Public Policy and Government Internship Opportunities

"As a Congressman and engineer, I am very pleased to see the engineering societies help future leaders of the engineering profession learn about the role of public policy in science and technology." Rep. Joe Barton (Texas)

Washington Internships for Students of Engineering (WISE)
WISE is a summer internship program in engineering and public policy. Up to sixteen third-year engineering students are selected in a nationwide competition to spend 10 weeks during the summer in Washington, DC, learning how engineers contribute to public policy decisions on complex technology issues.  Each year, IEEE sponsors 2-4 IEEE U.S. student members in the WISE Program.   For more information on the program and how to apply, visit the official WISE home page.  For information on IEEE's participation in the WISE program, contact Chris Brantley, Manager of Government Affairs, IEEE-USA, 1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20036, by phone at (202) 785-0017, by fax at (202) 785-0835, or by e-mail at c.brantley@ieee.org (Internet).

ANSER, a not-for-profit public interest research institute based in Arlington, Virginia seeks summer interns willing to work on research and technology management projects in the areas of defense acquisition, military operations, information technology, and aerospace systems.

The National Academies of Science and Engineering offer the Christine Mirzayan Internship Program, which engage graduate and postdoctoral science, engineering, medical, veterinary, business, and law students in science and technology policy and to familiarize them with the interactions between science, technology, and government.  The program runs in two sessions: 12 weeks beginning in January and 10 weeks beginning in June.

The Science Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives offers unpaid internships to students interested in learning first-hand how our nation's science and technology policies are developed and implemented legislatively.The United States Department of State offers Science and Technology Internships for students with "an interest in international relations and the challenges of applying and controlling technology in building a peaceful and sustainable world."The State Science and Technology Institute offers Internships for upper level undergraduate or graduate students interested in learning how state governments promote economic development through the application of science and technology by local business and industry.The Washington Intern Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals locate and successfully perform internships on Capitol Hill and in the Washington, DC area.If you have a strong interest in combining your technical interests with public policy, you may wish to consider pursuing a specialized graduate degree. Consult AAAS' Guide to Graduate Education in Science, Engineering and Public Policy for more information.

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Last Update:  10 February 2005
Staff Contact: Chris Brantley, c.brantley@ieee.org