CLIP: State Government

The Civic Leaders Internship Program (CLIP): State Government Internship Program is a unique, personalized experience for MU undergraduates interested in serving the state of Missouri through internship opportunities in publicly funded offices. Examples of internships include the Offices of the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, State Representatives and Senators, and State Departments such as Mental Health and Economic Development. The Office of Service Learning works closely with students and their departments to create full-time, credited internship experiences. Our internship advisor meets with prospective students and assists them in finding a placement site that fits their specific interests and graduation plan; she also maintains contact with students throughout the semester via site visits, class meetings, evaluations, and direct conversations with the site supervisor. Our 3 and 6 credit hour internships place undergraduates in public policy-oriented work-spaces that allow them to gain professional experience and contacts.

CLIP Government

  • Students can intern in any government office in any semester, but each placement carries different expectations and has different requirements
  • The most popular placement is in the MO Legislature during the spring semester
  • Second, are placements in other MO governmental offices in spring semester—Governor, Lieutenant Governor, etc., and agencies
  • Other placements can be made in any other semester, in any state or local government, and in Washington, D.C.

CLIP MO STATE LEGISLATURE

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

This internship provides numerous benefits to the University of Missouri and the student participant:

  • Students have an opportunity to engage in the legislative process as an academic learning opportunity; and

  • MU benefits from student support of the outreach and engagement mission of the University.

This is accomplished when the intern understands all program goals and objectives and their individual responsibilities.

The general learning objectives for the program are to provide a general understanding of:

  • The legislative process;

  • Legislative research;

  • Constituent service and general public service and communications;

  • Media relations, including writing press releases, and preparing talking points;

  • Verbal and written communication in a political and policy development environment; and

  • General professionalism and interpersonal collaboration skills needed for working in a high pressure, fast-paced environment.

To accomplish these learning objectives, specific intern requirements will differ by office, but may include the following activities:

  • Tracking bills through the legislative process;

  • Assisting in bill development by working with legislative research staff, conducting legislative research, or working with lobbyists and other professionals;

  • Attending, taking notes, and writing summaries at hearings, committee meetings, and meetings with other professionals;

  • Providing general hospitality and leading tours of the Capitol for constituent guests; and

  • Answering phone calls and responding to constituent inquiries.

If you are currently interning at the Missouri State Capitol and didn’t secure your placement through the Office of Service Learning, then we would like to help you get registered. Additionally, if you are a MU student who is interning at the Capitol and you are interested in learning about how to receive course credit for your service, then we would also like to assist you.