Every office has a program that needs a critical evaluation, a new initiative that needs a jumpstart, or a project that needs to be revitalized. You can get these tasks done while providing a valuable experience to a Duke Master of Public Policy student or an undergraduate majoring in public policy.
Our students are well prepared and eager to contribute to the success of your organization. In addition, a Duke intern could become a permanent hire or return to campus to recruit for the next summer intern.
Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Each year, we have 65-75 MPP students and more than 175 undergraduate students seeking internships, which are required for their degrees. Our Program on Global Policy and Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, also places graduate students in global policy internships with NGOs and other organizations each summer.
Post an Internship
To get the best match for your organization, post an internship description in early January on Handshake and be sure to include Duke. If you only want to recruit Public Policy students, then select “Civics & Government” in the major field when posting. Sanford has a limited number of stipends available for unpaid and low-paid internship in organizations that cannot afford to pay.
Professional Guidance to Design Your Policy Internship
Our staff can help you design your internship to get the best matches from among our students. We are available throughout the summer in case issues or problems arise.
Examples of our internship sponsors
U.S. Office of Management and Budget – maybe ‘&’ instead of ‘and’ would get it on the same line.
Deloitte Consulting Federal Practice
N.C. Sustainable Energy Association
World Trade Organization
World Wildlife Fund
Booz Allen Hamilton
RTI International
N.C. Justice Center
American Civil Liberties Union
Amazon Public Policy
Discuss Master's Student Internships
Carmella LaBianca
Director of Employer Relations
Carmella creates partnerships with employers who want to hire Sanford students.
Discuss Undergrad Student Internships
Elise Goldwasser
Director of Undergraduate Internships
Elise serves the undergraduate public policy majors who are completing their internship requirements.
Geneva, Switzerland
The Duke Program on Global Policy and Governance works closely with Geneva-based organizations to place up to 50 highly qualified students from masters's, MD, and PhD. programs in summer internships. The highly selective program is open to U.S. and international graduate students. Please contact geneva@duke.edu with questions.
What we offer
- A strong pool of candidates who are highly motivated to work in global policy.
- Mentoring and professional development support from the program, ensuring intern accountability.
- Logistics support for interns with regard to housing, visa applications, and orientation to Geneva and the NGO landscape. Intern sponsors do not have to take time with these matters.
- Added value - interns are part of an intentional learning community invested in embracing "teachable moments."
What is required of internship sponsors
- Provide a project that is both beneficial to you and the student.
- Provide a supervisor who will serve as a mentor during the summer.
- Complete an evaluation and discuss the evaluation with your student before departure.
Employer Perspective
"Over the years I have supervised the internship program, we have been fortunate to have several students from Duke’s Sanford School join our team. They stand out. They are the ones who come to us with an exceptional writing ability, a curiosity and eagerness to learn, and are natural leaders. They write thank you notes when they leave and stay in touch with us long after they leave. As they embark on careers, we are pleased to have been part of their growth.” - Doris Dixon, US Department of Education