Who we are
The Office of Governmental Relations is the liaison between all levels of government and Florida State University. Special emphasis is placed on monitoring the Florida legislative process, from which the University receives a majority of its funding. The Governmental Relations staff is committed to informing the University community of key legislative issues of interest and impact. In addition to our advocacy efforts, with the support of President McCullough, in 2022 our office established the FSU Legislative Internship Program to provide our students with the opportunity to engage with the Florida political process.
About the Program
Florida State University is proud to announce that the application for the 2025 FSU Legislative Internship Program is now open! This internship program, which begins during legislative committee weeks in January and continues into the 60-day Legislative Session, will provide undergraduate and graduate students at Florida State University the opportunity to gain valuable experience in Florida’s legislative process here in Tallahassee, Florida.
Participating students will learn all about how policy, the state’s economy and politics are deeply intertwined in Florida’s legislative process. Duties may include conducting research, writing bill summaries, attending committee hearings; and communicating with legislators, state agency liaisons, lobbyists, constituents, and members of the general public. While we encourage the offices opting into our program to give interns work related to the legislative process on policy and budget, students should expect that administrative duties, as well as constituent services, will be part of their experience as these are vital to the process. Actual job duties will differ from office to office.
Placements may include internships in the State Senate, The House of Representatives, or the Executive Office of the Governor. Students will receive a scholarship of $3,300 for participation in the program, which includes $300 to offset parking and transportation costs. Participants will receive the scholarship via two deposits into their FSU student business services account, 50 percent will be deposited prior to the start of their internship in January, and 50 percent will be deposited prior to legislative session in March. To receive this scholarship, students must continue to be enrolled at least part time, which is defined as being enrolled in at least six-credit hours, during the spring semester. The requirement for part-time enrollment may be met through academic credit earned through this internship, as approved by your academic advisor. Students interested in applying for this internship should reach out to their academic advisors now to see how this internship might fit into their academic map and to sketch out a tentative spring schedule.
In addition to the internship itself, this program offers a range of supplementary learning opportunities that participants are mandated to engage in. These structured sessions serve to enhance participants' comprehension of the Florida legislative process while fostering both personal and professional development.
Strong candidates are expected to be:
- Punctual
- Responsible
- Self-directed
- Organized
- Respectful
Current Florida State students are eligible to apply provided they have a minimum 3.0 FSU Cumulative GPA and have completed at least one semester at FSU. Students with a desire to learn about public policy and politics should apply.
Below is the Internship Schedule:
- Committee Weeks- January 6, 2025- February 28, 2025 (Tentative as legislature has not released schedule)
- Legislative Session- March 4, 2025- May 2, 2025
During committee weeks and the 60-day Legislative Session, students will have the opportunity to be at the Capitol for up-to 40 hours per week in order to fully absorb the legislative process. Prior to the start of the internship, our staff will hold a three-day, intensive, in-person training workshop to prepare students on what they can expect, and what will be expected of them during their legislative internship. Students participating in the program must be at all trainings, unless provided an excused absence.
Please see the full day internship training schedule below:
- Friday, November 15, 2024
- Friday, November 22, 2024
- Friday, January 10, 2025
We encourage applicants to initiate conversations with their academic advisors in order to determine how this program could be eligible for full or partial academic credit. Applicants who are selected to be interviewed will be asked by the selection committee to explain how this internship will fit into their academic plan and whether they will be pursuing academic credit for participating in this program, as discussed with their academic advisor. Specifically, it is important that participation in this internship program does not delay a student’s four-year graduation plan.
Applications must be completed online by Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 11:59pm Eastern time. Applications will not be considered if incomplete or submitted after the deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all documents have been submitted before the deadline. Any applicants who are invited to interview and need access to free professional attire suitable for the workplace may make an appointment with the ProfessioNole Clothing Closet, located at the Career Center on the third floor of the Dunlap Success Center.
Is this a paid internship?
