Internship / Career Services
There are many internship opportunities available for students in the state, region, and nation. At the Taubman Center website, we have an internship guide that lists some of the internship possibilities in the public sector. One of the advantages of Brown's location in the capital city of Providence is the possibility of close working relationships with various state and local agencies. We encourage students to choose an internship in an agency closely related to their academic interests. This provides greater depth of knowledge about that program area.
In order to help student find jobs, the Center works with the university's Office of Career Services. This office compiles dossiers and lists job possibilities available to graduating students. Career Services offers job counseling and hosts job fairs in a variety of different areas. Our graduates have been successful at obtaining employment in a wide range of public, private, and non-profit sector areas.
While many jobs are available in local, state, and federal government, there also are a number of non-profit organizations, research institutes, and private sector companies that seek graduates with outstanding analytical, writing, and thinking skills. With the numerous and varied ways that public policy impinges on social, economic, and political life, employers increasingly are looking to hire students with Masters degrees.
Students may undertake their internship during the fall or spring terms or over the summer. The internship requirement is listed as PPAI2800 in the course guide and students choosing a fall or spring internship should sign up for credit during the appropriate term. Those choosing to do a summer internship should sign up for credit during the semester immediately following completion of their internship. It is expected that students electing to do a fall or spring internship will work at least 15 hours per week for 13 weeks for a total of 195 hours. This is also the minimum expected for summer internships, though we encourage all students to work full, 40 hour weeks performing policy relevant work over the summer. Once a student has chosen a specific opportunity, there is an “Internship Agreement Form” that needs to be filled out and signed by the student and their intern supervisor prior to beginning the internship. This form outlines expectations for the coming internship, ensuring that the student and their sponsoring organization are on the same page. At the end of the internship, the student will complete an “Internship Completion and Evaluation Form” within 10 days after completion of the internship. In addition, the student's supervisor will complete an “Intern Evaluation Form” within 10 days after completion.