Each Spring, the New York State Senate selects 30 junior and senior undergraduate students to participate in the Session Undergraduate Assistants Program. The program runs from January through April and takes place on-site at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York. Interns create policy and legislation, speak with constituents, and work on several other projects that give them firsthand experience with the state legislature and deepen their understanding of the legislative process. Additionally, students get to experience living and working at the State Capitol and have the chance to network with state senators and other important government figures. This is an excellent opportunity for any student interested in government, public policy, and making a difference in New York State.
Applicants must be juniors or seniors at the time of the internship, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have been enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters prior to the internship start. This is a demanding program that requires students to work a minimum of 35 hours per week. Students will earn a biweekly stipend of $6,600 to offset living costs in Albany. Prior to filling out the application, interested students should make sure that they will be eligible to receive course credit for this program.
To apply, you will need:
- A completed application form
- An official transcript
- A single-page resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- A list of three policy areas of interest
- A 6-8 page essay
- A personal statement
- Two single-page memoranda (a policy proposal and a rebuttal)
- A student statement
The application for the 2022 Session Undergraduate Assistants Program will be due in late October of 2021 – but don’t wait! Start planning early. Fleishman Center staff members are available to assist students with the application via individual appointments – be sure to schedule an appointment on hireBING. Applicants are advised to reach out to professors for assistance with technical components, such as the memoranda.
See the Session Undergraduate Assistants Program page for more information on this opportunity.
