Political Science Department

Capital Region Political Internships

PSC 277 Capital Region Political Internships

In this course, which can be taken in the Fall, Winter, or Spring, students become politically active and/or gain political experience by working for elected officials, government agencies, election campaigns, interest groups, non-profit organizations, lobby firms, etc. Students draw on their internship experience and related academic work to reach a better understanding of the complexities and dynamics of politics at the state or local level.

Student obligation

  • 120 hours of internship work over the 10-week term
  • associated academic work with course director
  • individual and/or group meetings
  • assigned readings
  • written assignments
  • 1-2 evening events, sometimes with a guest speaker

Examples of past placements

  • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Office
  • Senator Charles Schumer’s Office
  • Lieutenant Governor’s Office
  • US Representative Paul Tonko’s office
  • New York State Assembly
  • New York State Senate
  • Schenectady City Clerk
  • Schenectady County Planning Department
  • Schenectady County District Attorney
  • Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation
  • Schenectady County Legislature
  • SKDK Albany (a political public relations firm)
  • US Post Office, Inspector’s Office
  • Citizen Action
  • Alliance for Quality Education, New York
  • Alliance for Clean Energy
  • Center for Community Justice
  • Schenectady Country District Attorney’s Office, Victims Services
  • New York State Attorney General’s Office, Bureau of Consumer Fraud and Investigations
  • Audubon Society