The White House and agencies of the Executive Branch offer numerous internship opportunities for undergraduates. White House internships are very prestigious and extremely selective; interested candidates should put significant time and effort into completing the required application.

Interns at the White House perform a variety of office and support functions while learning how the White House and the executive branch of government work. One of the biggest perks of the White House internship is the opportunity to serve alongside some of the best-known names in government and politics, and even meet the President or Vice President of the United States.

Internships with the White House provide access to White House events and ceremonies, a "speaker series" and a sendoff with the President. Interns report work that ranges from clerical (answering the phone, editing publications) to involved (helping to plan a Rose Garden ceremony), but that is always exciting due to the location and prestige of the internship. "Walking into the White House every day is perk enough," said one intern, expressing the truly unique experience.

There are specific requirements for applying for a White House internship: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and they must be citizens of the United States. Furthermore, applicants are required to receive security clearance and sign a consent form to be subject to random drug tests.

Internships are available within a large number of White House offices, including the Communications Office, Office of Counsel to the President, Legislative Affairs, Political Affairs, and the Office of Presidential Correspondence. It is worth noting that White House internships are not paid; therefore applicants should plan in advance to save money or work a part time job if necessary.

Information on the White House internship program and the internship application form can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/government/wh-intern.html

This article is excerpted from the Vault Guide to Capitol Hill Careers.
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