Professional Internships

Internships are the core of the CMC Washington Program. Internships give students excellent opportunities to apply their knowledge outside the classroom and learn professional skills that improve their employment prospects. Once accepted to the program, Claremont college students are free to pursue internships ranging from legislative opportunities on Capitol Hill to non-profit and private sector positions. There are hundreds of possibilities.

Click here for a list of previous CMC Washington Program internships and here for a resource guide to begin your search. Because the opportunities are vast, students are encouraged to begin searching for internships that match their interests early on, giving themselves plenty of time to apply.

Finding an Internship

Most Claremont interns work a full-time, 40-hour week, distinguishing themselves from other interns in DC. Full-time internships allow students to be treated as regular junior staff and help them integrate quickly into office routines as trusted employees. In cases where full-time internships are not available, 30-hour professional internships may be approved as per the Washington Program policies.

Intern duties vary by organization and assignment. Responsibilities may include drafting legislation, working on foreign policy issues, planning activities for organizations, interacting with visitors and advocacy groups, supporting administrative processes, writing press releases, or conducting research.

Internship Search

Students are responsible for securing their own internships, however, there are plenty of resources available to support students in the process. Students are encouraged to reach out to the following offices and websites for support:

Students are also encouraged to explore the CMC internship database and review the document titled “Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government,” by Congressional Research Service.

Some internships, such as those in the U.S. State Department, require Department of State Security Clearance which tends to take months to receive; CMC recommended deadlines to apply for security clearance for an accepted internship placement (even before being accepted to the program) are:

February 1st or earlier of prior spring for fall semester internships
June 1st or earlier of prior summer for spring semester internships

Internship Sponsors

A commitment to full-time internships combined with a prestigious liberal arts background at the Claremont Colleges makes CMC Washington Program students among the most professional and sought-after interns in Washington, D.C. According to a recent study, CMC is one of the top private colleges in the nation to provide a strong pipeline to congressional employment. Claremont college students arrive well-prepared with in-depth knowledge of U.S. government, politics, economics, and advocacy. This thorough preparation helps ensure that students will quickly become valuable members of a professional team during their time in Washington, D.C.

If you have an internship opening or if you are interested in listing your organization as a prospective internship site on our website, please email WashingtonProgram@cmc.edu.

Recent Internships

United States House of Representatives
United States Senate
The White House
Departments and Agencies of the U.S. Federal Government
Law firms and Political Consulting / Lobbying companies
Independent Agencies of the U.S. Federal Government
Nonprofit / Advocacy Organizations
Think Tanks
Political Organizations
Foreign Embassies
The Smithsonian Institution
National News Media Organizations

For more information about internship placements over the years and current opportunities, please visit Professor John Pitney’s website.

Supervisor Comments

The director of the program overseas GOVT 30: Washington Internship and grades the internships in part based on supervisors’ evaluations. The assessment form includes a list of tasks the student has performed and an evaluation of his/her skills, capabilities and overall professionalism. At the end of the form, supervisors are asked to make additional comments.

Claremont students have distinguished themselves for their excellent work performance. Here are some of the comments their supervisors have made:

Student Testimonials

Nathanael Baumann CMC ’24

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Nathanael: "The D.C. Program allowed me to gain exposure in areas entirely new to me, develop new interests, and experience life in America's most policy-oriented city. I consider the program a formative part of my college experience, and a significant step on my career path."

William Chance ’25

Senator John Cornyn's (R-TX) office. F23

Will: "In Washington, I had the opportunity to witness a number of unprecedented events firsthand including: the Speakership battle and Kevin McCarthy's ouster, a potential government shutdown and tense FY2024 Appropriations process, the debate over continued funding for our ally, Ukraine, the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas War, the border crisis, the Biden impeachment inquiry, and the George Santos expulsion. My front seat to our government's response to these crises and irregularities provided me a unique insight into American politics and the mindsets of critical actors."

Lauren Chen, Scripps ’24

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Lauren: "The Washington DC Program is one of the most valuable things that I participated in during my college career. I learned so much from the program/classes, being in DC itself, my internship at the Securities and Exchange Commission, and through the people I met throughout the semester. I am so grateful for the experience and would definitely recommend Claremont Colleges students to explore the program."

Stephanie Espinoza

The Bipartisan Policy Center. The Housing/Infrastructure Team

Stephanie: "My time in Washington D.C. was the most rewarding experience of my academic career so far. The knowledge and background you gain by being in the city is invaluable."

Brandon Karagozian, Pomona ’24

The White House, Office of the Vice President

Brandon: "My time at Washington DC was one of the most transformative experiences; I grew in ways, both professionally and personally, that has served me beyond working at the White House. The network that I have gained in invaluable, and I have been able to leverage this opportunity beyond college. Because of my DC experience, I look forward to furthering my career in public service by receiving a Master’s in Public Policy."

Richa Parikh CMC ’24

The White House, Office of the Vice President

Richa: "The CMC in DC program was an incredibly rewarding experience. I came out of the semester with a greater understanding of my professional ambitions and the resources to turn these ambitions into reality. At the Vice President's Office, I worked in the Office of Correspondence, and my main role was as an agency liaison for casework. This experience not only honed my professional skills but also gave me profound insights into the real-world impact of public service."

Colin Scanlon CMC ’25

Senator Chuck Schumer

Colin: "Working on Capitol Hill was one of the most unique times of my entire life. To be able to walk throughout the halls of Congress and witness the interworking of our democracy was such a special experience. As a press intern, I was in charge of assisting the most active press team in the entire Senate, for Majority Leader Schumer."

Pieter van Wingerden CMC ’24

The U.S. Congress

Pieter: "To those considering the Washington Program: you will not regret it. There is nothing more rewarding than the opportunity to serve the American people."