The Panetta Institute’s annual Congressional Internship Program, which begins in mid-August and ends in late November, combines a rigorous two-week academic orientation to national politics and protocol at the Panetta Institute in Monterey, CA, with an eleven-week experiential education as a Panetta intern in a Washington, D.C. office of a California member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon completion of all requirements for this course of study, interns will earn 20 academic units that will be posted to their university transcripts.

The internship is open to students from all majors, but an applicant should have an interest in public service. To qualify, a student must be a U.S. Citizen and California resident, be enrolled in a degree-granting program at Cal Poly Humboldt, have achieved a minimum 60 graded units but no more than 120 units, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The recommended applicant must also pass a background check.

To apply, the applicant should submit the following as one packet in pdf format: a resume, complete college transcript (unofficial is fine), a two-page essay addressing the student's interest in participating in the Panetta Congressional Internship Program, and a sample of a graded college essay (minimum 3 pages, must show grade and instructor comments).

Qualified applicants will be interviewed by a campus committee, which will forward their feedback to President Spagna, who will recommend a finalist to the Panetta Institute. To confirm their selection, the finalist will be interviewed by a panel at the Panetta Institute in Monterey, CA (travel expenses paid) in the first week of May.

For additional information consult the attached detailed program description and position description for the internship and candidate requirements.

Submit questions and application materials to panetta@humboldt.edu.

Applications are due electronically in pdf format no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.