Other Internship Opportunities

Paid Climate Justice Internship Program through Climate HQ at SFSU.

Selected interns will participate in a semester-long internship where they will be matched with partner organizations committed to climate justice to complete a project that advances that organization’s work and gives interns the opportunity to learn from seasoned organizers, activists, and other professionals.

Applications are due Oct 10, 2025 for internships that will run during Spring 2026.

Eligibility: Undergraduates from any major at SFSU can apply as long as they are full-time in Spring 2026

We currently have a paid internship as an Environmental Analyst available with the one of our community partners, Panorama Environmental, Inc.. Applicants must be currently enrolled as a SF State student and in an undergraduate or master’s program in environmental science or policy, biology, geology, or a similar physical or biological science. 

Panorama Environmental, Inc, in collaboration with SF State’s Institute for Civic & Community Engagement (ICCE) is looking for one student intern to fill the Environmental Analyst Intern position to start their career at Panorama, learning the field while providing support to the Panorama Environmental team. Remote work opportunities are available; however, the candidate must be within the San Francisco Bay Area region, as in-person meetings will be required. The student intern will earn $24 per hour for 20 hours per week.

Update: Applications are now closed. Check back mid/late Fall 2025 for Spring 2026 opportunities.

The Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program coordinated by the School of Public Affairs & Civic Engagement, places San Francisco State University students in prestigious internships within various City and County of San Francisco agencies. The fellowship, launched in 2008, provides SF State students who have faced barriers pursuing a college education with an opportunity to gain professional experience in the public sector while developing a lifelong commitment to public service. At the same time, the program provides San Francisco’s public agencies with a diverse, qualified, and well-educated workforce.

• About Us
• Alumni of the Fellowship
• Graduate Student Fellows
• Undergraduate Student Fellows

🌟 Applications Open September 3 for the Stupski Foundation Internship 🌟

Looking for a paid opportunity to gain professional skills while making an impact in the Bay Area and Hawai‘i? The Stupski Foundation Internship is more than just experience on your résumé — it’s a chance to learn, lead, and contribute to bold, community-driven work.

This internship program is for college-age youth and young adults who want to bring their ideas for social change to inform our work in:

• 🌱 Food justice
• 🎓 Postsecondary success
• 🩺 Health
• 📣 Communications
• 💡 Grant-making operations

What you’ll do as an intern:

• Work on real projects that support equity and community transformation
• Build professional skills in philanthropy, communications, and nonprofit strategy
• Connect with mentors and peers who share your passion for change

Program Details

• 💵 Pay: $30/hour (part-time)
• 💻 Laptop and tech support provided
• 🌐 Remote work option available
• 👩🏽‍🎓 Open to undergraduates and graduate students

Important Dates

• 📅 Applications open: September 3, 2025
• ⏰ Applications close: September 17, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. HST
• 📢 Notification: October 24, 2025

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) offers paid, high-impact internships and fellowships in Washington, D.C. for Latino students and emerging leaders interested in public policy and civic engagement.

• Congressional Internship Program (10–12 weeks): Work in a congressional office while receiving housing, travel, metro stipend, insurance, and leadership training.
• Public Policy Fellowship (9 months): For recent graduates—placements with federal agencies, nonprofits, and think tanks.
• Postgraduate Fellowship (9 months): For Master’s or JD graduates—specialized experience in fields like education, health, or STEM policy.

Want to live, learn, and intern in the nation’s capital? The Cal State DC Scholars program gives all CSU students the chance to spend a semester or summer in Washington, D.C., earning academic credit while gaining real-world experience.

Scholars intern in Congress, federal agencies, nonprofits, think tanks, museums, and media organizations—building professional networks and exploring career paths. Most internships are unpaid, but financial aid and scholarships are available to help cover costs. Tuition is the same as your CSU campus, making this an affordable way to study and work in D.C.

This program is a great fit for any major—whether you’re interested in policy, communications, science, the arts, or public service.

Governor’s Office of External Affairs – Internship Opportunity (Fall 2025)

The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom is seeking interns for the Northern California External Affairs Office in San Francisco. This is a valuable opportunity for students to gain firsthand experience working in state government while contributing to meaningful projects that impact Californians.

About the Internship

Interns will:

• Learn how state government operates at the highest levels.
• Contribute to a wide range of issue areas and projects.
• Provide administrative and program support, which may include answering phones, processing mail, drafting documents, proof-reading, conducting research, and other office projects.
• Take on additional assignments based on department needs, as well as the intern’s experience, proficiency, and interests.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and organizational ability.
• A positive attitude and commitment to public service.
• Enrollment in a college or university program (required).

