Post-Grad Intern & Fellowships
There are a number of opportunities for MPA students to continue their learning after completion of their degree and to gain valuable professional experience. These internships and fellowships often lead to full-time positions afterward. As announcements of these opportunities become available, the MPA director regularly emails all MPA students about them.
Federal Opportunities
Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF)
This is the premier federal internship program and is highly selective. The PMF is a two-year paid internship program with the federal government. The PMF is designed to attract men and women of exceptional management potential who will receive special training in planning and managing public programs and policies to build excellence in the federal service. The program emphasizes a variety of career experiences, including the opportunity to serve in several different federal agencies. Highly qualified students are encouraged to apply to this program as they near the end of the MPA program. Applications for the PMF are taken only once a year, usually beginning about October 1st and only have a narrow time window. The MPA director must also nominate individuals interested in applying for the PMF for the program. If you are interested in this program, please consult with the MPA director before the application deadlines.
State and Local Government Internships and Fellowships
Many states and larger cities also have post-graduate internships and fellowships that lead to good employment opportunities. Among them are:
- New York State’s Public Management Institute Internships
- Loudon County, VA, Management Training Program
- Maryland Governor’s Policy Fellows Program
- The City of Phoenix, Arizona
- NC Carolina State Government Internship Program: Most of these internships are directed at individuals who have not completed their degrees, but some are still open to graduates.
- Firescience.org: This site addresses several public safety and service career fields.
Other Internships and Fellowships
Various other organizations also regularly advertise with MPA Programs about their post-graduate opportunities. Among them is the Governmental Accounting Standards Board which annually offers its Postgraduate Technical Assistant Program. This program is an excellent opportunity for students interested in the financial management aspects of public administration.
Additional Sources of Information
The following organizations maintain information about internships, fellowships, and jobs, some of which are open to post-graduates as well as pre-graduates.
Our accrediting body, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) maintains a site on which various internships are posted.
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)
ASPA is the major association for public administration in the United States. Students are given a discount for membership.
North Carolina City & County Managers Association (NCCMA)
NCCCMA is the principal organization for city and county managers in the state. Its web site also contains various internship and employment opportunities.
International City Managers Association (ICMA)
ICMA is the principal professional organization for city managers, both nationally and internationally. Its web site contains mostly employment opportunities.