Rep. Martha Roby: Congressional internships offer unique opportunities

Each summer, I am pleased to offer college students from Alabama’s Second District with congressional internship opportunities.

My summer internship program is a competitive experience intended for students who have completed at least their undergraduate freshman year and are interested in learning about our nation’s Legislative Branch.

With opportunities in my Washington, D.C., office and all three of my district offices located in Alabama, students are provided a unique experience to observe the daily operations of a congressional office.

A congressional internship, whether it be in Washington or in the district, is a valuable experience that provides students with a greater understanding of the day-to-day operations of our government. It is also a wonderful opportunity for students to expand their knowledge on the Second District, current events and different policy issues affecting our state and country.

The experience gained by completing a congressional internship is invaluable, leading to personal and professional growth. Many students leave a congressional internship feeling confident they have further developed key skills that will prove useful in any future endeavors.

In my Washington office, responsibilities of interns include a variety of tasks, such as drafting and presenting a policy to propose to my staff, assisting constituents on the telephone, researching legislation, attending hearings and briefings, and several others. Interns in my Washington office are fortunate to also lead tours of the beautiful U.S. Capitol building for constituents who are visiting.

In our district offices located in Montgomery, Dothan and Andalusia, interns are tasked with answering constituent phone calls and assisting with possible inquiries. In addition, district office interns may be asked to help with casework and district-based projects.

I have been fortunate to host many students as interns in all four of my offices throughout my time in Congress. It’s hard to believe that summer 2020 will be my 10th summer to present students with this opportunity. These bright students have always put forth their best efforts toward serving the people of Alabama’s Second District. I greatly appreciate students who are willing to dedicate a portion of their summer to bettering their communities while also learning more about the legislative process.

This summer I will offer three, month-long internship opportunities in my Washington and district offices. The first session will be from May 11 to June 5, the second is June 8 to July 3 and the third is July 6 to July 31. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 6, 2020.

We are always looking for hardworking, young people to help my staff and me better serve the people of Alabama’s Second District. If you or someone you know may be interested in a congressional summer internship, please make sure to submit an application before the March 6 deadline that is quickly approaching.

To access my office’s application, please visit https://roby.house.gov/student-resources/internships. My staff and I look forward to hearing from you, and we are excited to welcome a new group of talented, intelligent students this summer!

Representative Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second Congressional District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.