The following page of information has been compiled specifically with the parents of ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøstudents in mind. The topics compiled are intended to give parents the tools to best support their student through their major. There is information regarding internships, degree requirements by year, and more. We encourage ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøstudents and parents to explore the website as a whole and familiarize themselves with everything they need to know regarding their major and the School itself. Please take a look at our Student Resources page for information regarding deadlines, transportation, and many other services. For upcoming ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøevents, please refer to our Calendar.
Internships
All Public Affairs and Criminal Justice Studies are required to complete an internship in their Junior or Senior year as a part of their degree requirements. Students are responsible for finding their own internships with government or nonprofit agencies. They are not permitted to intern with law firms or political campaign. On the ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøInternship page, there is a list of requirements and steps for students to follow. There are pages on how to find an internship, what organizations students can intern with, the process on applying for internship progress, and so much more. You can view the internship page for more in depth information here.
- Step 1: Familiarize yourself with internship requirements before contacting organizations.
- Step 2: Begin your search 3-6 months in advance.
- Step 3: Draft and edit your application materials.
- Step 4: Apply and complete the internship hiring and onboarding process.
- Step 5: Submit work plan after receiving an offer.
- Step 6: Confirm enrollment in UAccess.
- Step 7: Complete course assignments via D2L.
Undergraduate Career Planning Guide
Below is a guide for students to follow by year to help prepare them for their future career and job hunting. For more information regarding Career Preparation, please refer to our Career Development page.
Freshman Year
- Create initial resume using the ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøTemplate found in "±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøStudents" D2L page
- Start getting involved with extracurricular activities and organizations.
- Consider taking a Myers-Briggs or Career Exploration test.
- Research different careers by ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍømajors and visit the internship resources page ±¬ÁϳԹÏÍøInternships | School of Government and Public Policy | University of Arizona
Sophomore Year
- Continue to do well in your courses and begin to narrow your career interests.
- If you are uncertain of your career path, take courses in different areas with different topics and volunteer with organizations in the fields you are interested in pursuing.
- Attend career panels and job fairs offered by the university.
- Stay involved with clubs and extracurricular activities.
Junior Year
- Update your resume and identify mentors, professors, or supervisors that can serve as references.
- Consider running for a leadership position within a student organization.
- Find and secure an internship.
- Consider applying for The Washington Center Scholarship/internship The Washington Center Internship | School of Government and Public Policy | University of Arizona
- Meet with a career advisor to discuss your resume, cover letters, and interviewing strategies.
- Research scholarships and post-graduation options (grad schools, public sector jobs, non-profits, and government agencies)
Senior Year
- Update your resume after internship completion.
- If you do not have relevant work experience, securing an internship is a priority.
- Consider applying for other internships during the academic year.
- Continue to check in with the career advisors to discuss job opportunities, tailored resumes, and interviewing tips.
- Begin applying for jobs and/or graduate school.
Partner Organizations
The following is a list of organizations that often work with the School of Government & Public Policy, as well as often hire students for Internships or careers post-graduation.
