connections for future jobs!” -Rosalie Staes, Community Foundations of Utah, Spring 2011.
LOCAL INTERNSHIPS
The Hinckley Institute of Politics sends approximately 90 students every year to a wide variety of campaign, government, and non-profit organizations in the Salt Lake City area. Students must register for at least three hours of course credit to participate. Internships are available all semesters and open to students of all majors.
Once you are placed in an office, you will work with the host office to arrange a work schedule. Most host offices are flexible with scheduling and understand that students are juggling a class and work schedule. We recommend you arrange your schedule so that you are interning for four-to-six-hours blocks several days per week.
CAMPAIGN INTERNSHIPS
Hinckley interns play important roles in local election campaigns, and the Hinckley Institute and offers a Minor in Campaign Management to enhance the campaign experience. Hinckley Interns have served as campaign managers, scheduling coordinators, and volunteer supervisors for races in Utah. Campaigns allow Hinckley Interns to gain experience and participate in the political process. The Hinckley Institute of Politics has placed interns with gubernatorial, legislative, congressional, county, and municipal election candidates.
SEMESTERS OFFERED
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
APPLICATION DEADLINES
FALL 2013: May 31, 2013
WHAT CAMPAIGNS ARE AVAILABLE?
Campaign internships vary by semester. Please contact the Hinckley Institute to see what election campaigns are hosting interns.
ARE THEY PAID?
Students doing a local internship are invited to apply for a Dan Jones Future Leaders, Margaret Rampton, and Pete Suazo Local Internship scholarships. Scholarships are limited in number, students must apply to be considered. Interns will receive scholarship funds after internship has been completed. Applications are generally due the last day of classes of each semester.
Most campaigns are unpaid, however students working on select Democratic campaigns may get a scholarship through the Karen Shepherd Fund.
WHAT ARE THE CREDIT AND WORK REQUIREMENTS?
To be eligible for 3 credit hours of HNKLY 4900 credit you must intern 10-15 hours per week (approximately 140 total hours) and submit a final research paper 8-10 pages long. To be eligible for 6 credit hours of HNKLY 4900 credit you must intern 20-25 hours per week (approximately 280 total hours) and submit a final research paper 14-16 pages long.
WHAT ARE THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS?
Current resume (Click here and here to see a resume example, and here for resume ideas) Also see more information on the University of Utah Career Services webpage by clicking here.
2-4 letters of recommendation (use the recommendation forms or formal letters of recommendation). One must be an academic reference.
Statement of Purpose/Cover Letter (cover letter explaining why you would like to be an intern)
4-5 page writing sample (4-5 page excerpt of a research paper submitted for a class)
Signed academic form
Official University of Utah Transcript obtained from the Registrar’s Office (250 SSB).
GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Many local government offices recruit Hinckley Interns to perform research, correspond with constituents, and help with many other activities. Please see the list and links below for more information.
Federal Government (Local Offices)
Congressman Rob Bishop
Senator Mike Lee
Congressman Jason Chaffetz
Senator Orrin Hatch
Congressman Jim Matheson
Utah State, County, and Municipal Government
Commercial Service Utah
The Utah U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) is dedicated to helping Utah businesses realize their export potential.
Utah Governor's Office
Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development
(Fulfills International Studies Requirement)
Utah Lt. Governor's Office
Utah State Legislature (see State Legislature page)
Utah Attorney General's Office
Third District Juvenile Court
Utah District Court for the District of Utah
Salt Lake County Mayor's Office
Salt Lake County Council
Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office
Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Utah’s largest and longest-serving business association, it stands boldly as the voice of business
Utah Department of Community and Culture
To enhance the quality of life for the people of Utah and to create, preserve and promote community and cultural infrastructures.
Utah Department of Workforce Services Refugees Service Office
The objective of the Refugee Resettlement Program is to provide for the effective resettlement of refugees.
Utah Department of Transportation
UDOT employees are committed to meeting the challenges of Utah's growing transportation needs.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Salt Lake City is home to a number of non-profit organizations dedicated to local and national issues. Please search the list below for more information.
American Cancer Society
Providing programs aimed at reducing the risk of cancer, detecting cancer as early as possible, ensuring proper treatment, and empowering people facing cancer to cope and maintain the highest possible quality of life.
