Governor's Internship Program
The Governor’s Internship Program is an exciting and unique opportunity for Minnesota students interested in public service. As an intern in the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, you will gain insight into the various paths within public service and learn valuable skills to prepare you for your future career, all while seizing a unique opportunity to give back to the State of Minnesota.
Internship Program Details
The Governor’s Office Internship Program offers part-time internships during the fall and spring academic semesters, as well as the summer break.
Applications for Fall 2024 are due Sunday, July 7, 2024 (Start date: September 2024)
Our positions are unpaid and part-time, and interns must work a minimum of 12-15 hours a week. In order to be considered for an internship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have a High School diploma or GED
- Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate institution
- Have completed at least one semester of undergraduate education by the beginning of their internships
Internship Departments
Please review the department descriptions and candidate criteria before applying. Although we cannot guarantee placement in a specific department, applicants are encouraged to indicate their preferences on their application form, as this will help the Walz-Flanagan Administration learn their interests and find a strong fit.
Public Engagement
The Public Engagement Office serves as the first point of contact between the public and the Governor's Office. The office responds on behalf of the Governor to phone calls, emails, letters, and walk-ins from the people of Minnesota and works closely with state agencies to resolve constituent issues. The office also oversees the Governor's Office outreach to communities across Minnesota. Public engagement interns can expect to gain a first-hand look at how state government works and a rewarding experience helping those in need.
Legislative Affairs
The Legislative Affairs Department focuses on moving the Governor’s legislative agenda forward by sustaining relationships with state, federal, and local elected officials, as well as advocacy groups. The department ensures the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and staff are fully informed about all legislative matters. Legislative affairs interns will help track legislation in progress, research ongoing policy issues, and assist in handling legislative questions.
Communications
The Communications Department serves as the liaison between the Governor’s Office and the media. The department plays a vital role in crafting and disseminating the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s messaging and developing its communication strategy. Communications interns will help with monitoring and compiling press coverage and daily clips, drafting press releases and media advisories, developing social media and web content, and assisting with research.
Executive Operations
The Executive Operations Department supports the Governor, First Lady, and Lieutenant Governor to maximize their time and talents to best serve Minnesotans. This work includes scheduling, staffing, preparing briefing materials, long-term planning, and coordinating logistics with other office departments, relevant agencies, and external stakeholders. Executive operations interns will help prepare daily briefing materials, correspond with event organizers, staff principals at public appearances, and conduct event research.
Boards and Commissions
The State of Minnesota has hundreds of boards and commissions dealing with virtually every state department and public policy area to which the Governor will make thousands of appointments during his term. The Appointments Department is responsible for screening potential candidates for gubernatorial appointments, and works closely with staff, boards, and councils to advance the appointments of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. Appointments interns will help with research, application tracking, recruitment, memo and brief preparation, and other tasks as needed.
Tribal State Relations
The Tribal State Relations (TSR) team works closely with the 11 tribal nations in Minnesota. The intern should have an interest in working with tribal governments and learning more about how state government interacts with tribal governments on a government-to-government level. There are several areas for the intern to assist with, including compiling and updating a database on specific information for each tribal nation; compiling and updating information on urban Native organizations and leaders; supporting TSR staff with research and organizing information; working in scheduling and calendars for TSR staff, and helping to launch and organize a TSR newsletter for state agencies and staff. We are seeking applicants with excellent organizational and writing skills, a strong interest in state politics, and a base understanding of tribal governments and indigenous history and issues.
Successful applicants in all departments will have:
- Excellent communication and collaborative work skills
- A strong work ethic and ability to work independently
- Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong writing, research, and organizational skills
- A willingness to be adaptable in daily work assignments
Apply for an Internship
Internship applications are two parts. To apply, submit the application form through Microsoft Forms and your resume, cover letter, and writing sample by email to gov.internships@state.mn.us. You must submit all four documents to be considered for an internship.
1. Submit through Microsoft Forms:
Application form: Access the application form
2. Submit by email to gov.internships@state.mn.us:
Resume: A one-page resume that outlines your academic and work experience
Cover letter: A one-page cover letter which outlines your interest in interning for the Walz Flanagan Administration
Writing sample: A writing sample that is no longer than four pages
Please submit the resume, cover letter, and writing sample by email with the following subject line: last name, first initial_internship season and year_Internship Application
Example: Scovil,J_Fall24_Internship Application
You may also submit materials by mail to the following mailing address:
Attn: Internship Coordinator 130 State Capitol 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN 55155.
Please note that mailed applications must be received by the application deadline. Questions or requests for reasonable accommodations for the internship application process can be directed via email to gov.internships@state.mn.us.
Governor's Legal and Judicial Appointments Internship Program
The Governor’s Legal and Judicial Appointments Internship Program is an exciting and unique opportunity for Minnesota students interested in public service. As an intern in the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, you will gain insight into the various paths within public service and learn valuable skills to prepare you for your future career, all while seizing a unique opportunity to give back to the State of Minnesota.
Internship Program Details
The Governor’s Office Internship Program offers part-time internships during the fall and spring academic semesters, as well as the summer break.
Applications for Fall 2024 are due Sunday, July 7, 2024 (Start date: September 2024)
Our positions are unpaid and part-time, and interns must work a minimum of 12-15 hours a week.
Legal Department
The Legal Department advises the Governor and Lieutenant Governor on a wide variety of legal issues. The department also collaborates with agency counsel and the Attorney General’s Office on litigation involving the Governor’s Office and state agencies. Legal interns will help with statutory, regulatory, and case law research, cite checking, and other tasks as needed. We are seeking applicants with an enthusiasm for the law, excellent research, communication, writing, proofreading and editing skills, and an eagerness to improve those skills.
To be considered for an internship in the Legal Department, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree. We especially encourage applications from current law students.
Judicial Appointments Department
Under the Constitution, the Governor is responsible for appointing judges to the Minnesota Judicial Branch and several Executive Branch courts. The Judicial Appointments Team is responsible for the entire selection process of judges, including working with the Commission on Judicial Selection and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to recruit, vet, and advise on potential candidates for appointment. Judicial appointments interns will help with research, application tracking, recruitment, memo and brief preparation, and other tasks as needed. We especially encourage applications from current law students or undergraduate students interested in pursuing a legal career.
To be considered for an internship in the Judicial Appointments Department, applicants must have completeted at least one semester of undergraduate education by the beginning of their internships. We especially encourage applications from current law students or undergraduate students interested in pursuing a legal career.
Apply for an Internship
Internship applications are two parts. To apply, submit the application form through Microsoft Forms and your resume, cover letter, and writing sample by email to gov.internships@state.mn.us. You must submit all four documents to be considered for an internship.
1. Submit through Microsoft Forms:
Application form: Access the application form
2. Submit by email to gov.internships@state.mn.us:
Resume: A one-page resume that outlines your academic and work experience
Cover letter: A one-page cover letter which outlines your interest in interning for the Walz Flanagan Administration
Writing sample: A writing sample that is no longer than four pages
Please submit the resume, cover letter, and writing sample by email with the following subject line: last name, first initial_internship season and year_Internship Application
Example: Scovil,J_Fall24_Internship Application
You may also submit materials by mail to the following mailing address:
Attn: Internship Coordinator 130 State Capitol 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, MN 55155.
Please note that mailed applications must be received by the application deadline. Questions or requests for reasonable accommodations for the internship application process can be directed via email to gov.internships@state.mn.us.
