Public Policy Intern

Public Policy Intern

Duration: August 10, 2026-June 3, 2027

About Bridges

Our mission is to help people of faith become better neighbors. Our vision is a world where we celebrate people of faith as the norm rather than the exception.

"Pursue something so important that even if you fail, the world is better off with you having tried." 

- Tim O'Reilly

Description of Role

The Public Policy Intern for Bridges will provide research-level support for our organization’s advocacy, monitoring, and coalition-building efforts. 

This remote internship, spanning two semesters, will provide hands-on experience in policy and interaction between communities and government on local, state, and federal levels. Our policy slate is limited to child welfare, food security, and religious freedom issues. 

Interns can decide which projects to work on, such as food insecurity, religious freedom, or child welfare. 

Relevant experience is not required.

We’ll prepare interns through hands-on involvement in relevant projects, one-on-one sessions with experts, and strong experiential learning. Students meet with a supervisor once a week and receive feedback on written materials, as well as a midpoint evaluation.

Relevant majors

Political Science, History, Communications, Journalism, Social Work, International Relations, and Public Administration.

You will be provided training to help you transition into this role. A stipend is provided at program completion; all expenses incurred will be paid, and, if available, we will work with your educational institution to provide credit toward your degree plan.

General Responsibilities:

• Provide research support for ongoing projects related to government and prepare reports for working groups.
• Monitor issues and potential regulations impacting Bridges current slate of collaborative policy projects.
• Help coordinate research and messaging with domestic and international entities, and community organizations.
• Conduct meetings with coalition partners, prospective community and faith organizations, elected officials, and others in the policy field, as necessary.

Required Qualifications:

• Respect, appreciation, and/or curiosity for ALL faith traditions, ideologies, and political leanings.
• Fundamental understanding of local and federal structures and legislative processes with a keen ability to rapidly learn and digest complex information.
• Creative and innovative; the ability to see alternatives and solutions.
• Ability to multi-task effectively and balance priorities in an ever-changing, fast-moving, time-sensitive environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage time with great efficiency and can operate with little oversight and minimal direction.

Desired Qualifications:

• Candidates should be working toward a bachelor’s or a graduate degree in a relevant field.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is part-time at 15 hours a week, and up to $500 is provided at the end of each semester. All organizational expenses will be paid by Bridges.