Put Your Conscience to Work Everyday

We all want to make a difference. But too many internships require students to leave their conscience at home. If you want to put your ideals front and center, consider an internship with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) in Washington, D.C.

Started in 1984, U.S. PIRG is the federation of State PIRGs. With approximately 400 staff nationwide, 300,000 members, and 100 chapters based on college campuses across the country, the State PIRGs have been advocating and organizing for public interest issues for more 30 years. We take on the special interests on issues such as product safety, political corruption, prescription drugs, and voting rights where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress. We research problems, write reports, work with the media, build coalitions, lobby decision-makers, and stand up for the public interest through grassroots organizing and litigation.

Click here to learn more about recent U.S. PIRG accomplishments.

Internship Description

Each U.S. PIRG internship offers students a structured experience working one-on-one with one of U.S. PIRG's staff of advocates or campaign organizers—the intern's staff mentor. Interns learn basic skills that allow them to analyze issues and articulate solutions to the pressing problems of the day. Interns learn that activism and participation in the democratic process yield results. Though responsibilities vary, most internships include:

• Conducting research into critical public policy problems and preparing investigative reports;

• Coordinating media events, assisting in the preparation of news releases and opinion pieces;

• Working with coalition partners and PIRG offices to coordinate grassroots campaign activities; and

• Monitoring the progress of legislation in Congress and the actions of federal agencies.

Interns may have the opportunity to attend local, regional and national program briefings and trainings where they learn more about public interest issues and gain political skills. Summer interns participate in "brown bag lunch" discussions with leaders within U.S. PIRG and the State PIRGs, as well as leaders within other organizations.

Although U.S. PIRG internships are unpaid, students may receive academic credit from their college or university. U.S. PIRG will also participate in college work-study programs.

Internships Available

Campaign Internship: Work with U.S. PIRG's campaign and advocacy staff to demonstrate support for U.S. PIRG issues at the state and national level. Over the course of the internship, you will learn the basics of a variety of issues, and then reach out to individuals, media outlets, organizations, and decision-makers to build visibility and gain their support.

Legislative Internship: Over the course of the internship you will work with U.S. PIRG’s advocacy staff gaining in depth knowledge on one or two specific issues. You may help to research and write reports, organize media events, build national coalitions, and lobby governmental or corporate decision-makers in support of specific policy proposals.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to U.S. PIRG issues
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• The ability to debate and speak persuasively
• An enthusiasm for the work

How To Apply

Interested students should e-mail a compelling cover letter, resume, and short writing sample (2-4 pages) to:

Paul Carlson
Internship Coordinator
DCInternships@pirg.org

For your writing sample, please write a persuasive essay responding to a recent article in the news. Select an article that interests you personally. The position you take should be your personal point of view, please do not play devil's advocate.

It should only take up 30 minutes of your time and should be no more than two pages. If you already have a prepared writing sample under two pages that you feel accurately reflects your writing ability for this internship, then you may provide this instead.

For more information call or e-mail Paul Carlson at 202-546-9707 or dcinternships@pirg.org.

We also have internships available in our state offices, to search for other internship opportunities as well as job opportunities visit our jobs page.

For information about on campus internships with PIRG student chapters visit our student chapters Web site.