While this internship is not paid, the program provides each participant with a $3,300 scholarship, which includes $300 to offset parking and transportation costs. The scholarship will be deposited into participant’s FSU student business services account via two deposits, 50 percent will be deposited in January prior to the start of their internship, and 50 percent will be deposited in March, prior to legislative session.
What if my class schedule does not allow me to be at the Capitol for 40 hours a week?
While we encourage all participants work with their academic advisor on their spring schedule in order to maximize their time at the Capitol, school comes first. Students who are not able to receive full time credit for their legislative internship through their academic program should talk to their academic advisor to see if online or evening classes might be a good option. At a minimum, students should strive to be at the Capitol for at least 20-30 hours per week to make the most of their learning experience.
What duties should I expect as a legislative intern?
Students participating in the program will have an array of duties depending on the needs of the participating office. While we encourage the offices opting into our program to give interns work related to the legislative process on policy and budget, students should expect that administrative duties, as well as constituent services, will be part of their experience as these are vital to the process.
Will I be able to choose where I am placed for my internship?
Our office (Governmental Relations) will determine internship placements. As an intern, it is important to remember that the purpose of the internship is to learn the legislative process, and that can be accomplished in any of the offices taking part in our program. While neither interns nor offices select their placement, our office will consider policy interests, student skills, and an office’s needs when considering placements.
What if I have zero experience in an office setting, am I still eligible to participate in this legislative internship?
Absolutely! We expect that for many participants this will be the first time in a professional, office setting. This is why we have built a training curriculum to help prepare students for this internship.
What if I am not chosen to participate in the legislative internship?
This is a competitive program, and although we would love to place all applicants, our limit is based on how many offices opt-in to participate. We encourage students to explore the NoleNetwork Portal to see what other internships they can apply for to have multiple chances of securing a spring internship.
Is transportation provided for interns?
While the internship program will not provide a shuttle from campus, the scholarship can be used to offset transportation costs associated with commuting to the Capitol if the student does not have an outstanding balance with the university. Program participants who would like to drive to the Capitol can use $300 from their scholarship to purchase a Kleman Plaza Parking Pass for the duration of the internship program. Kleman Plaza is located across the street from the Capitol.
Is there a dress code for this internship program?
Yes! Interns are expected to dress in business attire. We will go more into depth on this topic during our training series. Students who are invited to participate in the internship program who may need access to free professional attire suitable for the workplace may make an appointment with the ProfessioNole Clothing Closet, located the Career Center on the third floor of the Dunlap Success Center. In addition, the scholarship provided through participation in this program may help alleviate cost associated with acquiring appropriate business attire, if the student does not have an outstanding balance with the university.
I noticed that a LinkedIn profile is part of the application process, but I do not have a LinkedIn account, what should I do?
The Capitol culture is accustomed to connecting with peers through LinkedIn so having a LinkedIn profile will be imperative to a student’s success in this program. Students that do not have one, can refer to this how-to guide. Please know that applications will not be judged on the maturity of the profile or how many people are currently in the profile’s network. However, it is important that the LinkedIn profile is well set up to be used during the internship.
I noticed the application requires a resume, but I do not have one, what should I do?
Creating a resume is an important first step toward beginning a professional career. Here at FSU, there are plenty of resources to help students create an impressive resume. Please reach out to the FSU Career Center for more information and guidance on creating a resume.
Will I have any contact or support from FSU staff during my internship?
Absolutely! During the internship, our staff will have Friday check-ins with program participants. In addition, interns will see our Government Relations team constantly around the Capitol. Participants will also have a coordinator’s personal cell phone in case any immediate assistance is needed.
Will this internship lead to a job at the Capitol or with the FSU Governmental Relations office?
While participation in the FSU Legislative Internship Program will not entitle the intern to a paid job at the conclusion of the internship, the internship is an opportunity for FSU students to learn about and gain valuable experience in Florida’s legislative process, which will likely make them more marketable in their future job search.