Jim Costa Washington D.C. LEgislative Intern
Scholar Program

Open to all majors

Paid Internship

Full-time

Washington D.C.

The Jim Costa Washington, D.C. Legislative Intern Scholar Program offers qualified college students the opportunity to work full-time in the nation’s capital. Named after Congressman Jim Costa, this prestigious program allows students to actively observe the legislative process while participating in the administrative operations of a San Joaquin Valley U.S. Representative’s office. 

This summer internship, offered from June to August (8 weeks) in Washington, D.C. provides placements with members of the San Joaquin Valley congressional delegation from both sides of the aisle. Maddy Interns assist with legislative research, attend hearings, draft communications, respond to constituent inquiries, give tours of the Capitol, and closely observe the policymaking process.

Important Dates

The application period annually opens in November and closes in December.

Eligilibity

  • Must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
  • Must have completed a minimum of 30 units or be enrolled in a graduate program during the semester of the internship.
  • Must be able to work in Washington, D.C. full-time from June to August.
  • Must act with the highest degree of professionalism and responsibility.
  • Must have a connection to the San Joaquin Valley.
  • Open to all majors.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am not a Political Science major. Can I still apply?

Yes! Our programs are open to all majors.

Is this a paid internship?

Yes! Interns receive $7,000 upon completion of their internship, however, a portion of the scholarship will go toward the housing we provide.

What type of housing is available during the internship?

We will reimburse you for a public transit pass to commute to your office site. Unfortunately, we do not reimburse travel fees to and from Washington, D.C. from your city of residence.

Are the internships remote or in-person?

Our internships are in-person, but depending on your assigned office, you may experience occasional remote work.

Can I apply to more than one program at a time?

Yes! You can apply to any of our open programs, but please note that each program has a separate application.

What will I need to do before I start my internship?  

Once accepted as an intern, we will send you onboarding paperwork and you will be required to attend an orientation at our office. Some offices will require that you complete separate onboarding paperwork in addition to ours.

When will the internship begin?

For our summer internships, you can expect to start in early June and end in early August. You will work with your assigned office supervisor to determine an official start and end date.

What types of tasks will I be assigned during my internship?

Possible intern responsibilities include attending hearings, researching legislative issues, responding to constituent inquiries, processing tour and flag requests, opening and routing incoming mail, giving tours of the Capitol, and performing general office duties.

You may wish to work with your assigned office supervisor on determining more specialized projects and attending events that pertain to your interests.

Will I receive training?

First, our internships do not require ANY experience. For this reason, we hold an orientation at our office and provide you with a detailed handbook for extra information before your official start date. The Maddy Institute staff are also a great resource if you have questions!