Legislative Intern Program

The Alumni Relations Office, in conjunction with the Governmental Relations Office, coordinates the Legislative Intern Program, placing current students or new graduates in the offices of Virginia legislators during the General Assembly session.

All current students are eligible to apply. Preference is given to upperclassmen, although exceptionally qualified underclassmen also will be considered. The legislative intern program is ideal for students who are graduating in December and plan to enroll in law school or other post-graduate work the following fall, as it provides them first-hand experience in the workings of state government and also provides many opportunities to gain valuable experience and contacts.

Interns are selected during the fall semester and serve during the following session, which begins on the second Wednesday of January each year. Qualified interns will possess the following characteristics:

  • Outstanding written and oral communication skills;
  • Strong interpersonal skills;
  • Above average understanding of government/politics;
  • Excellent academic record.

The Office of Governmental Relations will place each intern with one or two state legislators for the entire session of the Virginia General Assembly. Virginia General Assembly sessions begin on the second Wednesday of January and last for 45 days in odd-numbered years and 60 days in even-numbered years. Interns are expected to negotiate work schedules with their legislator's staff. All interns will be expected to work 40 hours each week. Night and weekend work is sometimes required and is requested on an individual basis by the legislator or his/her staff.

Since interns will work full-time in Richmond throughout the entire General Assembly Session, students who need to take classes during the spring semester should carefully discuss the internship and its demands with their academic advisors. The busy schedule kept during the General Assembly session will make commuting between Richmond and Norfolk for weekday classes very difficult. Students who must take classes during the spring semester should arrange to take courses as an independent study or via TELETECHNET, if possible.

The University provides housing in Richmond and a stipend for all interns. Internship credit may be earned by contacting your academic advisor.

For more information, contact: The Old Dominion Alumni Association
Barry M. Kornblau Alumni Center
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-3097
alumni@odu.edu