Internship Experience

Gain valuable, real-world experience.

LBJ School students are able to integrate classroom knowledge with real-world application in an experience that prepares them for a successful career in public affairs.

The LBJ Internship Experience

The LBJ School requires all Master's students to complete a 300-hour policy internship before they graduate. This summer internship allows students to apply their knowledge to policy issues in the public, private or nonprofit sectors while developing their skills in their policy area of interest. LBJ School students pursuing summer internships are eligible to apply for financial support through the internship fellowship program.

Varied Internship Positions

Students work with the career management team, other LBJ School staff, faculty, alumni and their own network to identify an appropriate internship experience that matches with their policy area of interest and career goals.

A recent snapshot of organizations where our students have interned:	A recent snapshot of organizations where our students have interned:
Master of Public Affairs Americans for Financial Reform Austin Transportation Department Battleground Texas Budget Analyst California Center for Sustainable Communities, UCLA California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Capital Metro Transportation Authority Center for Transportation research Central Health Central Texas Food Bank Children at Risk Children's Hospital Association of Texas City of Austin Public Works, Office of Performance Management City of Buda, Texas City of Cedar Park City of Cedar Park, Parks and Rec City of San Antonio Cohear, Center for American Women and Politics Communities Foundation of Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett Congressman Michael McCaul Deans for Impact Dell Medical, Department of Psychiatry, (TCHATT) Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dell Medical School - UT Austin Dress for Success Austin (RGK CONNECT) Education Strategy Group (ESG) Every Texan Financial Health Pathways Texas Foundation Communities Future Now General Land Office General Land Office - Community Development and Revitalization General Services Administration Global Disinformation Lab Go Austin Vamos Austin Hudson River Trading Infosys Foundation USA Jones Mandel Land Use Solutions LBJ School Mexican American Legislative Leadership Foundation National Development Council National Park Service Business Planning Internship Occupational Safety & Health Administration - Department of Labor Office of Congressman Jim Himes Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and City of Austin Office of Police Oversight Office of Representative Vikki Goodwin Office of State Senator Royce West Office of Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez Office of the City Auditor- City of Austin Pacific Forest Trust Prenatal to 3 Policy Impact Center Prison and Jail Innovation Lab Raise Your Hand Texas Refugee Services of Texas Representative Tan Parker, Texas House of Representatives Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) Strategic Partnerships Sustainable Jersey (EDF Partner) Teacher Retirement System of Texas Teamsters Local 2010 (UC Berkeley Labor Summer Program) Tesla Texas A&M System Government Relations Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers Texas Appleseed Texas Black Caucus Foundation Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Texas Department of Health and Human Services Texas Exes Texas General Land Office Texas Public Policy Foundation Texas Senate Finance Committee Texas Solar Energy Society Texas Workforce Commission Texas Legislative Internship Program Tokyo Electron America Travis County Planning and Budget Office Trellus Foundation U.S. Government Accountability Office United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Urban Leaders Fellowship White House Council on Environmental Quality Woodberry Associates World Bank Group	Master Global Policy Studies Argonne National Laboratory Bread for the World Bureaucracy Lab, DIME, World Bank Câmara de Comércio e Indústria do Estado de Rio de Janeiro City of Austin Auditors Office City of Austin, Public Works City of Buda Cooper /Smith Defense Intelligence Agency Deloitte in Africa  Department of State Department of State, US Embassy Dar Es Salaam Girl Forward Global Environmental Institute Hogg Foundation for Mental Health India Brazil Chamber of Commerce Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston International Justice Mission International Organization for Migration Libyan Embassy in Spain NDIA/McCombs Business school Organization for American States - Department Against Transnational Organized Crime Rocket Companies, Rocket Legal Salem Center Secretary of Environment of Nuevo León, Mexico State Department and Refugee Services of Texas Strauss Center Texas Department of Public Safety, Office of Homeland Security/Intelligence and Counterterrorism Unit Texas Legislative Internship Program Texas Senate The Nuclear Threat Initiative The Solidarity Center Travis County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ann Howard U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agriculture Service, Office of the Administrator UNESCO United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) United States Agency for International Development United States Army War College University of Texas Global (Dis)information Lab. UTPD Victims Advocacy Network Well Aware World Wildlife Fund

