U.S. Department of State Internships

This is a paid internship with the opportunity to work in U.S. embassies and consulates throughout the world, as well as in various bureaus located in Washington, D.C. and at Department offices around the United States. This program is designed to provide substantive learning experiences in a foreign affairs environment.

While the duties of the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program participants vary from bureau to bureau, office to office, and embassy to embassy, it is not uncommon for these students to:

• Participate in meetings with senior-level U.S. Government or foreign government officials
• Draft, edit, or contribute to cables, reports, communications, talking points, or other materials used by policymakers in furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives
• Support events, including international and/or multilateral meetings and conferences or
• Engage directly with U.S. audiences in helping to explain the work of the Department of State or foreign audiences in helping to promote U.S. foreign policy and improve understanding of U.S. culture and society.

Learn more on their website.

Varies:

• October for Summer
• February for Fall
• July for Spring

Applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have a minimum 3.2 GPA    
• Be able to receive either a Public Trust, Secret or Top Secret clearance
• Be a Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) or Graduate Students

Applicants may also be required to undergo random drug testing.

Those interested in applying for the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program must begin by visiting the Student Programs section under the Intern tab of Home, clicking the “U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program” and continuing through the “Gateway to State.” The “Gateway to State” button will only be available when an application is open and active. 

Applicants can also go directly to USAJOBS, and search for the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program.