Commitment & Credit

• Minimum of 12 hours per week (schedule is flexible and negotiable).
• Primarily remote, with the possibility of at least one day per week in the San Francisco office.
• Interns are required to receive academic credit for this internship. Students should check in with ICCE to learn more about how to obtain academic credit for this opportunity.

How to Apply

Interested students should submit the following by the deadline of September 2, 2025:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Please email materials to ben.leong@gov.ca.gov with the subject line:
“Governor’s Office NorCal EA Fall 2025 Internship Application”

Timeline

• Application Deadline: September 2, 2025
• Internship Start: September/October 2025

The in-person program offers college students hands-on experience in local government, alongside the Mayor's staff in the areas of communications, policy, government affairs, operations, and community outreach.

What to know

Eligibility

Open to students who are currently enrolled at an accredited college and university.

The Mayor’s Office does not currently have an internship program for high school students.

Compensation

Unpaid internship

Application Deadline

Spring: October 31

Summer: March 31

Fall: August 31

Supervisor Mandelman’s District 8 Internship Program offers students an introduction to the work of a local government office, and a deeper understanding of public policy issues impacting San Francisco. District 8 includes the Castro, Noe Valley, Glen Park, Diamond Heights, Twin Peaks, Cole Valley, and Duboce Triangle. The District has played an important role in San Francisco history as many of the neighborhoods it encompasses were represented by Supervisor Harvey Milk following his election in 1978.

This internship opportunity allows students to participate in the daily operations of the City and County of San Francisco. Throughout the internship, students work closely with Supervisor Mandelman and his legislative staff. 

The Board of Supervisors is the legislative branch of the City and County of San Francisco. The Board consists of 11 members. Each member is elected on a non-partisan basis from a district where he or she lives

Are you:

• Interested in local government and politics?
• Looking for an opportunity to gain practical work experience?
• Trying to find a way to contribute to your community?

The Scientists in Parks (SIP) program places students and early-career professionals in paid, hands-on internships with the U.S. National Park Service. Each year, hundreds of participants work on projects in over 100 parks nationwide, gaining experience in fields like biology, GIS, communications, education, and environmental science.

SIP interns receive mentorship from NPS staff, professional training, and AmeriCorps benefits such as a living allowance, educational award, and in many cases housing support. Opportunities are available during both summer and winter sessions, with applications opening twice a year.

This program is ideal for anyone interested in conservation, public lands, and applied science who wants to build real-world skills while contributing to the stewardship of national parks.

Internship and fellowship opportunities at the SF Fed gives college and graduate students a chance to experience work life in a vibrant, dynamic, and collaborative environment.

As a paid SF Fed intern, you’ll apply your research and analytical skills to projects that support the Bank’s key business functions. Exciting opportunities exist in nearly every department. And your experience will include seminars, skill-building workshops, mentorship, networking, and social activities with fellow interns and San Francisco Fed employees.

The summer fellowship program offers the opportunity to interact with economists and visiting faculty from nearby institutions, to make progress in writing your dissertation, and to increase your exposure to scholarly research. Fellows will participate in seminars and brown bags, discuss and advance current research projects with department economists, and receive a stipend.

USDA Forest Service Social Science Research on Forest Recreation Experiences

This fellowship opportunity is directed for MS students & programs offering MS degrees focused on outdoor recreation management, sociology, leisure studies, environmental studies, natural resource management, or related fields.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS). Location is anticipated to be in Seattle, Washington, although other locations will be considered.

At the heart of the USDA Forest Service's mission is their purpose. Everything they do is intended to help sustain forests and grasslands for present and future generations. Why? Because their stewardship work supports nature in sustaining life. This is the purpose that drives the agency’s mission and motivates their work across the agency. It’s been there from the agency’s very beginning, and it still drives them. To advance the mission and serve their purpose, the USDA Forest Service balances the short and long-term needs of people and nature by: working in collaboration with communities and our partners; providing access to resources and experiences that promote economic, ecological, and social vitality; connecting people to the land and one another; and delivering world-class science, technology and land management.

Learn about job opportunities within the City and County of San Francisco and receive guidance to grow your City career. The Center offers Information sessions and workshops and drop-in career counseling hours.

Explore two pathways at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco:

• College Programs — Ideal for students eager to gain hands-on experience while learning: includes paid internships, Interpretation & Outreach Associate roles, and academic group visits.
• Emerging Professional Programs — For recent graduates and entry-level professionals: includes paid summer internships, curatorial projects like the McCrindle internship, and part-time visitor experience roles.

The mission of the San Francisco Fellows program is to foster community stewardship.

The Fellows program is a unique opportunity to learn about public administration in local government while working full-time as a City employee. Competitively selected applicants will join a cohort of Fellows for a 12-month full-time work experience as City employees. Fellows will earn a salary  (Step 1 for 1801 classification), plus health, dental, retirement, and other benefits.

