Legislative Internship Position Details

Experience the legislative process firsthand.

Read below to learn more about the specific internship roles within each office or agency. Students are encouraged to apply to more than one or all branches. Click here to read blog posts from former NAU interns for a glimpse into the experience!

Arizona State Legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)

Interns at the Arizona State Legislature participate in the legislative process in a fast-paced, exciting atmosphere at the state capitol. Serving on non-partisan, Republican, or Democratic staff, interns experience firsthand the process, conversations, and late nights that create legislation and public policy for the entire state of Arizona. Interns speak and work with lawmakers, lobbyists, and committees, getting an exclusive, behind-the-scenes perspective on Arizona politics that is unparalleled to any other internship. Depending on their placement, interns work with partisan staff on issues important to their respective parties or analyze public policy for members of a legislative committee (e.g. health & human services, education, environment, or criminal justice policy). Duties may include conducting research, writing legislative summaries, presenting in committee hearings, briefing senators and representatives, preparing amendments, and communicating with legislators and constituents.

Arizona Supreme Court

Interns with the Supreme Court work in the Executive Division, with the Legislative Group of the Administrative Office, assisting with judicial department legislation. Duties include attendance at court and legislative committee meetings and hearings; assisting the Legislative Group in preparing, testifying, researching, and tracking legislation with an impact on the courts; acting as a liaison to the Legislature, and communicating with judges and administrative staff on legislative activity. Interns will be required to prepare written materials (e.g., fact sheets, legislative summaries, and letters) and make oral presentations on legislation to court committees and staff. Interns will also lobby legislators on select proposals. This position requires research, writing, and word processing skills as well as strong communication and organizational skills.

Arizona Governor’s Office

Interns in the Governor’s Office become an integral part of Governor Doug Ducey’s executive team and gain an unparalleled, fast-paced experience in state government. Interns track legislation as it is heard in committee, discussed in caucus, debated on the floor of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and finally as it makes its way to the Governor’s desk. Interacting closely with Governor’s staff and policy advisors, interns report back their daily findings at the Legislature, playing an important role in the process that decides whether or not the Governor signs or vetoes a bill.

Arizona Capitol Television

Note: This internship has been canceled during the 2020-21 academic year due to COVID-19.

Broadcast interns with Arizona Capitol Television have an opportunity to gain an insiders’ understanding of the legislative process while developing their television production, journalism, and communication skills in a professional work environment. Interns produce video coverage of House and Senate proceedings for the Internet and cable television and learn about various aspects of broadcast journalism and television production from industry professionals. For more information, visit the Arizona Capitol Television site.