10 Political Science Internships for High School Students

Do you dream of applying to law school? Or running for office? Are you passionate about standing up for other people’s rights? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, political science may be the field for you!

Perhaps it goes without saying that political science is a competitive field. That’s why internship opportunities are so important. Whether you're interning for the Mayor of NYC, working for your local city government, or volunteering for a campaign, there are lots of opportunities for high schoolers to get involved in politics. 

In this article, we’ll focus on political science internships for high school students. Internships play an important role in your future career, because they help you build your resume, gain relevant skills, and engage in various networking opportunities. 

Why Political Science Internships Are Crucial for High School Students

Are you passionate about government, law, or public policy? Whether you dream of becoming a lawyer, running for office, or working in public service, political science internships offer high school students a valuable opportunity to explore the field and gain hands-on experience. Not only do internships provide a deeper understanding of how government and law function, but they also offer essential networking opportunities and skills that will help you stand out in college applications and beyond.

Hands-On Experience in Government and Law

Political science internships are more than just résumé boosters — they provide real-world experience in the areas of government, law, and public policy. By working directly with professionals in these fields, students get the chance to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, helping them develop a stronger understanding of how policies are created, enforced, and evaluated.

Explore Your Interests in Real-World Settings

Internships allow you to immerse yourself in specific areas of political science, whether it's working with local governments, assisting political campaigns, or researching legal frameworks. This hands-on experience is invaluable for discovering your interests and gaining insights into what career path you want to pursue. Interning at a local government office, for example, can provide first-hand exposure to public administration, while working for a nonprofit or political advocacy group allows you to engage with public policy issues that matter to you.

Networking Opportunities to Advance Your Career

Internships offer unparalleled networking opportunities, which can play a crucial role in shaping your future career. During your internship, you'll work alongside professionals, peers, and mentors who share your passion for politics. These connections can lead to valuable recommendations, mentorship, and even future job opportunities.

Build Relationships with Industry Professionals

Whether you’re working for a campaign, a law office, or a government agency, the people you meet during your internship can serve as important contacts for the future. Interns often gain access to influential professionals who can offer career advice, serve as references, or introduce you to other opportunities. This networking can be especially valuable when applying to college programs, scholarships, or jobs in the political field.

How to Find the Right Political Science Internship

The best way to decide which political science internship is right for you, is to ask yourself why you want a political science internship in the first place? In other words, what interests you about politics? Is there a political or social cause you are passionate about? Are you intrigued by political campaigns? Do you dream of becoming a journalist? Or a lawyer? 

Whether it’s government, law, public policy, activism, or international relations, there are lots of ways to get involved in politics while you’re still in high school. And political science internships are a great way to familiarize yourself with prospective careers. 

So, after you’ve narrowed down your focus by identifying your passions within politics, you can start looking at more specific internship details. Like time commitment, whether the opportunity is remote or in-person, and whether the position is paid, unpaid, or offers academic credit. 

Resources For Finding Internships

There are lots of places where you can look for political internships — beyond just typical job platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn. To start off, you’ll want to look at government, nonprofit, and advocacy websites. Depending on your goals and interests, you may even want to look into various pre-college summer programs as well, such as these 7 Ivy League Summer Programs for High Schoolers.

10 Political Science Internships for High School Students

Now, let’s take a look at 10 of the top political science internships for high school students! And if none of these feel like a great fit, don’t worry! We’ll review other ways for you to gain political science experience later on in this article.  

1. Mercer County Administration Building - Student Internship Program 

The Mercer County Student Internship Program provides students with the chance to work closely with county officials, gaining insight into local government operations in the process. In addition to gaining practical work experience and exploring various careers within the public sector, interns participate in a structured training series that focuses on topics such as public speaking, financial literacy, and resume writing. 

