If you are interested in public service or looking for a hands-on opportunity to learn how a Connecticut Constitutional office operates, an internship with the Secretary of the State may be the right choice for you. We continuously recruit motivated students interested in joining a team of dedicated public servants to help carry out the many responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of the State. The unpaid internship is conducted out of our Executive Offices in the State Office Building in Hartford and virtually.
Placement Opportunities are available all year round for undergraduate and graduate students who want experience in a professional government organization. While majors such as political science, law and communication are most common among our applicants, we encourage other disciplines such as design, writing, business, and management students to apply as well.
Internship Requirements:
- Be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning
- Students have the option to receive credits by consulting with their college advisors or internship directors but may also choose to complete the internship for the work experience alone
Description of Duties and Opportunities:
Interns are assigned to a variety of projects. All interns should expect to assist with general office duties including answering phones, processing citations, maintaining databases, and maintaining correspondence. They will also work alongside agency professionals and other interns on a mix of team and individual assignments.
Interns will have the opportunity to work on specialized tasks such as:
- Developing and maintaining lists of key agency constituencies and stakeholders
- Creating and editing videos about various agency services and about civic engagement
- Assisting with development of and implementation of social media campaigns
- Researching legislative ideas for implementation in our state
- Compiling information for monthly communications to the business community
- Compiling and drafting website content
- Organizing, implementing and staffing events
- Reading and summarizing reports
Interns will learn the various functions and services of Connecticut state government so they can respond to constituent needs via phone, email and in person.
Interns are encouraged to take advantage of the many educational experiences occurring around the Capitol campus and in downtown Hartford. Typical opportunities include attending public hearings, committee meetings, legislative sessions, press conferences, and sessions of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Candidate Qualities:
A good candidate for this position will have great oral and written communication skills, be eager to learn, and proactive in finding ways to assist the office. They should maintain a professional appearance and manner, as well as work well under pressure and be well-organized. Basic knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite is required, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Knowledge of Microsoft Forms and Power Automate is preferred. Previous experience in a professional office setting is helpful but not necessary.
Application Procedure:
Please download and complete the Internship Application. Then email the completed application along with your résumé and a cover letter including your availability to sots.internships@ct.gov.
__________________________________________________________
The Office of the Secretary of the State is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, disability, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, LGBTQ identification, family status, or military status. Women, people of color, and other members of traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.