WHY DO AN INTERNSHIP?
A political science or public administration internship requires advance planning, motivation, and often a lot more time than a traditional 3 hour class. Because most internships don't pay and students often commute to Austin or live out-of-town, it also may mean some economic deprivation. So why do one?  For many, internships provide an introduction to professional work. Often students are unaware of opportunities in political science. Working in a legislator's office, state agency, city, or for an interest group can introduce you to a world of possibilities. Many skills, such as constituent service, can be transferred from one level of government to the next. Meeting key individuals and making contacts can lead to employment outside the internship. Sometimes interns perform so well that they are hired by the office supervising the internship. This sure beats pounding the pavement with a resume.