Government Relations Intern

Introduction 

College students from all over the country experience our nation’s capital through various internship programs. A professional internship experience with a Washington, DC, firm can lead to a successful career in law, public service, lobbying, issue advocacy, public relations, consulting, or working on political campaigns. A Washington, DC, internship can spur a college student in many different directions. With this in mind, McAllister & Quinn, a diverse government relations and grants consulting firm located in the heart of Washington, DC, has developed a comprehensive internship program that will give these students unique access to the many different aspects of Washington, DC. McAllister & Quinn has a specialty in grants consulting and lobbying. Our clients include higher education institutions, research universities and institutions, healthcare systems, advanced technology corporations, and non-profits.

We are committed to securing funds for our clients that are transformational for the companies who are awarded them, the people who work at these companies every day, and the communities that surround them. The social impact of our work drives us daily to succeed in securing funding for our industry clients and is a major component of why we do what we do. We know that our success leads to better outcomes, changed lives, and a more equitable society for generations to come.

The McAllister & Quinn 360° Internship Program provides participants with a well-rounded experience of the various components that make Washington, DC, what many have called the most powerful city in the world. The Internship Program is an excellent fit for a college student with a career interest in public policy and federal/foundation funding or sponsored research arena and a desire to explore the various options that exist in that realm.

The McAllister and Quinn Internship Experience

Congress 

Interns will work with McAllister & Quinn professionals to lobby Congress in a virtual or in-person consulting experience. They will assist with scheduling, preparing background materials, monitoring congressional hearings, and joining virtual meetings with congressional offices or congressional briefings when possible.

Grants and Federal Agency Exposure

Interns will gain insight into how federal agencies operate and be exposed to federal and foundation funding mechanisms. They will also learn the critical role that agencies play in the overall federal budget process. This will involve research on federal grants and tracking of other agency activities and announcements.
 

Policy and Programmatic Research 

Interns will be responsible for developing policy and program-specific research memos and reports to be utilized by McAllister & Quinn and shared with various clients of the firm. We will work with interns to demonstrate the importance of strong writing, attention to detail, prioritization, and attention to meeting internal deadlines.

Political Fundraising

Interns will get first-hand experience in the political process by making political fundraising phone calls and attending virtual fundraisers with Members of Congress when possible 
 

Consulting and Office Culture 

Interns will experience how a consulting firm operates with an emphasis on client service interaction and the overall culture of an over 90-person consulting firm operating in a hybrid remote/in-person environment. Interns will assist in building internal team resources and infrastructure to support multiple client service models. Interns will receive guidance, knowledge, and direct feedback on the importance of communication skills, virtual communication etiquette, professionalism, networking, and other keys to success in an office environment.
 

Professional Development and Intern Mentors 

Interns will participate in several McAllister & Quinn sponsored events involving experienced speakers focused on public policy, career development, and other relevant topics. In addition, each intern will be assigned an individual McAllister & Quinn mentor who will serve as a resource and sounding board for career advice, resume development, networking and other areas. 

Program Specifics

• Strong preference for in-person internship opportunities, but willing to consider remote options depending on business and practice needs. Our office is currently operating on a hybrid work structure.
• McAllister & Quinn offers an hourly paid internship program on a need-basis, primarily in the spring and fall, to full-time candidates (30+ hrs) who are not receiving course credit. McAllister & Quinn will gladly work with universities to enable students to satisfy course credit requirements through the internship program.
• Strong written and verbal English skills are required for internal communications on virtual platforms. Prior experience in an office setting is a plus.
• In addition to routine administrative support, interns typically:  
• Conduct substantive issue/topic area research related to trends and priorities of client institutions, analysis of federal budgets and appropriations, as well as related legislative and federal policy matters
• Prospect for federal and foundation funding opportunities and synthesize relevant information for staff and client briefings
• Create organizational profiles for business development purposes
•  Assist in the preparation for, as well as attend, virtual/webcast Congressional hearings/meetings
• Produce summaries and analyses of attended events
• Assist with fundraising events
• Students are required to find their own housing for the duration of their internship.
• Students are required to work a 30+ hour week (minimum) with a preference for 35 – 40 hrs per week