Location: Trenton, New Jersey

Eligibility: 15-18

Program Dates: Summer

Application Deadline: April 12th, 2025  

2. City of New Haven Internship Program 

New Haven Student Interns will have the opportunity to work with various city departments in order to contribute to specific projects addressing ongoing community needs. Internships may vary depending on the specific needs of the city departments at any given time. Students receive an hourly wage ($15.75 – $16.50) and are permitted to work 35 hours a week during the summer or 19 hours a week during the school year. 

Location: New Haven, CT

Eligibility: Students ages 16-18

Program Dates: Summer

Application Deadline: TBD

3. Governor’s Scholars Program  

The Governor's Scholars Program is a 5-week residential summer program where high school juniors take three academic classes and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities. This program is highly-selective and opens the door for scholarship opportunities in the future. Students must be nominated by their school before applying and accepted students participate free of charge. 

Location: Three college campuses throughout Kentucky (specific campuses vary per year)

Eligibility: Rising seniors residing in Kentucky

Program Dates: Summer

Application Deadline: TBD

4. U.S. Senate Page Program

The U.S. Senate Page Program is a prestigious program where high school juniors have the unique opportunity to serve in the U.S. Senate. In addition to gaining first-hand exposure to the legislative process and assisting Senators in their daily activities, pages participate in educational and recreational field trips throughout Washington D.C. while the Senate is in recess. There are only 30 page positions available and pages must be sponsored by a Senator. Therefore, students interested in this program should write to their Senators requesting that they be considered for this program. 

Location: Washington D.C.

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors

Program Dates: June 8th - June 27th, 2025 (Summer Session 1) | July 8th - August 1st, 2025 (Summer Session 2) | September 1st - January 23th, 2026 (Fall 2025)

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by office

5. State Senate Page Program

Similar to the U.S. Senate program, state-level pages support local legislators, providing administrative assistance and learning about state legislation and governance during their tenure. Specific details vary by state.

Location: Varies by state

Eligibility: Varies by state

Program Dates: Varies by state

Application Deadline: Varies by state

6. Princeton University - PUPP Scholars Program 

The Princeton University Preparatory Program, also known as the PUPP Scholars Program, is a multi-year, tuition-free program for low-income high school freshmen who are on track to become first-generation college students. Applicants must attend one of the program’s partner schools. Once selected, students attend three six-and-a-half week summer institutes at Princeton University, as well as participate in school-year programming. 

Location: Princeton, New Jersey

Eligibility: Low-income high school freshmen attending one of the partner schools

Program Dates: Summer

Application Deadline: TBD

7. The City and County of San Francisco High School Internships 

Students with paid San Francisco Internships work within various city departments, applying their skills to real-world challenges while learning about urban governance and public administration in a dynamic environment.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Eligibility: Students ages 14-18

Program Dates: Summer

Application Deadline: February 17, 2025

8. NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program 

The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program provides high school students with the opportunity to work on projects within the Mayor’s Office. High school interns are paid an hourly wage of $16.50 and assist with daily operations of the city government, helping develop policies that impact New Yorkers in the process.

Location: New York City, NY

Eligibility: Students ages 16+ enrolled in school; must be residents of NYC.

Program Dates: June – August (Summer Term) | September – April (Fall/Spring Term)

Application Deadline: March 30, 2025 (for Summer Term)

9. Pasquines Internships 

Focused on political journalism, Pasquines Internships allow students to engage with media and political analysis, helping them develop writing and reporting skills while examining political issues in depth. This is an unpaid, virtual internship. College credit may be arranged, however, if desired. 

Location: Virtual

Eligibility: Anyone is eligible to apply.

Program Dates: Ongoing

Application Deadline: Rolling admission

10. Foreign Policy Research Institute Internship Opportunities 

Through various FPRI Internships, students will have the opportunity to conduct research and analysis on foreign policy issues, gaining insights into global affairs and the role of diplomacy in the process. Generally, there are four types of internships offered: Research Interns, Special Events/Development Interns, Communications Interns, and Marketing Interns. Some internships are paid, while others are volunteer positions. 

