Government

Brief Overview

Some 20 million people work for government—agencies and departments that on a federal, state, or local level handle issues as diverse as highway construction and the protection of wilderness areas, public health programs, subsidies to tobacco farmers, the space program, and fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Governments collect taxes and use them to fund programs. That includes everything from a small-town government filling potholes on Main Street, to a big city providing police and firefighting services, to a state issuing drivers’ licenses, to the federal government sending troops into combat or making Medicare payments to a long-term health-care facility for the elderly poor.

Federal and state legislators make laws, and city and county supervisors pass ordinances. Executive agencies—from the White House to the state house to city hall—issue regulations. Governments employ civil servants, bureaucrats, lawyers, and specialists of all kinds to implement their policies and staff their programs. These include people who analyze policy and draft legislation for U.S. senators, people who issue building permits at town hall, and everyone in between.

Learn more about the industry and research specific companies on the Vault and WetFeet.

Helpful Tips

Representatives from the Federal Government recruit regularly at Notre Dame. Recruiters from the CIA, FBI, Department of Justice, and the State Department have posted on Go IRISH and attended the Fall Career Expo and Winter Career & Internship Fair in the past. Students interested in interning with security agencies should be aware that the deadline for these internships is typically early November. Internship deadlines for other areas of the government can range anywhere from December through April.

Internships offered through the Washington Program offer multiple opportunities in the field. Although positions posted on Go IRISH are for fall & spring, many of the participating organizations offer summer internships.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Vault

Internship Links

• Go IRISH
• Internships.com
• JobCentral.com
• UCAN

• Making the Difference
• OMB Watch
  - Government search engines, government job search tips, Congress, and non-profits.
• USAJOBS
  - Official employment site of the United States government. Search with the keyword “intern”.

Federal

• DC Internships
• Federal Government Jobs
• Federal Job Search
• Federal Reserve Board
• grassroots.org
  - Washington Intern Foundation – view internships on Capitol Hill
• House of Representatives
  - Directory of Committee representatives, House Organizations, Commissions, and Task Forces.
• Library of Congress
  - Jobs and fellowships with the Library of Congress and opportunities with the Congressional Research Service
• Princeton Review
• Senate
  - Lists senators by state and provides a directory of committee members and Senate leadership.
• Studentjobs.gov

State & Local

• CityCountyJobs
• http://www.govtjob.net/

Develop Your Own Internship

Students can also contact employers directly to create internship opportunities.

Networking

Tips for networking with family, friends, and Notre Dame alumni. Learn how to obtain access to the Irish Online alumni database.

Professional & Student Organizations

Professional organizations provide excellent contacts for networking and informational interviews. In some cases they may post jobs and internships on their websites.

Professional Organizations

• Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
• National Conference of State Legislatures
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Student Organizations

• American Student Government Association
• United States Student Association