Application Requirements

• Completed application form
• School transcripts
• Resume and cover letter
• 2 letters of recommendations (need separate form for recommenders to submit letters)

Timeline

• September 30^th: Application opens on City of Bridgeport webpage
• November 1^st: Application closes
• December 1^st: Interview invitations are offered to students
• January 1^st – January 10^th: Internship offer is extended to students
• January 27^th: Placement begins
• May 5^th: Placement ends

Learn More Information

What Will You be Assigned to do?

• Track resolutions in the legislative process 
• Research policy issues at the request of Councilmembers
• Research and track resident questions and complaints
• Write meeting notes
• Event facilitation
• Create flyers & infographics
• Compile data
• Take photos or videos for social media

Required Academic Work

Students participating in the Legislative Internship Program will be required to complete academic work in addition to their work assignments and trainings.

 The following projects will be assigned:

• Write 5 resolutions with Councilmembers
• 1 policy brief (1 – 2 pages)
• 1 interview summary with questions (3 – 5 pages)
• 1 reflection paper (6 – 8 pages)
• 1 legislative research paper (10 – 12 pages)

Application & Academic Credit Hours Details

Minimum Qualifications

To be eligible for the Bridgeport Legislative Internship Program, you must:

• Be an undergraduate student enrolled in a two or four year institution of higher education in the state. 
  • Students already holding a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for this program.
• Be 18 years of age or older by date of program start
• Have 45 credits completed by program start (no more than 3 AP credits can be counted towards this minimum)
• Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (at time of application)
• Be registered for a course (depends on institution) to receive credit

Students of all disciplines and majors are considered. However, preference will be given to students whose experience and academic background offer preparation in the work they will be assigned.

Schedule & Academic Credit Hours

This Legislative Internship Program will run during the Fall and Spring semesters. Any student applying for the program must be willing to commit to the entire program, from start to end date. 

Intern must be enrolled as full-time and matriculated in an accredited undergraduate degree program AND registered in an internship course. The specific amount of credit granted to each student differs based on hours of service and school. 

The Legislative Intern will work a 6 – hour day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interns will work Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday for a total of 12 hours per week for 15 weeks. Interns must accrue a minimum of 180 verified work hours. Interns need to be available in the evenings to attend a City Council meeting once a month, these hours will be credited to the work hours. 

The City Council meets on the first and third Monday of each month, except in May when there shall be an additional regular meeting on the second Monday of the month. Meetings commence at 7:00 p.m. with the public speaking portion beginning at 6:30 p.m.