Get hands-on experience in your field — on a global scale.
Internships are a great way to take what you are learning in the classroom into the real world. They also allow you to make connections with potential employers that might come in handy after you graduate. Plus, there is nothing like spending a summer with your peers exploring a vibrant city like Washington, D.C. or exploring the streets of Beijing. The connections and friendships you make while working together toward a common cause will last you for a lifetime.
If you are in the MPIA, MID, or MPA program, you’re required to complete a 300-hour internship relevant to your academic and career goals. Internships allow you to gain firsthand, real-world experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Interns work in local, state, and federal government, and for local, national, and international nonprofits, as well as in the private sector.
Recently, our students have interned in places such as the U.S. Government Accountability Office, American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania, City of Pittsburgh, United Nations Development Programme, the U.S. Department of State, the National Cyber Forensics & Training Alliance, International Rescue Committee, Plan International, World Affairs Council, Federal Bureau of Investigation and many more. Outside the U.S., they have secured internships in countries like Belgium, Cameroon, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Haiti, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda, Vietnam, and the United States.
If you have at least three years of professional work experience related to your field of study, you may apply for an internship waiver. Contact Emmy Griffith (egrif@pitt.edu) in the Career Services office to learn more about to how to apply for a waiver.