Internships
FMC accepts undergraduate and graduate student interns for the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply. Our interns assist with FMC’s international programs and domestic initiatives, and we recommend applicants familiarize themselves with the work we do by browsing through our website. Language proficiency and Hill experience are a plus, but are not required. For more information about the specific positions, please see the descriptions below.
To apply, send an email with a cover letter, current resume, a short writing sample (no more than three pages), and contact information for three references attached to Ms. Rachel Haas at RHaas -at- usafmc (dot) org. Please specify for which position you are applying.
You can meet our current and past interns here!
Internship Application Deadlines
Summer Internship………….May 1 (The positions have been filled for Summer 2013, but we are now recruiting for Fall 2013.)
Fall Internship………………..August 1
Spring Internship ……………November 1
Internship Descriptions
The Congressional Study Group on Japan Fellow
Domestic Initiatives Intern
The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) is seeking a highly qualified intern to support its Domestic Initiatives. The Association is a non-profit, bipartisan, and non-advocacy organization with a membership of over 500 former Representatives and Senators. In addition to its alumni activities for former Members, FMC serves as the secretariat for a number of major domestic and international programs engaging its membership and current Members of Congress.
Your tasks as an intern would be focused on aiding in event planning and support for FMC’s many programs, including the Common Ground project, Congress to Campus, the Annual Meeting and Charitable Golf Tournament, panels at the National Archives, and many other civically- or politically-minded events. We encourage you to browse our website to learn more. These events involve former and current Members of Congress, as well as other high-level government officials, leaders of the diplomatic community, and foundation/think-tank representatives. Other tasks vary, ranging from managing FMC’s social media, to providing office/administrative support, to writing/researching/editing information for the Association’s numerous programs. Interns will also attend and cover Association-sponsored events on Capitol Hill, and be responsible for drafting reports.
Because the Association plans numerous high-profile events, applicants must be comfortable interacting with VIPs; be extremely motivated, flexible, and responsible; and have an in-depth knowledge of internet research and MS Office programs. Familiarity with CRM databases, knowledge of German, Turkish or Japanese, and/or Capitol Hill experience is a plus.
Although this is an unpaid position, the Association’s balance of domestic and international programs provides invaluable experience in many applicable fields, and college credit is available.
International Programs Intern
The Congressional Study Groups of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) is seeking a highly qualified intern to provide support for FMC’s Congressional Study Groups on Germany, Turkey, Japan, and Europe—as well as the Diplomatic Advisory Council (DAC). The role of the Study Groups is to link Members of the U.S. Congress with legislators and leaders of other countries, and to provide opportunities for lawmakers from abroad to speak candidly with U.S. lawmakers about matters of mutual importance. The DAC is an informal body comprised of current Ambassadors serving in the nation’s capital. The purpose of the DAC is to encourage quality dialogue between ambassadors and current and former Members of Congress. We encourage you to browse our website to learn more.
Your tasks as an intern would be focused on assisting in event planning for the Association’s international programs, including planning overseas study tours. These events and tours involve former and current Members of Congress, as well as other high-level government leaders, Embassy officials, and foundation/think-tank representatives. Other tasks vary, ranging from providing basic administrative tasks and office support to writing/researching/editing information for the Association’s numerous programs. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend and cover FMC sponsored events on Capitol Hill, and be responsible for drafting summary reports.
Because the Association plans numerous high-profile events, applicants must be comfortable interacting with VIPs; be extremely motivated, flexible, and responsible; and have an in-depth knowledge of internet research and MS Office programs. Familiarity with CRM databases, knowledge of German, Turkish or Japanese, and/or Capitol Hill experience is a plus.
Although this is an unpaid position, the Association’s balance of domestic and international programs provides invaluable experience in many applicable fields, and college credit is available.
The Congressional Study Group on Japan Fellow
The Congressional Study Group on Japan (CSGJ) – a non-partisan, non-advocacy legislative exchange committed to providing a forum for Members of the U.S. Congress to engage in frank and candid dialogue on all issues impacting the strategic bilateral relationship – is seeking highly-qualified candidates for a part-time fellowship position.
The fellow would be focused on assisting in program development and event planning, the core of which are issue-specific roundtable discussions with current and former Members of Congress, senior congressional staff, Administration officials, visiting foreign dignitaries, the diplomatic community, and transpacific foundation and think-tank representatives. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit http://usafmc.org/international-programs/congressional-study-groups/ to learn more.
Other tasks vary from corporate and institutional development to contact management and invitation tracking to basic administrative tasks and office support. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend and cover events hosted by The Congressional Study Groups on Capitol Hill, and will be responsible for drafting summary reports.
Because our programs are high-profile events, applicants must be comfortable interacting with VIPs; be extremely flexible, motivated, professional, and responsible; and have excellent writing skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of internet research and comfort with MS Office programs. Working Japanese language proficiency is required. Study abroad experience and/or Capitol Hill experience is preferred.
The fellow is expected to commit 20 hours per week for at least 3-4 months. Thanks to underwriting by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, this fellowship includes a modest stipend.