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Government Relations
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Legislative Internship Program

Important Dates for Spring 2023 Internship

Intern Orientation November 30, 2023 

Move to Tallahassee January 6, 2024

Legislative Session Starts January 9, 2024

Session Ends March 8  2024

Contact: Ray Walker, Director of Government Relations

2022 four interns, from left to right male, female, female, male
2022 Legislative Interns
  • How to Apply

    Applications are Now Open 

    Applications are open to students majoring in Political Science and Public Administration

    Application Requirements:

    • Legislative Internship Application 
      • Reference Rating Form: Two references are required; one must be from a faculty member
      • Personal statement 500 – 1000 words
      • Resume
      • Up-to-date unofficial academic transcripts
  • Internship Description
    • Ability to organize and prioritize multiple and competing tasks while maintaining attention to detail
    • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in a professional and collegial manner with a wide range of individuals and constituents
    • Ability to operate independently and take initiative in a fast paced and highly visible environment
    • Ability to have transportation to Tallahassee and legislative district office
  • What to Expect
    • Legislative Interns represent the University of North Florida, and therefore, the highest conduct is expected
    • Interns must adapt to a rigorous work schedule and develop an effective working relationship with legislators
    • The internship offers a Uniquely UNF shared experience in Tallahassee for our Osprey interns:
      • Interns will be paired as roommates (2/room)
      • Interns will get to share the legislative experience with interns from other Florida universities
      • Interns will have on-site contact in Tallahassee with UNF’s Governmental Relations team
  • Qualifications
    • Must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking, student at UNF
    • Must possess a cumulative 3.0 GPA or greater
    • Completion of 30 credit hours; Completion of 60 credit hours (preferred)
    • Applications are open to students majoring in Political Science and Public Administration
    • Must have access to reliable transportation
  • Compensation
    • Accommodations: The Internship Program will provide interns with furnished housing, which includes the payment of rent and utilities while they are interning in their assigned Legislator’s Capitol Office for the Legislative Session. Housing will be at a location with interns from other state universities.
    • Stipend: Interns are eligible to receive a $2,000 stipend to be used for travel and meals. Additionally, UNF will reimburse gas expense for one roundtrip drive to Jacksonville during the Legislative Session
  • Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
    • Interest in, or knowledge of, the legislative process
    • Ability to operate a personal computer with proficiency in Microsoft Office
    • Ability to organize and prioritize multiple and competing tasks while maintaining attention to detail
    • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in a professional and collegial manner with a wide range of individuals and constituents
    • Ability to operate independently and take initiative in a fast paced and highly visible environment
    • Ability to have transportation to Tallahassee and legislative district office
    • Proficiency in social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • Learning Goals
    • Expose and teach students the jurisdiction and responsibilities of the Florida State Legislature
    • Expose and teach students the state legislative process
    • Expose and teach students the activities and functions of a state legislative office
  • Learning Outcomes
    • Develop an enhanced understanding of the legislative process
    • Develop an enhanced understanding of policy and constituent related research
    • Develop written and oral communication skills
    • Develop professional competencies in time-management, teamwork, organizational networking, and leadership
  • On the Job Tasks/Activities

    Interns will function as support staff to legislators, performing a wide range of tasks, such as, collecting press clippings, researching issues, analyzing bills, tracking legislation, attending committee meetings, responding to constituent letters, answering phones and more. As a result, interns learn about the legislative process and the many other functions of a legislative office.

  • Selection Process

    A panel consisting of members from the Office of Government and Community Relations, the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and Student Government will review the applications and select semi-finalists to advance to the interview stage of the selection process. All applicants will be notified of whether they are advancing or not to the semi-finalist stage no later than October 14. The panel will conduct in person interviews during the week of October 17-21. All semi-finalists will be notified of whether they are chosen as a finalist by October 28.

  • Orientation
    • Interns will be required to attend an orientation in the UNF Office of Government and Community Relations in December. The orientation will cover topics such as the legislative process, bill research and drafting, bill analysis and tracking, legislative etiquette, communication and social media and House and Senate rules.
    • Prior to end of fall semester, interns will travel with a representative from UNF Government and Community Relations to their assigned Legislator’s District Office for a Meet and Greet.
  • Credits

    Interns who successfully complete the Legislative Internship Program will receive 6 credits in internship credit hours. Interns will have the option to work with their academic and faculty advisor within their major to supplement an additional 6 credits received for the internship by enrolling in online or independent study courses.

  • Academic Assignments

    Interns are assigned to a professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration who will be responsible for the academic portion of the internship and final grade. The assigned professor will provide the intern with a syllabus outlining the academic course assignments, which are in addition to the hours worked in the Legislator’s office.

  • Working Hours
    • The internship program will begin the first week of the spring semester and conclude on the last week of the spring semester.
    • Interns are assigned to a Northeast Florida Legislator for whom they will work for in both their District Office and Capitol Office. The interns will work January – March in the Legislator’s Northeast Florida District Office and March – May in the Legislator’s Capitol Office in Tallahassee throughout the sixty-day Legislative Session.
  • Hours Logged

    A minimum of 270 working hours, including transit to and from the work site location, within the Spring academic semester are required to receive full academic credit for the internship. All hours must be logged.

Testimonials from the 2022 Interns 

My time as a legislative intern in the Florida House of Representatives was one of the most impactful and invaluable experiences, I ever received at UNF. It was an opportunity I am extremely grateful for and will always recommend for future Ospreys. – Marisa Materazzi
Marisa Materazzi and Rep. Tracie Davis

Marisa Materazzi and Rep. Tracie Davis

This internship was a once in a lifetime experience that allowed me to determine what I want todo with my future career. Being able to see legislators work firsthand was inspiring and eye opening. This internship provided me with professional experiences that will further prepare me for the future. I wish that all political science majors had this opportunity! – Elizabeth Elliott
Elizabeth Elliott with Rep Angie Nixon
Elizabeth Elliott with Rep. Angie Nixon
It was amazing to receive the opportunity to serve my state’s democracy and represent my school. -  Gabriel Smith
Gabriel-Smith-and-Rep-Jason-Fischer
Gabriel Smith and Rep. Jason Fischer
This internship provided me with the great opportunity of acquiring real-world, hands-on experience about the legislative process and a better perspective of the world of politics. This internship also allowed me to make connections with elected public officials and lobbyists. - Alejandro Quintera Graxirena
Alejandro Quintera Graxirena and Rep Clay Yarborough
Alejandro Quintera Graxirena and Rep. Clay Yarborough