Public Service & Work Experience

Are you interested in a career in public service? Are you not sure what you want to do with your life? Would you like to start building your career network now, rather than after you leave college? PPIP can help you!

PPIP staff work with you to help determine your goals and help you find an internship that interests you. No matter if you have a specific area of interest or just a desire to learn about the policy process in general, there are internships available. (All internships must relate to politics or public policy in order to qualify for PPIP funding.)

Many students point to thier internship as the first step in a lifetime of public service. In the past 2 years alone, more than 20 PPIP students have returned to DC to serve thier country. Although as an intern, you will typically handle some mundane tasks, such as basic office work, most students also have the chance to delve into an issue and complete substantial entry level work.

Former PPIP students have developed marketing campaigns, written legislative briefs and speeches for members of Congress, worked on advocacy conferences and much more! See a list of recent PPIP internships, meet the current interns & see where they are working, or read the intern experience section for more details on what former interns have done during their internships.

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Academic Credit

One of the main advantages of PPIP is that you are awarded academic credit and are considered a full-time student during your internship semester! All PPIP students are enrolled in at least 1 hour of co-op credit course that confers full-time status and eligibility for federal financial aid.** PPIP students are EXEMPT from the 15 hour rule and will only pay tuition for the number of hours registered for--typically less than 3.

PPIP students will complete a portfolio and receive a "satisfactory/unsatisfactory" grade based on the evaluation of a portfolio which includes a learning agreement, a brief weekly journal, self-evaluation and a short final report. See this year's syllabus here.

In addition to the co-op credit, many students gain additional hours that count toward graduation by enrolling in special topics courses (489) and independent studies classes during their internship semester. These courses can be arranged by contacting your academic advisor or professors.

**Note: Students in the Mays College of Business and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences will be enrolled for 2 hours of co-op credit.

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PPIP Housing ScholarshipWashington

The vast majority of internships in Washington are unpaid. To make it possible for students to take an internship semester, all PPIP students receive a generous housing scholarship which covers the cost of housing for the semester.

This is equivalent to $2,500 for the spring or fall semesters and $2,000 during the summer.

This scholarship will cover the cost of the TAMU intern housing (all bills paid, except cable & phone) for the duration of the internship. Students choosing to live out of intern housing (with the approval of the program directory) may receive the scholarship monies directly. PPIP students are responsible for transportation to and from Washington.

Austin
Since Austin internships are only available every two years during the legislative session, the majority of PPIP Austin internships will be paid at $1,000 per month. PPIP interns who do not receive a paid internship will receive a PPIP scholarship to help defray costs. The scholarship amount varies on the availability of funds.

PPIP Intern Housing

Washington, DC: PPIP provides housing for interns in Washington, DC. PPIP interns live with Aggies from the ANRP Internship Program. Interns live in The Buchanan Apartments in Crystal City, Virginia...a short 20-25 minute subway ride to Capitol Hill or downtown DC! Interns are housed in fully-furnished 3 bedroom apartments, 2 students per bedroom. Each apartment is a massive 1,700 square feet with a balcony. There is an on-site residential advisor who lives in the apartment complex to assist students with move-in and move out, as well as help in the event of an emergency.

Crystal City is a complex of underground shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and apartments. Everything you need from services to groceries is just a few steps from the Buchanan. Learn more about Crystal City at http://crystalcity.com/

See photos and learn more about the intern apartments HERE.

Austin: Austin interns are responsible for their own housing, but PPIP provides assistance. PPIP Austin interns typically live with other Aggies interning in Austin or with family in the capitol area.

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Program Training & Support

PPIP is more than just a job placement service. The program helps you start building your network by having socials with fellow interns prior to your internship semester, ongoing training about life in Washington and more. Before leaving campus, students have multiple mixers to meet one another, meet with the program director and get lots of help getting ready for their internship, including travel and living advice.

All PPIP students complete a mandatory training session with the program director, former interns, congressional staffers and other speakers. This session, in addition to other meetings, prepares students to live and work in the fast-paced policy environment.

Once in Washington, students participate in special events with speakers and tours. They also meet regularly and the DC residential advisor and PPIP staff checks-in with the interns throughout the semester to help ensure a good experience.

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Want to learn more? Contact the PPIP staff with questions or concerns!