Ascend Alliance
ASCEND, a Humanitarian Alliance is a unique organization where caring people make an individual impact at home and across the world.
CHOICE Humanitarian
CHOICE Humanitarian is ending poverty by focusing on sustainable village development. Our goal is to connect motivated villages to resources and tools to change their lives.
Communites United
Provided assistance to and support for over 150,000 members of the immigrant and refugee community.
Constitutional Principles Policy Council
At the national level, and absent all partisanship, Constitutional Principles Policy Council is dedicated to returning government to the principles of its framers.
Glen Canyon Institute
Nonprofit organization with the mission of restoring a healthy Colorado River through Glen Canyon.
Global Pathways
Global Pathways is seeking an unpaid intern for Fall Semester 2011 to begin August 1, 2011, approximately 5-10 hours per week, to join our excellent student services team. The internship will include with one additional research project related to international studies, recruitment, admissions, student services, and/or retention to be assigned by the intern supervisor.
International Rescue Committee
Provides relief, respect and renewal to refugees and victims of armed conflict around the world.
March of Dimes
Dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
Ouelessbougou-Utah Alliance
Non-profit organization, which works cooperatively with villagers in Ouelessebougou and the surrounding region in Mali, West Africa.
University of Utah Global Health Alliance (UUGHA)
*UU Global Health Alliance Internship offers international internship in Ghana, Africa or Hainan, China the spring semester after a fall internship in SLC.
Utah Rivers Council
The Utah Rivers Council protects Utah's rivers and clean water sources for today's citizens, future generations, and wildlife.
POLITICAL PARTIES
Utah Democratic State Office
Salt Lake County Democratic Party
Republican Party State Office
Salt Lake County Republican Party
LOBBYING/ADVOCACY GROUPS
A number of advocacy groups lobby Congress and bureaucratic organizations to reform existing laws and regulations. Hinckley Interns play an important role in helping these organizations function. Please click on the links of any advocacy organization that interests you.
American Civil Liberties Union
Nonprofit and nonpartisan civil liberty activists.
Bennion Center
Directing projects to address community needs.
Coalition for People with Disabilities
Advocates for public policy affecting all people in Utah who have disabilities.
Common Cause (campaign finance)
Nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization for citizens to make their voices heard in the political process and to hold their elected leaders accountable to the public interest.
Crossroads Urban Center
We help organize low income, disabled, and minority Utahns be advocates on their own behalf.
Disability Law Center
Protection and Advocacy agency for the state of Utah to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Utah.
Exoro
Full-service communications consulting and public relations firm with special emphasis on public agencies and public policy.
Utah Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting and protecting justice by supporting the defense of the constitution and the rights of individuals.
Utah Children
A child advocacy organization that speaks out on behalf of the children of Utah.
Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy
An organization dedicating to the promotion of global understanding and respect between the people of Utah and other nations.
Utah Health Policy Project
UHPP is a resource for the public, community leaders, businesses, health care providers and policy makers interested in strengthening the health care system while working to develop visionary and systemic solutions to the crisis of the uninsured and rising health care costs.
Utah Legal Services
Free civil legal aid programs for individuals and families dealing with poverty, violence in the home, disability, discrimination and other issues.
Utahns Against Hunger
Works to eliminate hunger in Utah
Utah Cultural Alliance
Serves and strengthens the cultural community through advocacy, member services and networking.
Utah Foundation
Promote a thriving economy, a well-prepared workforce, and a high quality of life for Utahns.
Utah Public Employees Association
Advocay group for state and local government employees.
MEDIA INTERNSHIPS
Various media organizations regularly accept Hinckley Interns to aid in the production of political programming.
KUED
The power of public television to engage your mind and enrich your life.
KCPW Public Radio
KCPW public radio, 88.3 FM and 105.3 FM serves the greater Salt Lake Metropolitan area, with local, national and international news and information 24 hours a day.
KUER Radio Station (NPR)
KUER is a non-commercial public radio station licensed to the University of Utah.
ELECTION CAMPAIGN INTERNSHIPS
Please contact the Hinckley Institute to see what election campaigns are hosting interns.
