The Panetta Institute for Public Policy offers a golden opportunity for university students to get an inside look at the workings of the U.S. Congress and Washington politics.

Offered during the fall semester, our Congressional Internship Program begins with an intensive two-week course here at California State University, Monterey Bay, with elected officials and other seasoned government staff explaining how the legislative process actually works. Then each intern is assigned to work for two and a half months in a Capitol Hill office of a member of the California congressional delegation.

Each September, the Panetta Institute hosts students who are appointed by the presidents of each of the twenty-three CSU campuses, as well as Santa Clara University and Dominican University of California. Participants go on to live in the Washington, D.C. area from late September through mid-December while working on Capitol Hill.

“There’s just no substitute for this kind of firsthand experience,” says Institute director Sylvia Panetta, “and we’ve had tremendous cooperation from our members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – in working with our students.”

The Institute covers program costs including CSUMB campus services during orientation, air travel and housing in Washington.  Interns earn up to 20 semester credits. Each intern also receives a stipend to help cover other expenses.

Please contact us for more information.