Application Requirements

• Completed application form
• School transcripts
• Resume and cover letter
• 2 letters of recommendation 

Timeline

• October 30^th: Application opens on City of Bridgeport webpage
• December 1^st: Application closes
• December 20^th: – January 10^th: Internship offer is extended to students
• January 27^th: Placement begins
• May 5^th: Placement ends

Program Overview

The City of Bridgeport’s Legislative Internship Program offers college students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in local government operations. Interns will assist in legislative processes, engage with community issues, and support municipal staff in various capacities. This program is designed to provide valuable insights into local governance and policymaking while helping students develop professional skills.

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
• While our program requirements are listed above, each academic institution has their own qualifications and requirements for program participation. Contact your on-campus internship coordinator to discuss your school’s requirements.

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.

What Will You be Assigned to do?

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

Application Requirements

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

Required Academic Work

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

 The following projects will be assigned:

• 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)

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. This is not a paid position. Interns will receive credit hours towards their degree.

Intern must be enrolled 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 City Council meetings and committee meetings at least 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.