Public Policy Internship 100% Remote

VOICE UP PUBLIC POLICY & ADMINISTRATION PURPOSE PATHWAY INTERNSHIP

JOB DESCRIPTION
PUBLIC POLICY & ADMINISTRATION INTERNSHIP
Academic Credit
VOICE UP PUBLIC POLICY & ADMINISTRATION PURPOSE PATHWAY INTERNSHIP
Exploring Purpose at the Intersection of Governance, Public Service, and Democratic Impact
Voice Up's early-stage model has already engaged students and emerging professionals from more than 80 universities and learning environments worldwide, contributing nearly 3,000 hours of logged purpose-driven work.
Public Policy and Administration is the science and practice of designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies that serve the public good. The Voice Up Public Policy & Administration Purpose Pathway Internship invites undergraduate and graduate students to explore the foundational question: How can purpose-driven public servants create policies and programs that improve lives, strengthen communities, and advance democratic governance? Rather than focusing only on bureaucratic processes or political dynamics, students here connect civic values, evidence-based analysis, community engagement, and ethical leadership to the high-impact work of public administration and policy development. This internship is designed to help students explore their emerging professional identity within a field that shapes everything from program management to policy analysis, legislative advocacy, budget oversight, intergovernmental relations, public service delivery, and nonprofit administration.
This program runs on:
The Fuller Method of reflective mentoring and narrative identity development
The B Curriculum for clarity, self-discovery, and meaning-making
Voice Up's Five Core Principles
Applied, real-world policy and administration challenges
Students leave not only with skills but with clarity of purpose, confidence, and a blueprint for contribution in public service.
LEARNING GOALS
Students completing this internship will:
Understand Public Policy as a Purpose-Oriented Discipline
Examine how policy development and public administration are shaped by democratic values, equity, evidence-based practice, civic engagement, and ethical governance.
Connect Personal Values to Public Service
Identify how your own life story, civic experiences, and values intersect with opportunities to serve communities through policy and program development.
Develop Critical Skills in Policy Analysis and Administration
Including policy research and analysis, program evaluation, budget analysis, stakeholder engagement, legislative tracking, grant writing, and strategic planning.
Create Purpose-Based Policy and Program Solutions
Students will design practical policy proposals, program implementation plans, budget analyses, or community engagement strategies.
Craft an Identity as a Public Service Professional
Through narrative writing, mentor support, and reflective practice, students articulate who they are becoming within the field.
INTERNSHIP STRUCTURE (8 12 WEEKS)
WEEKS 1 2 "Know Thyself: The Public Service Lens"
The B Curriculum (Be Curious, Be Honest, Be Courageous )
Personal civic engagement narrative
Fuller Method mentor conversation
Exploration of governance systems and public service impact
Reflection: "How does policy shape community well-being?"
WEEKS 3 4 "Understanding Government through Purpose"
Policy development processes and cycles
Stakeholder engagement and community input
Public program effectiveness analysis
Mini-literature review on policy topic student selects
Skill-building: Policy research and data analysis techniques
WEEKS 5 6 "Purpose in Action: Designing Policy Solutions"
Systems mapping (federal, state, local governance, nonprofit sector)
Budget and fiscal analysis fundamentals
Designing a policy proposal or program implementation plan
Mentor session: refining policy frameworks
Peer collaboration groups
WEEKS 7 8 "Your Public Policy Purpose Blueprint"
Capstone design + written reflection
Policy memo or program evaluation report
Contribution to the Purpose Library
Final mentor session
OPTIONAL WEEKS 9 12 Advanced Policy Analysis Track
Research assistantship support on public policy
Cost-benefit analysis and impact modeling
Program evaluation methodology
Presentation to policymakers, administrators, or elected officials
DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Each student completes:
A Public Service Identity Statement
A reflective piece integrating civic narrative with professional alignment in policy and administration.
A Policy Ecosystem Map
Visualizing how stakeholders, governance structures, and public programs intersect to create community outcomes.
A "Policy Analysis Brief"
Applying evidence-based policy analysis to a real-world governance challenge.
A Purpose-Based Policy or Program Proposal
Such as:
- A legislative policy proposal with fiscal impact analysis
- A public program implementation plan
- A community engagement and participatory governance strategy
- A grant proposal for public or nonprofit service delivery
A Future Pathway Plan
Next steps for MPA/MPP programs, policy fellowships, government service, nonprofit leadership, or legislative careers.
THE THREE PARTICIPATION PATHWAYS
Academic Credit
Volunteer Service
Voice Up University
All pathways receive the same quality of mentorship, access, and purpose development.
ALIGNMENT WITH PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
This internship aligns with:
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) competencies
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) code of ethics
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) professional standards
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices
The internship supports early pipeline development for future policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, legislative staff, city managers, nonprofit administrators, and public service leaders.
JOB DETAILS
Employment
Internship
Industry
Public Policy & Administration