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UVA Career Center

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View Open Opportunities

Positions will be posted by February 5th. The application deadline is March 17th 

The Leonard D. Schaeffer Program provides talented undergraduates with a unique government service experience through 10-week, full-time, high-level summer internships with elected officials and agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. The Program's mission is to expose students to government work and its impact. While not all Schaeffer Fellows will pursue a career in government, the program creates the opportunity for participants to become engaged citizens and develop an informed view of government service and operations. 

Schaeffer Fellows are selected from five elite universities – the University of Virginia, Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley, and the University of Southern California – and represent a variety of different backgrounds, political perspectives, and academic disciplines. Common among them is their interest in learning more about public service and the role of government.

This partnership is made possible through the collaborative work of the University of Virginia’s Career Center and Miller Center. The Miller Center is a nonpartisan affiliate of the University of Virginia that specializes in presidential scholarship, public policy, and political history and strives to apply the lessons of history and civil discourse to the nation’s most pressing contemporary governance challenges. 

Each year, 10 UVA students will be selected as Summer Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows. In addition to their full-time internships, Schaeffer Fellows receive a generous stipend, participate in a one-day Schaeffer Fellows Summit, and are paired with a UVA alumnus/na mentor in a related field. Fellows also participate in a series of educational site visits, professional development events, and gatherings with Fellows from other Universities. 

Schaeffer Fellows are exposed to government experiences which include but are not limited to: 

  • Interacting with government officials and constituents
  • Tracking legislation
  • Conducting research
  • Drafting policy memos
  • Talking points or constituent letters
  • Attending inter-agency council meetings, working groups, community events, or congressional hearings
  • Supporting program development and implementation
  • Assisting with social media
  • Developing professional networks with government employees and other interns

Eligibility

  • Current UVA 2ND, 3RD, or 4TH year students graduating in December 2024 are eligible to apply (must be enrolling in at least one semester of courses after the end of the internship). Students who are 4TH years and are returning for a 5TH year master’s program are not eligible.

  • All academic fields of study (declared or undeclared) are encouraged to apply.

  • Demonstrated interest in government and careers in public service and/or coursework that provides preparation for a government internship.

  • Ability to work 40 hours/week for 10 weeks during the summer.

Award Details

Benefits

Schaeffer Fellows receive a stipend of $5,500. Fellows have discretion over use of the stipend but funds are intended to support travel, housing, and some discretionary expenses. Fellows should expect to have some out-of-pocket expenses. Stipends are intended to make a high-level public service internship accessible to qualified candidates.

Opportunities

We are pleased to offer these opportunities for the Summer 2023 session:

1. Virginia State Police | Homeland Security & Criminal Justice Intern 

2. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CMS/CCIIO) | Payment Policy and Financial Management Intern 

3. Smithsonian Institution | National Museum of Natural History Intern, Office of Education and Outreach

4. Arlington County, Virginia Government | Race Equity and Social Media Intern

5. Culpeper County, Virginia Government | Intern 

6. City of Richmond | The Mayor’s Fellows Program

7. U.S. House of Representatives | Office of Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger

8. Self-Obtained Unpaid Internship in Government (2-3 awards available) | This year we are pleased to offer funding to a few students who have secured their own unpaid internships in government which is defined as local, state, tribal, federal, or congressional internships excluding political campaigns. 

Application Materials & How to Apply

Students submit applications through Handshake by typing the keywords “Leonard Schaeffer” into the search bar under Jobs in Handshake. Students can apply to up to 3 of the 10 Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service Internships. 

YOU CAN APPLY FOR UP TO 3 INTERNSHIPS. THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH APPLICATIONS AND ARE UPLOADED THROUGH HANDSHAKE.

1. Application Form (the same form can be used if applying to 2 or 3 internships)

  1. Short answer essay (maximum of 500 words; see prompt in form)

  2. Contact information for two references (one academic and one professional who can serve as references to be called upon if needed regarding you application; recommendation letters are not needed)

  3. Optional budget proposal to request additional funding

2. Resume (maximum 2 pages)

3. Unofficial SIS Transcript

4. For internship placement sites listed above: Cover letter (maximum 1 page)

5. For applications applying for the self-obtained funding: Official offer letter from internship site (this should include the job description including a commitment to providing an internship lasting 10 weeks at 40 hours/week, the internship supervisors name and title, and if the organization first requires you receive a security clearance in order to complete the internship)

Award Process

Applications often open on Handshake in early February. To apply, refer to the section above or search postings within the Jobs section of Handshake. Application materials will be forwarded to the corresponding agency/employer. The placement sites may require additional application materials. 

Applicants selected for an interview with an internship site will be notified by mid-March. After interviews have been completed, placement sites will select one finalist and an official offer will be extended by April 1. 

If applying for self-obtained internship funding, a committee of faculty and staff will review applications. An interview is not required and those awarded will be notified by April 1.

 

Important Information for 2023

To receive the full stipend, interns must work 40 hours/week for 10 weeks. If an intern is unable to fulfill the time requirements, they will be required to return a partial amount of the award equivalent to $550/week not completed. Interns will be required to complete written evaluations throughout the internship highlighting accomplishments, personal growth, and impact of the internship on future career considerations. Interns will also complete a review process with their supervisor and will be required to attend monthly meetings (at least 3 in total) with a University of Virginia alumni mentor outside of their internship office. With the help of the Career Center, students will identify a mentor as a part of the on-boarding process. Interns must be available to attend the following:

  • Late April: Schaeffer Fellows Virtual Orientation | Time TBA
  • Late May: Internships Commence | Varies by site
  • Summer: Virtual Schaeffer Fellows Summit | Multiple sessions
  • Late July/Early August: Internships End | Varies by site