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Internship Opportunities

The Council of State Governments (www.csg.org) is our nation’s only membership organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. Founded in 1933, CSG is the oldest national organization serving the policy and leadership needs of this unique constituency—all elected and appointed state officials across the three branches of government in all 50 states and the six U.S. Territories. The Council of State Governments headquarters office is located in Lexington, Kentucky with regional and specialty offices located in Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

O'Connor Scholars Program

The Council of State Governments provides students unique paid internship opportunities through the O’Connor Scholars Program to gain real-world experience in communicating public policy research and analysis across a wide range of policy areas within the CSG Center of Innovation. Scholars will have the opportunity to engage with ongoing policy projects focused on providing state leaders policy options and solutions derived from evidence-based practice, non-partisan research, and peer to peer learning. Scholars will also receive opportunities for exploring new policy areas of interest, and strengthen skills around grant writing, professional development, and strategic relationship building. Scholars should expect challenging work assignments throughout their internship experience. Those selected may also have the opportunity to publish original content under the CSG brand. Applicants should also be comfortable communicating directly with state leaders and their staff via email and phone. Scholars work directly with program staff in the CSG Center of Innovation as well as other CSG departments such as communications, advancement, finance, and executive management. CSG is currently offering remote paid internships. Scholars will collaborate with team members and report to supervisors using teleconferencing technology. Work assignments will remain the same and staff will continue to provide the same level of direction and support to scholars.

Roosevelt Fellows Program

The Council of State Governments provides students unique paid internship opportunities through the Roosevelt Fellows program to gain real-world experience in communicating public policy research and analysis across a wide range of policy areas within the CSG Center of Innovation. Fellows will have the opportunity to engage with ongoing policy projects focused on providing state leaders policy options and solutions derived from evidence-based practice, non-partisan research, and peer to peer learning. Fellows will also receive opportunities for exploring new policy areas of interest, and strengthen skills around grant writing, professional development, and strategic relationship building. Fellows should expect challenging work assignments throughout their internship experience. Those selected may also have the opportunity to publish original content under the CSG brand. Applicants should also be comfortable communicating directly with state leaders and their staff via email and phone. Roosevelt fellows work directly with program staff in the CSG Center of Innovation as well as other CSG departments such as communications, advancement, finance, and executive management. CSG is currently offering remote paid internships to students. Fellows will collaborate with team members and report to supervisors using teleconferencing technology. Work assignments will remain the same and staff will continue to provide the same level of direction and support to students.

Application & Selection Process

The Council of State Governments accepts applications for paid internship positions year-round. Interested students may apply by submitting a résumé, cover letter explaining their career interests and goals, one writing sample and two references to the address listed below or via email to Cathy Burnett at [email protected].

Contact Information

Students interested in applying for a paid fellowship position at The Council of State Governments may contact:

To Apply

Cathy Burnett
Grants and Business Manager
The Council of State Governments
1776 Avenue of the States
Lexington, KY 40511
(859) 244-8180
[email protected]