For decades, fraternity and sorority members have sought and succeeded in political internships in Washington, D.C., and at their state capitols.
Fraternity and sorority students have a longstanding tradition of engaging in political internships, with many achieving significant success in these roles. Often deeply embedded in their university communities and student leadership positions, these students frequently leverage their campus involvement to secure prestigious internships in public policy. Research from the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) underscores this connection, with a notable statistic indicating that fraternity and sorority members are twice as likely to hold leadership roles on campus compared to their non-affiliated peers. This involvement often serves as a stepping stone to political internships, creating pathways to influential careers in public policy.
Types of Internships
Fraternity and sorority students participate in a diverse array of political internships, each offering unique opportunities to develop skills and networks in public policy. These internships span various sectors, including:
- Congressional Offices: Interning with senators, representatives, or congressional committees.
- Government Agencies: Positions within departments such as State, Defense, or Health and Human Services.
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Roles in advocacy groups, think tanks, and policy institutes.
- Political Campaigns: Working on local, state, or national campaigns to gain firsthand experience in the electoral process.
- Law Firms and Lobbying Groups: Internships focusing on legal aspects of public policy and advocacy.
- State Capitols: Opportunities to work with state legislators and governors’ offices.
- Municipal Governments: Interning in city councils, mayoral offices, and local government departments.
Often, these internships lead to full-time jobs and careers in public policy, providing fraternity and sorority members with valuable professional experiences and connections.
ENGAGE: Promoting Fraternity and Sorority Participation in Public Policy Careers
ENGAGE, an initiative of the NIC, aims to promote fraternity and sorority participation in careers in public policy. This program is dedicated to cultivating a network of leaders committed to the principles of their fraternities and sororities. ENGAGE provides resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to help fraternity and sorority students navigate the political landscape and secure meaningful internships and careers in public policy.
One of the students that ENGAGE supported this year is Connor McLaughlin, a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at Arizona State University. As he prepared for his internship with U.S. Senator Mark Kelly’s office, McLaughlin expressed his gratitude: “I am very grateful to have received interview preparation and industry insights from the ENGAGE team. They were thoughtful and very generous with their support of me and my pursuit of this role in Senator Kelly’s office.”
The initiative supports students in their pursuit of leadership roles by connecting them with alumni who have successfully transitioned from university leadership to impactful public policy careers. Through ENGAGE, fraternity and sorority members are encouraged to uphold their organizations’ values of service, leadership and community involvement while making a difference in the political arena.
Fraternity and sorority students have a rich history of excelling in political internships, leveraging their campus involvement to secure pivotal roles in public policy. With the support of initiatives like ENGAGE, these students are well-equipped to become the next generation of leaders committed to making a positive impact through their careers in public service. As hundreds of fraternity and sorority students begin their summer political internships, they carry forward a tradition of leadership, service, and commitment to the principles of their organizations.
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