Internships

Thank you for your interest in serving as a Congressional Intern in my congressional offices.  I am pleased to offer students this unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative branch of government.

The internship programs are designed to provide students with an understanding of the core functions of a congressional office, including responding to constituent inquiries, researching legislation, developing public policy, and observing the legislative process firsthand by attending committee meetings, hearings, and a variety of lecture series.

Summer Internship: Applicants must be enrolled in college, in their first year of post-secondary studies, with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average and possess good writing and computer skills. Preference will be given to residents of California's 23rd Congressional District (which includes most of Kern and Tulare counties and part of Los Angeles County); however, all applications will be considered. Summer interns are responsible for their expenses, including transportation and lodging costs, and are eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend, before taxes, if they intern in both the district and D.C. offices. The Summer Internship program will be an 8 week session; interns will spend 2 weeks in the Bakersfield district office and 6 weeks in the Washington, D.C. office. Students are also required to submit a resume and a 250 word essay detailing their interest in the Summer Internship program and what they expect to learn from the experience.

Deadline:  Applications and supporting documents for the Summer Internship positions must be received no later than the third Friday in March, but applicants are advised to submit their application as early as possible as decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

Fall, Winter and Spring Internships: Internships are also available year round in my Washington, D.C. and Bakersfield, California offices.  Applications for the 12-week internships during the fall, winter and spring will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application Procedures:  View, complete, and print the Summer Internship Application or Fall, Winter, Spring Internship Application. Once you have completed the application, please submit your application, resume and essay describing your interest in a congressional internship and what you expect to learn from your experience to one of the following:

SUBMISSION:

For Fall, Winter and Spring Washington, D.C. Internships, please submit application and supporting documents to:
Trevor Smith
Fax: (202) 225-2908
Phone: (202) 225-2915
Email: Trevor.Smith@mail.house.gov

For Summer Washington, D.C. and Bakersfield District Office Internships, please submit application and supporting documents to:
Robin Lake-Foster
Fax: (661) 631-9535
Phone: (661) 327-3611
Email: Robin.Lake-Foster@mail.house.gov

If you prefer to mail your application and supporting documents for either the Washington or Bakersfield Internship, please mail to:
Intern Coordinator
Congressman Kevin McCarthy
4100 Empire Drive, Suite 150
Bakersfield, California 93309