Why do all Public Policy Studies majors complete an internship? The internship is a culmination of all of your core coursework and gives you a chance to see how the skills you have acquired in these classes apply in a real world context. It also gives you a chance to gain exposure to different parts of the policy field and helps you on your way to finding a job post-graduation.

1. THE
INTERNSHIP
GUIDE
For Public Policy Majors

2. Don’t tackle this challenge alone. We are here to
support you!
• Problems with Sanford Career Link, contact
heather.griswold@duke.edu
• Questions about the internship? Want suggestions on
places to apply? Meet with Suzanne or Elise in the
Internship Office Sanford Suite 257
-Make an appointment through Sanford CareerLink (SCL)
• Find PubPol 120 Syllabus deliverables and deadlines
are in the SCL document library

3. 15 MINUTES CAN SAVEYOU HOURS!
It takes no more than 15 minutes to review these slides,
but they will save you hours of trouble, frustration and
wasted time. Getting an internship can take up to 12
months, so return to this information whenever you are
uncertain about your next step.

4. 15 MINUTES CAN SAVEYOU HOURS!
This presentation explains how to get an
internship in six easy steps:
1. Get Started
2. Complete Resumé (approved by TA)
3. Meet with Internship Staff to start a list of 20 places to
apply
4. Develop Targeted Cover Letter
5. Complete 20 applications
6. Fulfill Requirements ON TIME

5. COURSES
Complete before internship:
• PUBPOL 155
• PUBPOL 301
• PUBPOL 302
• PUBPOL 303 or ECON
201D
• STATS 101

6. HOUR REQUIREMENTS
• School Year Internships
• 1 Semester: 280 hours total (20hrs/week)
• 2 Semesters: 280 hours total (10hrs/week)
• Summer Internships
• 350 hours total
• Combined Summer/School Year Internships
• 300 hours total

7. STEP 1: Get Started
• Create a Sanford CareerLink (SCL) account
• Complete your Personal and Academic profiles on
SCL
(Jobs, Internships, and Employer listings are only visible once these are
completed)
• Create your LinkedIn profile; connect with Elise and
Suzanne
• RSVP and Attend a mandatory information session
(Dates and times will be listed in SCL under
“Workshops”)

8. STEP 2: Complete Resume
• Prepare your resume with your internship TA
using SCL template
 found in the SCL Document Library
• Upload your resume for approval on SCL
 once your TA gives you the OK
• Sanford Internship staff will review your resume
and provide final feedback

9. STEP 3: Meet with Internship Staff to
start a list of 20 places to apply
Make an appointment using SCL with
Elise or Suzanne to begin filling in a
spreadsheet in SCL that includes at least
20 possible internships and their
deadlines.

10. Bring to your meeting:
1. Your computer
2. At least 5 ideas for potential internships
3. Your approved resume
After each meeting, * email your next steps to
your TA and both Suzanne & Elise, the
Sanford Internship Staff
*Always put your full name in the subject line of emails

11. Sources for internship ideas
Internship Databases
• Sanford CareerLink
 Read evaluations from previous student
internships
• LinkedIn
• Idealist
• Indeed
• Brad Traverse
• UCAN & i-net
(See Duke Career Center Site)
Watch out for
early deadlines!
The State Dept.,
CIA and other
federal agencies
have early Fall
deadlines.

12. Duke Internship Programs
• Stanback Internships
• Hart Leadership Program/SOL/ELI/LAPI
• Summer Internships in India
• Duke in DC
• Duke Engage
 Qualified DE programs are listed in SCL document library

13. AcademicYear Internships
• The only way to complete an academic year internship is through
the Local Internship Program.
• Notify Elise Goldwasser before February 1st of your Junior Year if
you plan to participate in the Local Internship Program . Failing to
do so may delay your graduation.
• Research with faculty will NOT meet your Public Policy internship
requirement.
• Visit the Career & Internship Services Office in the Sanford Building,
Suite 257, or make an appointment through Sanford CareerLink if
you have questions.

14. STEP 4: Develop Targeted Cover Letter
Work with Elise or Suzanne to develop your
first cover letter customized to a specific
internship’s job description.

15. STEP 5: Apply to 20 Internships
If you need more support, more ideas,
ways to connect with former interns or
alums at the organization(s) you are
applying to, meet with or contact
Suzanne or Elise

16. BEFOREYOU ACCEPT AN
INTERNSHIP
• Go to Sanford CareerLink
 Create an Internship
Record
 Look under “shortcuts” on
the home page
 Click “add new
experience”
 When finished, press
“submit”
• Record will be reviewed
within 7 business days
• When approved:
 Your supervisor will
receive an e-mail at the
address you provided
asking for approval
 Your supervisor must
agree to complete an
evaluation before August
1st

17. PLEASE NOTE:
• All internships are subject to Sanford Internship
staff approval
• Even if an organization is already listed as an
employer in Sanford CareerLink, your specific
internship is subject to review and approval or
rejection based on the work plan you submit

18. STEP 6: Fulfill Requirements
2 Evaluations
 1 Memo

19. STEP 6: Fulfill PubPol 120 Requirements
onTime
• Submit Student Evaluation via SCL by August 1st
 Click on Internship Record next to the red circle on Student
Evaluation (Note: icon only visible if the internship record is filled
out)
• Meet with your internship supervisor to review your
performance
• Ensure your supervisor completed your evaluation by August 1st
 Check the status of your internship requirements under your name
on the Profile page on SCL
• Write and upload your 5-page memo by August 1st

20. MEMO DETAILS
• Write your 5-page double spaced memo; refer to sample
memos in the SCL document library
• You must include 3 concrete links to specific concepts from
core courses
• Use this file name notation: Last two digits of the current year,
last name, first name, memo. file type
 e.g. (18LastnameFirstnameMemo.PDF)
• Upload to documents page in SCL
 select “Memo/Other Documents”

21. PUBPOL 120
• PUBPOL 120 is REQUIRED TO GRADUATE
and it is a Pass/Fail course
• It is a Zero-Credit course and it is FREE
• Students who do not meet the syllabus
deadlines will receive a failing grade on their
transcripts

22. DEADLINES
• Spring Internships
• Dec. 1 – internship record; April 1 – memo
• May 1 – student and supervisor evaluations
• Summer Internships
• May 1 – internship record
• August 1 – memo
• August 1 – student and supervisor evaluations
• Fall Internships
• Sept 1 – internship record; November 1 – memo
• Dec. 1 – student and supervisor evaluations
Meet these deadlines by 11:59 p.m. on the dates below
Meet with Sanford Internship staff before Spring Break of your JUNIOR
YEAR

23. TIPS
• Put your name in the subject line of all emails to
Sanford Internship staff
• Use the cover letter, resume and other templates in
the SCL Document Library
• Ask Sanford Internship staff about possible funding if
your desired internship is unpaid
• Pay attention to deadlines to avoid missing
application dates and failing PUBPOL 120

24. QUESTIONS?
Visit Sanford CareerLink for more information OR to
make an appointment with Suzanne or Elise, the
Internship Services staff.
The Career & Internship Services Office is located in
the Sanford Building, Suite 257.