Congressional Internship

• Fellowship will be with a Mississippi Senator or Representative
• Fellowships coincide approximately with fall and spring semester dates, which will minimize the impact on class schedules
• Fellows maintain their status as an enrolled, full-time student for financial aid and other purposes through enrollment in an experiential learning course, much like a cooperative education experience

• Gain experience not available to most students
• Network with top-ranked students from other schools and make new friends
• Meet leaders in government and industry
• Experience Washington, D.C. and the rich political and cultural opportunities it has to offer
• Observe government in action
• Learn while having fun

Duties may vary depending on the needs of the senator or representative, but typically will include:

• Attending committee hearings
• Assisting with preparation of briefings for members of the House or Senate
• Researching legislation and items of concern to the congressman and their constituents
• Responding to and addressing requests and constituent concerns and problems
• Using computer skills to develop presentations, reports and perform Intranet activities
• Giving tours of the Capitol Building to constituent visitors
• Assisting professional staff members with constituent mail, computer tasks and other office functions
• Various other duties as assigned

In the fall of 1999 Dorman Blaine, a 1961 civil engineering graduate, made a generous gift to the Bagley College of Engineering to establish and support the Congressional Fellowship Program. Earnings from Blaine’s endowment pay for partial support of the Fellow’s expenses and additional funds are provided from other donors and gifts to the Bagley College. These funds cover:

• Furnished housing located close to the House and Senate offices
• Utilities
• A travel stipend that can be used to offset some moving expenses and travel to and from Washington, D.C.

Fellows are also provided with a monthly stipend from the Senator’s or Representative’s office which generally covers meals and other living expenses. The objective of the college is to ensure that students can participate in this experience with little to no out-of-pocket costs.

Fellows must be currently enrolled engineering undergraduates in good academic standing at Mississippi State University who are citizens of the United States.

Successful applicants will have:

• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Be involved in college activities, professional organizations and honorary societies
• Participated in community and civic activities
• Possess strong oral, written and research skills
• Be interested in furthering their understanding the political process
• Have a commitment to serving others
• Have demonstrated their interest through related coursework and activities

To be competitive for selection as a Congressional Fellow, a student should have completed a minimum of 60 hours of college coursework, 30 of which should have been at Mississippi State, and have a GPA of no less than 2.50. Although exceptions are sometimes made, ideal candidates will have at least one or two semesters of coursework remaining following the completion of their fellowship.

Interested students should download and complete the Congressional Fellowship application. In addition to the application, students must submit a current resume that includes at a minimum their work experience, student organization involvement, extracurricular activities and community involvement. They are also required to submit a two-page essay detailing why they wish to receive this fellowship. Fellowships are limited and the process is competitive. A committee will review the applications and periodically schedule interviews for strong candidates.

Click here to download an application.