Internship Report Summer 2022—Spring 2023

MGPS Internships by Location

Location	Count
Texas/Remote	29
Out of State	5
Washington, DC	9
International	11
Total	54

 

MGPS Internships by Sector

Sector	Count
Public/Nonprofit	42
Private	12
Total	54

 

MPAff Internships by Location

Location	Count
Texas/Remote	90
Out of State	14
Washington, DC	11
International	1
Total	116

 

MPAff Internships by Sector

Sector	Count
Public/Nonprofit	93
Private	23
Total	116

 

 

Intern Spotlight

Shahd Elbushra (MPAff '21); Internship: Civil Rights Corps

"Civil Rights Corps has allowed me to re-envision the future of effective policy that challenges the criminal-legal system. It has shown me that there are lots of progressive organizations and people that center racial justice and equity on the path to abolition of the carceral system. I see myself working in a collaborative environment alongside progressive political leadership and advocacy groups to dismantle a system that has continuously oppressed Black and Brown communities for decades. I think purposeful, informed policy is critical now more than ever to reshape public safety in our communities and CRC has shown me how to work toward this."

 

Nick Barracca (MGPS '21); Internship: UN Foundation

"The UN Foundation (UNF) helps the UN mobilize ideas, people and resources on a variety of issues, including climate change, global health, peace and security, women's empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access and U.S.-UN relations. My team is a part of the Executive Office and supports work that may not match the portfolio of other teams and the UNF family of alliances.

During my internship, I monitored developments at the G7, G20, IMF and World Bank group because these international financial institutions are responsible for the majority sustainable development and the COVID-19 response financing. I would write up daily news reports and summary memos about latest think tank events, research and policy developments that would go on to leadership. Also, I supported two experts on my team and their work on emerging technologies and subnational SDG initiatives."

 

Sisto Campana (MGPS-DC '20); Internship: United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration — Office of Policy Development and Research

"Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying economic crisis, the Department of Labor has been at the epicenter of the government's response. I have been working closely with the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs to complete congressional requests from both chambers of Congress that range from technical assistance on bills related to the CARES Act, to individual casework helping workers receive unemployment compensation. It has given me a better understanding of how government operates and relies on executive agencies for their expertise in helping craft legislation. It is very fulfilling knowing that my office and my work has impacted legislation that potentially affects millions of people throughout the country."

 

Reena Birch Fram (Dual Degree MPAff/MBA '22); Internship: Walmart, Inc.

"The business community has immense influence in the way policies are formed and how our society functions. Working with my team at Walmart and learning how they drive forward their sustainability efforts was an incredible experience. Although the internship was remote, my colleagues were generous with their time, provided me with a challenging and relevant project, and made sure I had a fun summer networking with interesting people!"

 

Katrina Parkey (MPAff/MBA '21); Internship: City of Austin, COVID-19 Finance Response

"I am working directly with City of Austin staff across nearly all city departments, in addition to private consultants who were hired on to help with the COVID-19 response. Managing relationships with so many people across so many departments has been a challenge, but everyone is working together to keeping our communities safe and healthy. While tracking finances, I've strengthened my Excel skills and learned more about auditing techniques. While serving directly onsite, I've learned a lot about improving operational processes to make sure that each site is operating as efficiently and effectively as it can. It is a privilege to do work every day that is having a direct impact on Austinites."

Additional LBJ students/alumni on this COVID response team:
Marianne Richardson (MGPS '20)
Tomi Ogungbamigbe (MGPS '20)
Mary Hausle (MPAff '20)
Amelia Hetherington (MPAff/MBA '21)

 

Are you a company looking to hire an LBJ student? Email our Career Management team: lbjcareers@austin.utexas.edu.