Intern directly with working legislators!
The UVM Vermont Legislative Internship Program is a professional opportunity–open to students studying at Vermont colleges or universities–that matches part-time interns with Vermont lawmakers from January to May. Interns complete essential tasks, services, and provide support to legislators, committees and staff at the Vermont State House in Montpelier.
By becoming a part of the Legislature, you will engage with not only legislators but also professionals uniquely involved with real-world issues you may care about including judiciary, education, energy, commerce, technology, corrections, health care, and more.
Nonprofits, for-profits, lobbying firms, and Vermont citizens regularly converge at the State House to debate policies that affect the lives of Vermonters. While the work will be particularly engaging for students interested in the political process, the experience will also appeal to students interested in research and policy on a wide range of areas. All students will develop professional skills while working in a fast-paced environment.
Our Mission
Unlike most legislators across the country, Vermont lawmakers do not have personal staff. This program aims to provide high-quality assistance to legislators—supporting them with tasks they would typically delegate to staff. Through this work, we strive to foster meaningful, non-partisan engagement among students, legislators, and Vermonters throughout the policymaking process.
Potential intern tasks and projects
- Attend and summarize committee hearings
- Provide concise policy summaries and reports
- Track and summarize bills
- Provide constituent services
- Social media support
- Event planning
- Write press releases and letters
Program Expectations
Students must be prepared to meet professional expectations and deadlines which includes: punctuality, time management, initiative, attend take notes and summarize long, tedious or complex meetings, respond quickly, creatively problem solve, be detail oriented, and make the most of this unique experience, even if it’s boring. In return, you will have an unforgettable learning experience, expand your network, and develop in-demand professional skills that will prepare you for a future career in politics, policy or any work environment.
Skills required in a potential intern
- Excellent self-direction, initiative
- Time management and organization
- Detail oriented
- Communication and response skills
- Research and analytical skills
- Note-taking
- Self-advocacy
- Writing skills
- Patience and flexibility
Internship Requirements & Logistics:
This program requires that all interns go to the State House in Montpelier weekly, fi nd their own transportation. UVM students must also attend class on campus every Monday. Additionally, all interns are expected to work a minimum of approximately 10 hours per week for their legislator(s) or on legislative-oriented work, for a total of 200 hours. Class time and travel time are not included in the 200 hours.
Weekly Schedule
The Legislature meets from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Some committees meet before 8 AM. Students are required to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week in person at the State House. We ask that students arrange their schedules to include at least one weekday without classes in order to travel to the State House in Montpelier on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to fulfill this in-person requirement.
Transportation Information
Interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the Vermont State House. Public transportation is available. For UVM students, the Green Mountain Transit (GMT) bus from Burlington to Montpelier takes approximately one hour each way. Non-UVM students should consult the GMT schedule for route and timing information.
Because legislators represent communities across Vermont, interns may occasionally be asked to travel to other parts of the state to visit local offices or meet with constituents. Attendance at a town meeting is required.
Carpooling with other interns in the program is strongly encouraged.
Program Schedule & Matching
The Vermont Legislative Internship Program follows UVM’s Winter & Spring semester schedules.
Intern-Legislator or Committee Matches: Interns will be matched with legislators or committee by mid-to-late November and will be expected to meet with your legislator at least once before December 19, 2025 to introduce yourself, discuss tasks and scheduling.
Weeks 1 & 2: Dec 26 – January 2
The first 6 days of the program (Friday, Dec 26 + Mon, Dec 29 – Fri, Jan 2) will be remote and will consist of training modules designed to prepare you for the upcoming internship experience.
Week 3: January 5 – January 9
Your internship will begin in-person during the third week of the program to align with the start of the Legislative Session. You’ll need to be back in Vermont and ready to go for the start of your internship.
Monday, January 5 – Tuesday, January 6: In-person training at the State House, Montpelier.
Wednesday, January 7: Legislature opens and the internship begins. Individual schedules will vary.
Weeks 4 – 20: January 12 – May 8
Internship continues as scheduled with the exception of:
March 2 – 6: Legislature closed for Town Meeting Day. Interns will likely be asked to attend Town Meeting in their legislator’s district.
