About the Internship Program

Program Overview

The state of North Carolina Internship Program provides legal residents of North Carolina who are students at in-state colleges, universities, community colleges, law or graduate schools, or who are attending equivalent institutions in other states, with a compensated experiential opportunity that integrates education, career development and public service.

Through a competitive application process, qualified students in a full range of academic majors are selected for internships in North Carolina state government agencies. Internship positions are based on project proposals submitted by agency personnel and are designed to provide substantive and career-relevant learning experiences. In addition to developing practical workplace skills in a variety of professional areas, interns are effectively introduced to career options in public service and in the North Carolina state government system.

While service to state government agencies is a valuable outcome of this internship program, the program's primary focus is to provide opportunities for students to build career-enhancing and leadership skills while benefiting from the civic experience. In so doing, the State Government Internship Program makes an important contribution to the quality of North Carolina's workforce and citizenry.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be a permanent North Carolina resident attending a college, university, law school, community college or technical institute in North Carolina or a North Carolina resident attending an equivalent institution out of state.
Applicants must carry a 2.5 or greater overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Applicant must be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2023.
Community college students must have completed their first year completed before beginning the internship.
Applicants must be continuing their education in the fall following their participation in the program.
To qualify for a law internship, applicants must have completed at least one year of law school before the beginning of the internship, unless other majors are listed.
Students having previously held paid internships with this program are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be willing and able to work full-time for the entire 10-week internship. Applicants must be able to provide legal proof of identity and work authorization within three working days of employment.

Additional Program Activities

We encourage interns to network and explore state government during their internship period by offering optional tours, site visits, and get-togethers. For example, in previous summers, Museum of Natural Sciences interns gave hands-on educational sessions to their peers. Coastal interns met at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores for "behind the scenes" tours. Western region interns met in Morganton to tour the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, a facility for people with developmental disabilities, and to visit Exceptional Equestrians, a therapeutic horseback riding program.

Additionally, an annual internship reception at the Governor's Mansion offers interns the opportunity to network with intern supervisors, department coordinators and others in state government, while receiving recognition and commendations for their contribution to state government agencies.

Program History

Since 1969, over 4,000 college and law students have gone through the State of North Carolina Internship Program. It may be the oldest and largest paid internship program of any state government in the country.

The makeup of the NC Internship Council, which oversees the program, is also unique. The council includes former interns, a legislator, several college professors, and college career development professionals. The Internship Council chooses the projects and interns, keeping the program fair and patronage free.

Many of our interns have accepted full time state jobs at their internship sites after graduation. Even some of our legislators were interns in our program!