Rutgers Summer Service in Washington, DC

• Rutgers Summer Service in Washington, D.C. (RSS-DC) provides select undergraduate students from all Rutgers campuses with an opportunity to earn up to $3,500 while interning in Washington, D.C., for a minimum of 150 hours over eight weeks during the summer at a government office or public service non-profit organization. Students will also participate in a concurrent in-person internship course designed to engage with the topic of public service while building their career readiness and professionalism skills.
• Students are required to attend two in-person events/seminars on campus at the beginning and end of the program.

The RSS-DC course is a 3-credit, in-person internship course. This course is meant to ground students’ experience at their public service internships, providing them with the theoretical foundation and professional and civic skillset to thrive in their work and take advantage of all that Washington, DC has to offer. Through readings, reflections, and guest speakers, students will explore and engage with the topic of public service while building their career readiness and professionalism.

The application process for RSS-DC is open to current Rutgers University sophomores and juniors from all schools. Applicants must have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good standing with the university. Applicants must also be able to live in Washington, DC for the duration of their internship and have the ability to travel to their internship site. They must also have a passion for government work and/or a desire to engage in public service.

Yes, international students eligible for Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) can apply to the RSS-DC Program. This includes the fulfillment of at least one academic year in the United States. You can find additional information on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) here.

Stipends, Free Housing, and Experience: Students selected for RSS-DC receive $3,500 for completing a hands-on summer internship with a minimum of 150 hours in public service where they make a difference, contribute to solutions of societal problems, view the workings of the government from a fresh perspective, and develop a better understanding of practical politics.

Note: students are responsible for applicable taxes.

Knowledge and Scholarships: Accepted students participate in a course designed to explore and engage with the topic of public service while building their career readiness and professionalism skills. RSS-DC students also receive a scholarship to cover the expense of the 3-credit course.

Networking and Events: Meet talented students across Rutgers University who have a passion for making the world a better place. Students selected for RSS-DC will participate in a variety of in-person events where they will hear from guest speakers from the world of public service and build fellowship with one another. After their summer internship experience, students will share their stories and experiences at a September celebration with the broader university community. RSS-DC students will also be invited to various networking events in Washington, DC, where they will have the opportunity to engage with Rutgers alumni, friends of the university, and others!

• All eligible students must apply by January 27. 2023. Candidates will have to complete an application form, attach a resume and unofficial transcript, and respond to the essay prompts. The application form also asks for the names, titles, and contact information of two references, with at least one being an academic reference.
• Student applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and RSS-DC administrators. All student applicants will be notified of their status in the program by the end of February, 2023.
• Internship placement will be facilitated by the RSS-DC program. Specific information about the placement process will be shared with applicants upon admission to the program.

Yes, though it will need to be approved by the RSS-DC program. Specific information about this process will be shared with applicants upon admission to the program.

Yes, you may. However, you are not eligible for selection into RSS-DC if you have already been matched with an internship through RSSI. You will need to decide between RSS-DC and RSSI before you go through any internship matching process.

Contact rss-dc@rutgers.edu.

 All internship sites must:

• Have a mission in service to the public.
• Provide an in-person immersive, high-impact learning experience.
• Host an intern for a minimum of 150 hours over 8 weeks between June 5 and July 28, 2023.
• Be either a government office or a nonprofit organization located in Washington, DC.
• Employers will be expected to provide time off on Fridays for students to engage in academic coursework related to the program.

Any government agency or nonprofit organization may request a Rutgers intern. The students will only be available to participate in internships between the dates of June 5 and July 28.

Yes, you may offer as many as you would like. We, however, cannot guarantee Rutgers intern placement in any/all offered positions.  

All internships must have a significant in-person component. A hybrid format is acceptable, but not preferred.

The summer internship matching process will take place in March and April. Student internship placements will be confirmed no later than May 1, 2023.

Given the size of the cohort, we cannot guarantee a Rutgers intern for all offered positions. The goal is to match students with internships that best fit their interests and career goals.