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Political Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Political Intern

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$17 - $23/hr

POOLHOUSE, a Republican political and advertising agency, is looking for smart, driven and eager ... Our 10-week paid summer internship is a full-time program for rising college juniors, seniors, and ...

$16 - $21.50/hr

Political Affairs Internship: The role focuses on making poverty a focus of U.S., Canadian and U.K. foreign policy. This is a part-time 12-hours per week, 12 week, unpaid remote internship. If your ...

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Political Internships information

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$26K

$53.2K

$83K

How much do political internships jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for political internships in the United States is $53,230.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $57,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by political interns, and how can they effectively navigate them?

Political interns often encounter fast-paced environments, tight deadlines, and high expectations while balancing multiple tasks such as research, event planning, and constituent communications. Building strong organizational skills and proactively seeking feedback can help interns manage these demands. Additionally, networking with staff and other interns, as well as asking for clarification when unsure, can foster a supportive learning environment and open doors for future opportunities.

What is the difference between Political Internships vs Campaign Assistant?

AspectPolitical InternshipsCampaign Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or college student; relevant courseworkHigh school diploma; experience in campaigns helpful
Work EnvironmentOffices, government buildings, campaign eventsFieldwork, campaign offices, events
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, political organizations, nonprofitsPolitical campaigns, consulting firms
Common Search IntentEntry-level political experience, internshipsCampaign support roles, campaign staff

Political Internships typically focus on gaining experience in government or political organizations, often involving research, administrative tasks, and policy analysis. Campaign Assistants are more involved in supporting specific campaign activities, including event coordination, voter outreach, and logistical support. While both roles support political efforts, internships are more educational and entry-level, whereas campaign assistant roles are more operational during election cycles.

What are political internships?

Political internships are short-term work experiences that provide students or recent graduates with the opportunity to learn about the political process and gain hands-on experience in politics, government, or public policy. Interns may work for elected officials, government agencies, advocacy groups, or political campaigns. Their responsibilities often include conducting research, assisting with communications, organizing events, and supporting administrative tasks. Political internships can be valuable for building networks, understanding how government operates, and exploring potential careers in the political field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Political Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Political Intern, you generally need strong research, writing, and communication skills, often supported by coursework in political science or a related field. Familiarity with office productivity software, social media platforms, and constituent management systems is typically required. Initiative, professionalism, and adaptability are standout soft skills in this environment. These abilities ensure effective support for political staff, meaningful engagement with stakeholders, and a valuable learning experience in the fast-paced world of politics.
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What states have the most Political Internships jobs? States with the most job openings for Political Internships jobs include:

John DiStaso Political Fellowship

Hearst Newspapers

Manchester, NH โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

John DiStaso Political Fellowship

The John DiStaso Political Fellowship is a one-semester paid position at Hearst ABC affiliate WMUR-TV in Manchester, NH.ย  Our Fellow will work closely with members of our political team on several projects including daily political coverage, our 2022 and 2024 election-related coverage, and our weekly political show, "CloseUP".ย  The Fellowship will be awarded to a motivated junior or senior in college who is interested in pursuing a career in political journalism.

More about John DiStaso

John DiStaso was the most experienced political journalist in New Hampshire. He was often referred to as the "dean" of New Hampshire's political press corps. John died from complications of pancreatic cancer on April 21, 2022, at the age of 68.ย  Throughout his career, DiStaso interviewed four sitting presidents and countless presidential candidates while covering 11 New Hampshire primaries. John spent much of his career working for New Hampshire's largest newspaper, "The Union Leader".ย  He spent the last seven years of his career working for WMUR, where he wrote daily for WMUR.com regularly breaking stories.ย  He also often appeared on WMUR-TV to provide analysis for political stories.

The opportunity

In this political fellowship, you'll play a meaningful role on the experienced political team of WMUR. You'll follow in John's footsteps working on daily political coverage. You'll learn from John's enduring legacy, as well as the experienced political team at WMUR to gain the knowledge and experience to launch a successful career in political journalism.

How to qualify

  • Working toward a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Journalism, Communications or a related degree
  • Experience in journalism through internships or college media
  • Goal to work in the field of journalism
  • Excellent writing and research skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Deadline driven
  • Willingness to work various shifts including nights, weekends and holidays
  • You also need to have a strong academic record, and two recommendations from faculty or internship supervisors

How to apply

Please apply on our career site. Include the following documentation in your application:

  • Include the following documentation in your application:
    • A letter expressing interest in the fellowship and promoting your candidacy
    • A summary of your commitment to journalism (one page, single-spaced)
    • A current resume citing work experience and accomplishments
    • A complete academic transcript through your completed semester
    • Two academic or professional recommendations
    • Finalists will be interviewed by phone and either in-person or via video conference

Application deadlines

For the fall fellowship, applications are due by June 15th. For the spring fellowship, applications are due by September 15th. Decisions regarding fall selection will be made in July and decisions regarding spring selection will be made in October.

Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry's premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national, origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.