Senate internship opportunities available

From the office of State Sen. Travis Holdman:

College upperclassmen and recent graduates can set their resumes apart by gaining Statehouse experiences offered through internships with the Indiana Senate Republicans.

Applications for the full-time, spring semester, Senate internships - including legislative and communications opportunities - are available at www.senaterepublicans.in.gov/internship.htm. A resume, two reference letters, college transcripts and a writing sample are required submissions. All complete applications are due Oct. 31.

Senate internships give college students and recent graduates a wide range of experiences they can find few other places. From actually participating in the legislative process to teaming with a public affairs expert or helping solve constituent issues, interns play integral roles in effective state government.

Legislative interns work alongside senators and legislative assistants, responding to constituent calls, letters and e-mails, as well as staffing Senate committees and assisting with floor proceedings. Communications interns gain practical experience, helping press secretaries prepare and distribute news releases, guest columns, letters to the editor, direct mail, e-newsletters, e-invitations, web updates, radio feeds, podcasts and video productions.

Senate interns should plan to live in or near Indianapolis during the internship due to the varied work schedule during the legislative session. Interns earn a $700 bi-weekly stipend to assist with living expenses.

Selected applicants are invited to attend the General Assembly's ceremonial Organization Day on Nov. 22 and officially begin their internships with a mandatory orientation on Dec. 27. Senate internships last the duration of the legislative session, which by law is scheduled to end on or before March 14, 2012.

College Credit:
College credit for the internship varies, depending on individual schools' internship policies. Interested students should meet with school academic advisors to determine academic credits available. To maintain full-time student status, interns frequently arrange correspondence or independent courses. A three-credit-hour state government course, conducted at the Statehouse throughout the internship, is also available.

Scholarship Opportunities:
At the end of each year's legislative session, Verizon Communications offers a $3,000 scholarship to the top intern from each caucus - Republican and Democrat. Additionally, each caucus awards a $1,000 scholarship in memory of longtime Senate staffer Rick Gudal.

More Information:
Interested college students should contact Jennifer Carlton, Senate Majority Intern Director, by email at jcarlton@iga.in.gov, for more information about internships with the Indiana Senate Republicans.