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Working For Maine
Internships
For college students who would like to learn more about the workings of Congress, the State of Maine, and the relationship between state and federal agencies, a Congressional internship in an office of U.S. Representative Tom Allen is a fascinating, hands-on educational experience. Interns’ primary responsibilities are to assist the Congressman’s staff in administrative duties, research projects, and answering requests for information.
Depending on whether interns serve in the District Offices in Portland and Saco, Maine, or the Washington, D.C. Office, they may have the opportunity to attend legislative hearings, issue briefings, staff meetings and work personally with constituents.
Internships are awarded to college students, and arrangements for academic credit can be made. Priority is given to residents of the First Congressional District of Maine, although all interested students are encouraged to apply. Stipends may be provided to interns serving in Washington, D.C. to help pay their living expenses.
Applications are accepted year-round for positions in the fall and spring semesters, as well as for shorter commitments. Because of the large number of applicants for summer positions, students applying for a position in Washington, DC are asked to apply by the last week in January. Applications for summer positions in the Portland and Saco offices should be submitted by the last week in February.
To apply, mail your resume with a cover letter explaining briefly why you would like to be an intern, your areas of interest, and what you hope to gain from your experience in Rep. Allen’s office.
For District Office internships in either the Portland or Saco offices, mail your application to:
Representative Tom Allen
Attn: Ann Goodridge
57 Exchange Street, Suite 302
Portland, ME 04101
E-mail inquiries may be sent to: ann.goodridge@mail.house.gov
For Washington, D.C. internships, mail your application to:
Representative Tom Allen
Attn: Jolene Chonko
1127 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Email inquiries may be sent to: jolene.chonko@mail.house.gov
Here’s what former interns have to say about their experience:
Justin Plouffe:
“I had very little experience or education in politics before I interned, so just seeing how a congressional office worked was very interesting. The district office staff also helped me improve my writing and research skills a great deal...Ask a lot of questions about anything that interests you. The office is filled with experienced professionals who have a lot of valuable advice.”
[After interning at the Portland office in the summer of 1997, Justin Plouffe graduated from Princeton University. He worked on Rep. Allen's 1998 re-election campaign and as a legislative aide in the DC office, after which he attended law school. He then served as a law clerk to a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, before moving to Boston to join the law firm of Ropes and Gray.]
Sean Norton:
“My time spent for Tom was extremely rewarding. I got to do more than most interns on Capitol Hill. Everyone (in the DC and the District Offices) treated me as part of the team and gave me meaningful assignments."
[An intern at the Portland office in the summer of 2000, Sean Norton graduated from Cornell University with a BA in both government and economics. After extensive travel in Eastern Europe, Sean joined the litigation department at the law firm of Richards, Spears, Kibbe and Orbe in New York City. He is currently attending Villanova School of Law outside Philadelphia.]
Jolene Chonko:
“I never realized how important the issue of health care was until I worked in a Congressional office. It’s not something you think about in your twenties. It is amazing that such a simple concept is so complex…Interning is like nothing else you will ever experience.”
[After interning in the DC office, Jolene graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in political science. She worked in the Office of the Clerk of the House in DC before returning to Congressman Allen’s office as a full time staff member, from which she candidly admits that she “just can’t stay away.” Her attachment to the DC office notwithstanding, Jolene would some day like to run for public office.]
Erica Campbell:
“There are so many different issues that each Representative has to have an in-depth understanding of before making important decisions that have long-term effects on the people of Maine and nationally. It is a monumental task and one that probably never ends.”
[Erica served as the first intern in Rep. Allen’s District Office, in the spring of 1997. She earned a BA from the University of Maine magna cum laude, and a law degree from Vanderbilt Law School. Currently, Erica works as a consultant for Gary Friedmann and Associates, serves on the board of directors of the Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center, and volunteers as a member of the development committee for the Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.]
Jake Shebel, of Gorham, Maine, interned twice with Rep. Allen, first in the spring of 2004 in the Portland office and later in the winter of 2006 in the D.C. office. Jake is currently pursuing graduate studies at American University.
Thanks to former intern (and current DC staff member) Alison Walsh for her contribution to the development of the internship page.
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