Why an internship? 

• Learn through practical experience
• Invaluable as a means of professional networking and career advancement
• Make connections between regular classroom work and possible profession
• Earn college credit
• Intern in DC via our affiliation with The Washington Center

Placements

• national, state, and local executive and legislative offices
• government agencies
• political campaigns
• party and interest group organizations,
• think tanks
• judicial agencies
• law firms
• international business
• international non-government organizations (NGOs).

For Employers

If you are interested in sponsoring an internship, please email us at plsdept@gvsu.edu with the following:

• Position Description
• Estimated hours
• Length of Position
• How to apply
• Contact information

Set Up Your Internship

Internship Syllabus
PLS & IR Internship Syllabus

Experience Matters
See examples of GVSU Political Science internships from each student's perspective at the Experience Matters site.

Contacts

Political Science: Dr. Donald Zinman
Phone: (616) 331-8714; Email: zinmand@gvsu.edu

International Relations: Dr. Polly Diven
Phone: (616) 331-3282; Email: divenp@gvsu.edu

Jobs & Careers

The department faculty work closely with Career Services and students on internships and career advising. Students are highly encouraged to pursue an internship. Capstone professors help senior students to prepare for careers and graduate school. For more information, consult our career guide and visit with your faculty advisor. 

Career options

• Advocacy
• Business
• Campaigns & elections
• Communication
• Criminal justice
• Education
• Government
• International affairs
• Law
• Non-profit
• Public administration and policy

Graduate & Law School

Political science is a suitable major for many graduate programs:

• Business
• Communication
• Criminal justice
• Education
• International relations
• Law (Pre-law information)
• Political science
• Public administration
• Public Policy
• Earn a dual degree in political science and law through LEAP. Earn a BA or BS from GVSU political science and a JD from Michigan State University College of Law

For more information:
Pre-law 
See the graduate school section of our career guide.