Application Process:
The application opens on September 19th. Fill out the application form by October 15. You will be asked to answer short answer and multiple choice questions about your professional experience, skills, and upload a one-page writing sample.
If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted to schedule an interview with the course instructor.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be in your 3rd or 4th year of college. Credit-standing does not apply.
- Have a 3.3 GPA or above
- Attend an information session prior to applying
- If selected, attend an interview with instructor
- Have ability to travel to the State House once per week
Step One: Required Information Session
Step Two: Apply
Complete the application form by October 15. You will be asked to answer short answer and multiple choice questions about your professional experience, skills, and upload a one-page writing sample.
Credit Information (UVM Students)
Because the Vermont Legislative Session does not line up exactly with UVM’s academic calendar, students in this program will be required to enroll in the Winter Session in addition to the Spring course for a total of 5 credits.
Credit Details
The program awards a total of 5 internship credits:
- Winter session – 2 credits (CAS 2991 OL1/OL2)
- Spring session – 3 credits (CAS 2920 D/E)
The Vermont Legislative Internship Program counts as elective internship credit. However, if the program is related to a student’s major or minor, they can request that the credit count toward their major or minor by contacting their department chairperson.
Political Science students: With the approval of the chair or the director of undergraduate studies, this internship experience may be substituted for the POLS elective. Contact Peter VonDoepp to request approval.
Required Course Meeting Times
The academic course associated with this program, CAS 2920 D/E will meet every Monday from 3:30 – 3:45 PM on campus during the Spring semester.
Credit Information (Non-UVM Students)
Non-UVM students (those who are full-time students at another college or university) will not earn credit from UVM for this program.
Credit may be earned through your home institution provided that this program meets all related requirements. You will be responsible for arranging credit at your home institution and relaying all requirements to Liz First-Raddock, program director.
Registration Details
Upon admission to the program, non-UVM students will receive a link through which they will register for the program. At the time of registration, a $25 fee will be collected (+ credit card processing fee, if applicable).
Non-UVM students MUST register by December 19, 2025 to participate in the upcoming session..
Non-UVM student expectations
Non-UVM students ARE expected to complete all aspects of the orientation, training, and internship. Access will be provided to all program materials via Brightspace, UVM’s Learning Management System.
Non-UVM students are NOT expected to attend the Monday 3:30-4:45pm academic course component of the program and are NOT expected to complete academic course assignments.
Student Testimonials:
“This experience is a good transition into the “work world”. I feel as though I am able to talk to adults in a professional manner without any anxiety or nervousness.”
“The skills I learned that have been particularly useful in this experience are how to advocate for myself when concerns/worries arise, clearly communicate when in need of clarification, and set boundaries when scheduling around my other work. Other skills specific to the internship that I have learned are how to track bills, answer constituents via email, take concise notes during committee meetings, and relay information.”
“This class has helped me solidify my belief that political science is definitely what I want to study as an undergraduate.”
Liz First-Raddock (she/her)
Faculty Mentor
Liz First-Raddock has over 25 years of experience in media, journalism, and local government and advocacy. She has worked for various local radio stations including Vermont Public Radio, WBUR-FM, the Burlington Free Press, and more recently at VT Digger and the Vermont Office of Legislative Operations. In her role as Legislative Internship Program Coordinator and now faculty mentor, Liz has worked with over 100 students to get them engaged and working directly with the Vermont Legislature.
What have students said about the UVM Legislative Internship Program?
“Highly recommend this experience to anyone interested in politics!”
Talia Goldstein
UVM 2022“This was an incredibly informative experience. I feel like I have learned more than I could have from any class. The skills that I have gained from this internship are things I will absolutely be using in my future.”
Intern
UVM 2024“Thank you for the opportunity. It was challenging, but I learned a lot and really am so grateful for the time I spent in the program.”
Matt Sorenson
UVM 2022“I think it is a great opportunity and gives you access to a variety of perspectives on issues that you may never hear of otherwise.”
Intern
UVM 2023“I have already recommended this program to a lot of my classmates and friends. I truly think this has been an invaluable experience in my college career.”
Intern
UVM 2025“The committee interns have been an essential element to our committee this session. Their weekly reports helped shape our policies throughout the session.”
State Legislator
AnonymousStill have questions?
Email cas.internships@uvm.edu — our team would be happy to assist.
