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Hey everyone, I'm putting this here because the politics section is mostly policy discussion. So currently I'm studying urban planning and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I/my parents live in Minneapolis, and I want to see if I can get some sort of internship over the summer with my neighborhood city councilwoman, or perhaps one of another neighborhood if that doesn't work out. Does anyone have any tips for me regarding internships with elected officials? Or trying to work at an entry level position in local government? Thanks!
If your interest is urban planning, you're probably better off looking for an internship position in the planning department, where you will work with planners, rather than with the city council, where you would be working with electeds. I'm sure it would be valuable experience too, but you would see things more from the policy side than from the nuts-and-bolts side. Especially for someone studying theory, it can be very, very useful to deal with more concrete things (like planning projects) than policy. I did an internship for the historic preservation office of my city planning department, it was very instructive to sit in on meetings where decisions were being made about individual projects.
I interned in my 30s with New Orleans City Council (one specific city councilperson). I LOVED it, best experience ever (and I've been working in corporate America for 10 years).
I always put my best into my internship...and I have been amazed with the younger people who got internships yet just acted like they didn't care, didn't show up for days, etc.
Most of the urban planning done anywhere is in the public sector, but the planning is not done by the city councilmembers' staff. Generally there is a separate planning department as part of the city government.
In the case of Minneapolis, this is the department you want:
Get in touch with the planning department and ask about internships--try the planning director and their support person. They should be able to get you started.
TBG: Maybe I misunderstood--I thought you were looking for an internship that would involve you with urban planning. If you are specifically looking for an internship with a city council member, which will probably be more of a general office position (interns for council staff typically do things like answer phones, make copies, type up newsletters etc.) with potentially a little sitting in on neighborhood meetings or public functions that the councilmember attends, the place to start would be here:
Generally you'll want to contact each city council member's staff person asking if they take interns, rather than the city council member, unless you already know them. In terms of "tips for getting an in," that really depends on the person and the place, and there isn't a lot of general advice other than be persistent, don't be afraid to say hi, and be nice--write a cover letter, send a thank-you note, etcetera.
You want someone here to personally offer you an internship? Not gonna happen.
Get up and find work to find it yourself.
No, that is not what I want. I just want specific tips on ways to get in touch with someone, in the hopes of an internship. For example, is emailing the best way? Or phone call? Or something else? And perhaps it's good to have certain things on my resume that they will like more than other things? Thats the kind of info I'd prefer.
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