FYI…
The Public Interest Government Relations Office (PI-GRO) is currently seeking applicants for the 2011-2012 Public Policy Graduate Student Internship Program. The deadline for applications is March 25th. Applicants must be in at least their second year of graduate training and be available to work 15 hours per week.
PURPOSE: To provide graduate students with first-hand knowledge of the ways in which psychological research can inform public policy and the roles psychologists can play in its formulation and implementation.
PROGRAM: The graduate student intern will spend one year working on public interest policy issues on the staff of the Public Interest Government Relations Office (PI-GRO) of the American Psychological Association (APA). PI-GRO helps to
formulate and implement APA positions on major federal policy initiatives of importance to psychology in the public interest. PI-GRO works to influence legislative and regulatory activities impacting populations and areas, such as: disabilities; aging; socioeconomic status; ethnic and racial minorities; children, youth, and families; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons; individuals with HIV/AIDS; as well as social concerns (e.g. media; or trauma, violence, and abuse). The intern's activities include participating in legislative and advocacy work, such as assisting in
the preparation of testimony and briefing papers, and attending congressional hearings and coalition meetings.
CRITERIA: Applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral program in psychology, in at least the second year of graduate training, and have a strong interest in applying psychological research findings to the solution of social problems. The intern must be able to work quickly and communicate effectively on a wide range of topics, and be able to work cooperatively with individuals having diverse viewpoints. The intern must demonstrate competence in conducting literature reviews and summarizing findings for a non-scientific audience. Applicants should be members of the
American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) and must be available to work 15 hours per week in APA's Central Office in Washington, D.C., from September 2011 until August 2012.
STIPEND: The internship provides a stipend of $15.00 per hour.
APPLICATION: Interested students are required to submit the following materials by March 25, 2011:
1) a completed application coversheet
2) a current vitae providing information about educational background and any relevant professional, public policy, and/or legislative experience;
3) a personal statement of 500 words or less, expressing the applicant's interest in psychology and public policy,
and what the applicant hopes to learn from the internship experience;
4) a letter from the Department indicating the applicant is enrolled and is in good standing with the college/university;
5) a literature review (limit five pages) displaying the applicant's ability to communicate complex ideas; and 6) three letters of recommendation that specifically address the applicant's dependability, confidentiality, and aptitude for policy work or research, based on the recommender's past or current experience with the applicant. Each letter of recommendation must be accompanied by a Reference Survey, to be completed by the author of the letter of recommendation.
Applications must be received in their entirety by March 25, 2011 and should be mailed to:
American Psychological Association
Public Interest Government Relations Office - Internship Program
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002‐4242
For additional information about the application process, please contact Ben Vonachen, Senior Legislative Assistant, at(202) 336-‐6097 or bvonachen@apa.org. Further information may also be found at www.apa.org/about/gr/fellows
