Internship Opportunities
Our excellent connections to local, state and federal political offices, government agencies, and law offices provide you with a wealth of opportunities for networking and hands-on experience.
Internships
Are you curious about the career paths available to law and justice or political science graduates? Are you looking to network and gain hands-on experience that may lead to your dream job? If so, we encourage you to pursue an internship during your time with us at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Internships can be completed part-time during the academic year in Plattsburgh; full-time during the academic year in Albany, New York City, or Washington, D.C., through our partner programs; and part-time or full-time in the summer, either in Plattsburgh or at home.
Recent internships completed by Department of Political Science students include:
- With political campaigns for local, state, and national offices
- In the local offices of our member of Congress, member of the New York State Assembly, and other government officials
- In the D.C. offices of members of Congress
- At the New York State Assembly
- With the United States and New York court systems
- At the New York State Attorney General’s Office
- With various government agencies and law firms
- At advocacy organizations
Internship Sites
The following are potential internship sites. Please see your political science advisor for more information about internship opportunities.
Sites by Location
Internship Profiles
Mariana Dickson, Class of ’25
Mariana Dickson ’25, a political science major from Troy, N.Y., was one of only about 150 students to earn a competitive legislative internship at the New York State Assembly. During the semester, she worked full-time, Monday through Friday, for Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee, assisting with meetings, policy research, memo writing, bill review and attending official assembly sessions.
Balancing a paid stipend of $8,800 and 15 academic credits, Mariana found herself doing “real‑life” legislative work. Living at home near Albany, she appreciated the stability and the freedom to focus on her role and care for her new puppy. Read more about Mariana’s internship experience
Mary Stockman, Class of ’24
Mary Stockman ’24, a double major in criminal justice and law & justice from Hamburg, N.Y., spent fall 2023 interning in Washington, D.C., in the office of her hometown U.S. Representative, Brian Higgins. On Oct. 3, she and a fellow intern were ushered into the House Gallery to witness history unfold firsthand as Representative Matt Gaetz’s motion to vacate the House Speakership passed, marking the first time in American history that a Speaker was removed from office.
From the gallery, Mary could feel the tension rising as staff realized McCarthy’s removal was imminent. “Everybody knew it was going to happen. There was a lot of tension,” she recalled. Being there in that charged moment, as chaos and political drama played out, was “wild” — a dramatic and unforgettable highlight of her internship experience. Read more about Mary’s internship experience