Pre Law Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of studyor career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.  

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution. 

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, and recent graduates (individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year) with an interest in global anti-corruption, democracy, and security efforts to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.40, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 32 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. 

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Work location cannot be in any of the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship.  

Democracy Resilience Research Internship

 The topic areas associated with this project include but are not limited to: Democracy resilience, anti-corruption, and security efforts, including legal and political accountability; open government, government ethics, and transparency, accountability, and participation (TAP) initiatives; and financial transparency, financial integrity, and financial inclusion initiatives.

Interns will have the opportunity to learn and/or strengthen a variety of research and analysis skills, such as conducting background research for and fact-checking articles, papers, and other publications (examples from past internship cycles include the 2025 Democracy Playbook and articles related to democracy resilience issues); drafting policy memos and fact sheets; assisting with data collection/entry; formatting citations, editing, and providing other general research support; building annotated bibliographies; compiling bios and developing topic syntheses/backgrounders in advance of stakeholder meetings; providing assistance with social media and event planning; developing questions for key informant interviews; preparing meeting transcripts and readouts; and assisting with other event logistics.

Education/Knowledge/Skills

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year as well as recent graduates (i.e., individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year) working toward a degree in public policy, political science, history, philosophy, pre-law, economics, and/or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Our most successful interns have: A demonstrated interest in democratic resilience; rule of law; anti-corruption; politics; transparency, accountability, and participation; financial integrity; and/or related governance issues; Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Strong writing, analytical, critical thinking, and internet-based research skills; Experience with fact-checking, data entry, citations, and editing; Familiarity with data collection and/or database management;

Strong work ethic and attention to detail; Capacity to work well independently and with other team members; Eagerness to contribute to a fast-paced work environment and willingness to adapt; and Ability to manage competing priorities and evolving assignments.

Additional Information

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and add your cover letter as an attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application.Yourcover letter should highlight youreducational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals.Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.

Please Note: All applicants must submit a writing sample with their application. The writing sample must include your interest in democracy resilience issues and citations (no preference for citation style).

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references. 

Applications will be accepted until June 14, 2026. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted. 

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).  

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first-generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.