Austin Internship Resources
Background
The TTU Legislative internship was established in 2008. The Texas Legislature meets January to June of every odd-numbered year. Interns will be selected the fall semester proceeding each Legislative session.
Internships
The Legislative internship program is offered during the spring semester of every-odd numbered year. 5 interns will be selected to participate in the program. Interns will live and work full-time in Austin for the duration of the Legislative session they are selected for. Interns will be placed in the offices of ranking members of the Legislature or statewide elected officials. The internships are unpaid. Before leaving for Austin, interns attend two orientation sessions to help prepare them for the experience. Interns also attend two socials to get to know the other interns and President’s office staff.
Academic Credit
Each intern must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours and a maximum of 12 hours at Texas Tech University while interning in Austin. Interns work with their department to try to gain academic credit for their internship experience that fits into their degree plan. Students who need more hours to meet the minimum 6 hour requirement, or who need to earn elective hours can be enrolled in a general studies course. These credit hours are earned through the interns' work at the Capitol, weekly email journals, a paper on their internship experience and participation in an intern newsletter. Furthermore, interns are enrolled as "full time" students at Texas Tech University during the internship due to the number of hours worked each week.
Scholarship
The Beaumont Foundation has agreed to provide a $7,000 scholarship to each of 5 Texas Tech University students each Legislative session. The scholarship will be used to help defray the costs of living associated with the internship. Interns are responsible for their tuition (students receive an off-campus fee waiver), housing, travel to and from Austin and entertainment.
Qualifications
Undergraduate students must have earned 60 hours and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Graduate students must have a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA.
*All majors are encouraged to apply
Other Important Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate effectively through both oral and written means
- Involvement at Texas Tech
- Ability to get along with diverse groups of people
- Desire to learn and work hard
- Well mannered
To Apply
Turn in the following documents to President's Office Administration Room 150:
- The application and essays (typed)
- Transcript (unofficial is acceptable)
- Resume
- Letters of Recommendation
(preferably 3)
- At least one letter from faculty at Texas Tech University