Fellows work on various programs and projects that have a direct impact on City operations. Projects span a broad range of City functions and departments, involving analysis, planning, and program development.

Project Pull are for motivated high school and college students from diverse communities in San Francisco. College students can apply to lead teams of high school interns in City departments.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) sponsors Project Pull.

As SFPUC public service trainees, graduate interns work on projects pertaining to their field of study while impacting the Agency through research and collaboration across teams and influencing public policy, human resources, natural resources, biology among other areas.

Learn more about SFPUC

San Francisco Public Works is one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a workforce of nearly 1,800 and a $453 million annual operating budget. The department's active capital project portfolio exceeds $3 billion. As one of San Francisco oldest City departments, it is also one of the most forward-thinking.

As a 24/7 operation with a diverse set of responsibilities, Public Works touches every neighborhood in San Francisco. The staff designs and manages construction of civic buildings and streets, cleans and greens the right of way, maintains civic buildings; trains people for jobs, keeps the right of way free of hazards, paves the streets, repairs bridges and public stairways, expands accessibility and works at the forefront addressing some of San Francisco’s biggest challenges, including homelessness.

The department is divided into four divisions – operations, engineering, architecture/landscape architecture and finance/administration and the Director’s Office – and reports to the Mayor. The Public Works Commission and Sanitation and Streets Commission serve as oversight bodies.

College Internships

• Summer Internships in Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Construction Management and Information Technology - This summer internship program is for currrenty-enrolled college students and offers an opportunity to gain valuable experience.
• Public Affairs Internship Program - The Public Affairs division of Public Works has unpaid year-round internship opportunities. The Public Affairs team needs energetic self-starters to assist in web content management, special event coordination, program development, community outreach and media relations. If you are interested in a career in public affairs, please email us.

The City and County of San Francisco is seeking student interns interested in various engineering and architecture disciplines, to provide support to in-house Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Surveying, GIS, and IT staff. The Summer 2024 Student Intern Program is a collaborative effort comprised of the following city departments seeking to employ interns: San Francisco Public Works, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), Department of Building Inspection (DBI), San Francisco Airport Commission (SFO), Recreation and Park Department (REC), and Department of Technology (DT). Interns will gain on-the-job experience under the guidance of experienced professional engineers, architects, planners, and surveyors. Interns will participate in various activities in the respective City Departments.

The SFMTA Planning and Engineering Internship program is aimed at students pursuing degrees and careers related to transportation planning and transportation engineering.

City and County of SF Transportation Authority Internship.

The SF General Services Agency (GSA) Internship program is a public service platform designed to partner services and graduates working professionals in a mentor-trainee relationship.

City and County of SF internship in public service accounting

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office’s Internship Program offers students an opportunity to work in an award-winning municipal law office that is nationally recognized by the American Bar Association for outstanding excellence. The City Attorney’s Office practices civil law and provides high-quality, consistent, and objective legal advice to policymakers and vigorously represents the City in civil litigation. The Office provides legal services to over 100 departments, boards, commissions and offices that comprise the City and County of San Francisco’s municipal government.

The City Attorney’s Office seeks interns that intend to emerge as leaders in government and public-interest law.  The Internship Program is designed to help interns gain practical knowledge and experience in municipal law and government affairs.  The Program provides participants with a robust and meaningful work experience by creating opportunities for interns to learn, engage, and participate in the Office’s wide array of legal work.

Internships at the Department of Police Accountability (DPA) allows students to learn about:

• Police processes and practices
• Criminal and constitutional law
• public safety, employment, and administrative law
• how local government works
• relationships between policy, law, and community engagement

Internships that are beyond legal internships, such as communications and policy, victim services, etc...

OEWD strives to create a thriving and resilient economy, where barriers to economic and workforce opportunities are removed, and ​prosperity is shared equitably by all.​

Gain a behind-the-scenes look at public defense by interning with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. This unpaid internship offers valuable exposure to the criminal justice system, with opportunities to support staff attorneys and learn how a busy public defender’s office operates.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers a range of internships, trainee roles, and fellowships for college students and recent graduates. Opportunities include areas like airport operations, engineering, communications, museum studies, and aviation management. Many positions are paid and provide mentorship, professional development, and hands-on experience at one of the world’s leading airports.

The Human Rights Commission works to advance equity, protect human rights, and address discrimination in San Francisco. Its initiatives focus on issues such as racial and social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant protections, disability access, anti-bullying, and community healing.

The Commission occasionally offers internship opportunities for students interested in public service, policy, and advocacy. Interns may assist with research, outreach, and community projects that support the City’s human rights agenda.