Location: Virtual and in-office (Philadelphia, PA)

Eligibility: Varies based on internship.

Program Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions

Application Deadline: TBD

Tips for Applying to Political Science Internships

If you have political aspirations, you’ll want to start working on your resume as soon as possible! This means finding a political science internship while you’re still in high school. While landing an internship may feel less intimidating than applying to law school, it is still an important process and should be taken seriously. In order to help you succeed, we’ve come up with 4 tips to help you apply for all of your internships: 

1. Building a Strong Resume

First, you’ll need to build a strong resume. Highlight relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and leadership experience. If you’re a member of Model UN or Student Council, include it! You’ll also want to emphasize your research, writing, and communication skills. So if you’ve written a lengthy research paper or have had any work featured in a student publication, make sure to include it. And remember, you’re still in high school, so no one’s expecting you to have a robust resume. Just keep it concise and professional.

2. Writing a Compelling Cover Letter

While your resume may feel a bit sparse, your cover letter is your place to shine! Showcase your passion, determination, and work ethic by expressing why the internship excites you and what you hope to learn from the experience. You’ll also want to highlight any relevant skills, experiences, or school projects that align with the internship’s requirements. Finally, make sure you tailor your cover letter for each internship. After all, you want your cover letters to feel personal and specific, so avoid reusing the same exact cover letter for multiple internships. 

3. Preparing for the Interview

Start by researching the organization and understanding its mission and values. Think about potential questions you might be asked and practice your answers, focusing on experiences that showcase your skills and enthusiasm. Don’t forget to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer, as this shows your genuine interest. On the day of the interview, dress appropriately (even if the interview is virtual), arrive on time, and remember to be yourself!

4. Meeting Deadlines & Following Up

Staying organized and meeting deadlines is crucial during your internship application process. Double-check requirements and use a planner to keep track of your progress. This will help ensure that you submit everything on time. It’s also a great practice to send a thank-you note or email after your interview to express your appreciation for the opportunity and to reiterate your interest in the position. Not only does this follow-up signal your professionalism, but it also helps you stand out from your peers. 

Make the Most of Your Political Science Internship

To get the most out of your political science internship, it's essential to stay proactive and engaged. Here are some tips to ensure you make the most of this experience:

1. Stay Engaged and Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek out opportunities to learn more. Political science internships are a chance to gain insight from professionals in the field, so take advantage of this by asking about their career paths and seeking advice for your own.

2. Keep a Journal of Your Experiences

Documenting your experiences will not only help you reflect on what you’ve learned but also serve as a valuable resource when updating your résumé and applying to future internships or colleges.

3. Network with Your Colleagues and Supervisors

Take time to build relationships with your colleagues and supervisors. These connections can become mentors, references, or future job contacts. Networking is essential for advancing in any field, especially in politics and law.

Alternative Ways to Gain Political Science Experience

While landing a political science internship is a great way to explore politics, there are other ways to gain relevant experience. Take a look at some of the alternative suggestions listed below:

• Volunteering for political campaigns or local government offices.

• Joining debate clubs or Model UN.

• Taking online political science courses.

• Conducting independent research or writing for school publications.

• Participating in youth leadership programs.

Final Thoughts: Kickstart Your Political Science Career

Not only will political science internships help you develop exceptional research, communication, and leadership skills, but they will also provide you with lots of networking opportunities. Which may lead to further opportunities, such as scholarships, mentorships, and perhaps even jobs. Overall, internships are great ways to explore potential careers while bolstering your resume. So start researching and applying to internships today! After all, the earlier you start, the more opportunities you’ll be able to consider. 

And in the meantime, check out the different research programs Polygence has to offer, including our Research Mentorship Program and our Polygence Pods. By pairing students with top-tier research mentors, Polygence encourages students to explore a topic of their choosing in-depth. For more information, peruse our list of research program mentors and check out some past student research projects.