CLIP Government & Public Service
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:
+ Mental Health and Economic Development.
+ Offices of the Governor
+ Lieutenant Governor
+ Attorney General
+ State Representatives
+ MO Senators
+ State Departments such as:
- Missouri Department of Mental Health and Missouri Department of Economic Development.
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 students will join a network of current students and Alumnus that can assist them in their career search post undergraduate.
Community Engaged Learning works closely with students and their departments to create full-time, credited internship experiences.
Our Internship Director meets with prospective students and assists them in finding a placement site that fits their specific interests and graduation plan.
The Director also maintains contact with students throughout the semester via site visits, class meetings, evaluations, and direct conversations with the site supervisor.
Students serving at the Capital and in Jefferson City will have contact with our Internship Director continuously throughout the semester, whether they credit through us or not.
CLIP Government
- Students can intern in any government office in any semester, but each placement carries different expectations and has different requirements
- The most placement options are available in the MO Legislature during the spring semester
CLIP Nonprofit
The Civic Leaders Internship Program (CLIP): Nonprofit Internship Program is a unique, personalized experience for MU undergraduates interested in serving their community through internship opportunities in local and national not-for-profit organizations.
Examples of internships include:
- Event Management with State Historical Society of Missouri
- Digital Storytelling Intern with Vidwest Studios
- Crisis Line Intern with Missouri Crisis Line/DeafLEAD
- Program & Education Assistant with Riley Equine Center
- Business Operations, Refugee Health & Development, & Education Interns at City of Refuge
- Volunteer Recruitment and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Interns at Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri
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.