Program Benefits

The Public Policy Internship Program offers many benefits from free housing, to academic credit, to gaining first-hand policy experience, to getting connected with the Aggie network! Most of all, a PPIP internship will give you a chance to try out a potential career in the world of policy!

This is your chance to gain real work experience that many employers are looking for today.  Let PPIP be the experience that opens doors to your future!  To learn more about all PPIP has to offer, check out the benefits below.
 
Paid Internship
Housing Provided
Academic Credit
Policy Experience
Opportunity to Network
Resume Building
Training & Support
Washington, D.C.
   This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns.
International locations
 
  
This benefit is offered by the program to interns.
This benefit is offered by the program to interns.
This benefit is offered by the program to interns.
This benefit is offered by the program to interns.
This benefit is offered by the program to interns.
Austin, Texas
 This benefit is offered by the program to interns.   This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns. This benefit is offered by the program to interns.

Housing

PPIP provides housing for its Washington, D.C. interns. These fully-furnished intern apartments are located in Arlington, Virginia, which is a short 15-25 minute Metro ride from Capitol Hill and downtown D.C. The neighborhood is close to shopping centers, grocery stores, restaurants, dry cleaning, and public transportation.  Everything you need is right at your fingertips! Learn more about intern housing in Washington, D.C. 

Stipend

Participants in the Austin program will receive a monthly stipend of $1000 from their hosting office.  Students should plan for payroll deductions, including taxes, when creating their monthly budgets.

 

Academic Credit

Stay on track for graduation!

PPIP interns are required to enroll in UGST 492: Co-op in Public Policy. This is a one-credit hour co-op course administered by PPIP via eCampus. Enrollment in the UGST 492 course will classify the student as full-time with the Registrar's office, even if the student is enrolled in fewer than 12 hours during the internship semester. Please note that this is not the same as being considered full-time for financial aid purposes.
 
Students may enroll in additional coursework during their internship semester; however, please bear in mind that you will be working 40 hours a week. PPIP staff recommends enrolling in no more than six (6) cumulative hours during the internship. You are highly encouraged to meet with your academic advisor if you have any questions about receiving course credit while interning with PPIP. 

Graduating Seniors

Need a gap semester before starting graduate school or entering the professional arena? Participate in either the Washington, D.C. or Austin, Texas program the semester after you graduate!

Graduating seniors may intern with either of the domestic programs (D.C. or Austin) after finishing their degree. PPIP staff will have you flagged as a "U5 - postbaccalaureate undergraduate" (continuing student) with the Registrar's Office, which allows you to participate in the program post-graduation. May graduates may intern with PPIP in either the summer or fall, August graduates are eligible to participate in the fall, and December graduates are eligible for the spring.

Graduate and doctoral students cannot intern with PPIP after they graduate.

Policy Knowledge

The economy, education, health care, transportation, housing, the environment, energy, jobs — virtually every aspect of daily life is affected by public policy decisions at all levels of government. Who makes important policy decisions, in what manner, and based on what evidence or criteria are issues of utmost importance, especially as public problems grow ever more complex, interconnected, global, and multi-generational. These challenges demand rigorous analysis, the capacity to weigh multiple and often equally compelling policy choices, and a subtle understanding of the strategies needed to turn policy choices into meaningful impact. PPIP interns will gain a macro-level understanding of policy as well as participate in the policy process as a result of their experience.

Once selected into the program, participants will meet one-on-one with staff members to explore interests related to their academic major and career goals. These discussions will assist in finding a good fit with one of our numerous hosting organizations. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid eligibility varies between students. It is the responsibility of the intern to meet with an advisor from the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office to discuss how participation in PPIP will affect the student's financial aid and scholarship eligibility. Please note that classification as a full-time student with the Registrar's Office does not necessarily mean that you are considered full time for scholarship or financial aid purposes.

Networking

As a PPIP intern you can take advantage of opportunities to meet professionals working in your area of interest, helping to hone your leadership skills and learn about career development. Interacting daily with co-workers and community members will polish your communication skills, giving you knowledge that will make you an asset in any other position in your future! As a full-time staff member of your office, you have an outstanding training ground to practice your professional skills and start building your career network!

Resumé Building

Internships are now a vital part of a successful college education. Internships are about gaining experience and making contacts in the professional world. They are about learning how to adapt in a new environment and interacting with professionals. Once accepted to the program, program staff will meet with you as a cohort and individually to enhance your resume, cover letters, and policy papers. When interviewing for jobs, it is important that your potential employer sees you have practical work experience. Not only will you have work experience, you will have a semester of full-time employment!

Policy affects everything! Therefore, having a policy-related internship on your résumé shows potential employers that you understand this critical building block. Interning away from Aggieland shows your ability to adapt to new environments, improve your cultural competencies, and contribute to our world as a global citizen.

Training & Support

Starting a new job, moving to a new city, and learning the ropes can be tough; but the Public Policy Internship Program helps you navigate the road to success!

Never been to Austin or D.C.? New to the professional working environment? Don’t know much about the policy process? That’s okay! The PPIP staff is here to help you each step of the way: before, during, and after your internship.

Before leaving campus…

  • The PPIP staff assists you in selecting where to send your application materials as well as editing your resume, essay, and cover letters so the offices to which you apply see your best work.
  • As a PPIP intern, you will attend multiple socials (3 – 5) to meet the other Aggie interns, get to know the program staff, and receive help in preparing for your internship, including travel and living advice.
  • You will complete a day-long training session with program staff, former interns, and other knowledgeable speakers to learn about what to expect in and out of the office.

During your internship…

  • You can participate in events with speakers and get connected with the Aggie Network to learn more about how to make the most of your internship semester.
  • You will attend both mandatory and optional meetings with the Resident Assistant and program director to check-in throughout the semester and ensure a good experience.
  • There is an outstanding network of resources and contacts for you to make the most of your internship semester. Former PPIP interns, the local A&M Clubs, the Texas A&M Research Foundation, and many others are ready and willing to help PPIP interns!

After your internship…

  • Whether you return to campus, take a job in Austin/D.C. or elsewhere, or go on to attend professional school, the PPIP network will continue to be a resource for you.
  • Interns who return to campus will have many opportunities to share their experience with other students Texas A&M University at career fairs and other social events.

Before leaving campus…

  • You will meet with program staff and receive help in getting ready for your internship, including travel, visa, and living advice.

  • Although PPIP does not provide housing to our international interns, you will be given assistance in looking for places to live during your internship.

  • You will complete a training day with PPIP staff and other guest speakers to learn about what to expect in and out of the office while abroad.

Once abroad…

  • The program staff will check in with you throughout the semester to help ensure a good experience.

  • There is an Aggie network abroad that you can use as a resource to make the most of your internship semester.

Following your internship abroad…

  • Whether you return to campus, take a job abroad or elsewhere, or go on to attend professional school, the PPIP network will continue to be a resource for you.

  • Interns who return to campus will have many opportunities to share their experience with other students. Former interns also assist with recruiting efforts.