Government Relations Internship Program
Capitol Associates is pleased to offer fall, spring, and summer paid internships to undergraduate students who are self-motivated with an interest in understanding government affairs and the development of health policy.
2025 Summer Program
Capitol Associates, Inc. (CAI) is seeking a paid federal government relations undergraduate intern for Summer 2025. This individual should be self-motivated with an interest in understanding government affairs and the development of health policy. This experience provides exposure to the federal legislative and regulatory process while developing an understanding of the operations of a bipartisan federal government relations firm.
Our interns gain comprehensive experience in the policymaking process and delve into complex health policy topics. They work on a variety of projects supporting the firm’s federal government relations efforts on behalf of clients. Their responsibilities include attending and reporting on workshops, briefings, meetings, and Congressional hearings. Additionally, they assist in the preparation of the firm’s weekly newsletter, draft summaries of legislation and regulations, and conduct research for informational materials.
Our intern also plays an important role in supporting the firm’s rural health work. Candidates with a specific interest in this area should indicate this in their application.
This is a full-time, in-person internship with daily office hours Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Our interns generally work 4-5 days per week to accommodate school schedules (if applicable). Starting and ending dates are flexible and usually depend on school schedules.
Capitol Associates compensates interns with a $120 daily stipend, paid monthly.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Candidates are expected to have strong writing skills, and a background or interest in public policy, health care, and/or political science is preferred.
Eligibility is limited to undergraduate students with sophomore or junior standing. Students with senior standing will be considered if they are applying through a Washington program facilitated by a college or university.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through Handshake and must include a letter of interest, a resume, a writing sample, and contact information for two references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 12 at 11:59 PM (however, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)
Click here to submit your application
If you experience issues with submitting via Handshake or have any questions, please email schwartzl@capitolassociates.com.
Testimonials
“I really enjoyed my internship experience with Capitol Associates Inc. because of the incredible team culture and the various opportunities to be actively involved in meaningful work. The daily lunches with the team were a highlight for me. The environment always felt very welcoming and collaborative, giving me the opportunity to connect with everyone on both a professional and personal level. I appreciated how willing everyone at CAI was to have conversations, answer questions, and ensure that I felt included in various projects and tasks. This internship also provided me with opportunities to attend events and meetings, both on Capitol Hill and elsewhere, which gave me valuable insights into the world of public policy and lobbying. From day one, I felt like a valued member of the team, making the overall experience truly enriching and rewarding!”
“My internship at Capitol Associates was incredibly informative. I had the opportunity to learn about a variety of complex and technical topics in health policy, while also developing skills in research, writing, and policy analysis. From my first day, it was apparent that all of the staff at CAI viewed me as an essential member of the team and valued my contributions and perspectives. I’m so thankful for this experience, as it enhanced my interest in health policy and prepared me well for future opportunities in this field.”
“My internship with CAI started in August 2023 and ended in December. The experience was invaluable — from working with such a knowledgeable and hands-on team to the actual work I was doing. In the few months I worked with CAI I gained a new understanding of the complexities of healthcare policy and had the opportunity to apply knowledge from the classroom to the work I was tasked with, including writing the “Top News Stories” for a weekly newsletter, writing articles about relevant current healthcare stories, reading and summarizing healthcare policies, and attending and pulling out relevant information from hearings on the Hill. Everyone at CAI helped deepen my passion for healthcare policy, and I feel excited and empowered to join the field after graduation.”
“My internship experience at Capitol Associates was nothing short of exceptional. I had the opportunity to participate in many impactful experiences and complete work that I found meaningful and fulfilling. When I was searching for a summer internship, I desired a program where I would not be lost in the shuffle of a corporate office or only tasked with busy work. I can now say that I found exactly what I was looking for with CAI. I developed my skills in research, writing, and presentation creation, and feel that I left the program with a great foundation for a future career in government or politics. In addition to the work, the office culture of CAI is incredibly welcoming and supportive. I was able to forge connections with senior staff, and thoroughly enjoyed the chats over coffee or lunch that occurred on a daily basis. I highly recommend the CAI internship experience!”
“Going through the process of searching for an internship in the Washington DC area, it became clear early on that Capitol Associates was the best fit for me. I was able to quickly establish a strong connection with CAI in the interview process, and my time working in the office was no different. What I appreciate the most about my internship with CAI was the opportunity to gain real work experience in a professional environment and be involved as a valued member of the firm.
This is not a “get coffee and print copies” internship. From my first day interning at CAI, Senior Leadership made it clear that I would be viewed with the same level of respect and expectations as full-time associates, and I would be actively involved in the production and facilitation of real projects alongside my supervisors. Being trusted with real responsibility throughout my internship provided me with invaluable experience and learning opportunities that made me well prepared for my current career on Capitol Hill. I do not believe I would be where I am today if it weren’t for my internship with CAI, and I am grateful for the experiences and relationships developed in my time there.”
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1009 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Contact Us
(202) 544-1880
Office Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed