For Students
Enhance your career with unique internships, supportive housing options and vibrant experiences in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Internships & Career Opportunities
Internships are an important component of student experiences in D.C. Many of the academic programs at USC’s Capital Campus require an internship as part of their curriculum, and many USC students seek internships in Washington, D.C., as an important part of their growth and career preparation.
For employers: please contact us if you have hiring needs or available internships.
Whether you are spending a semester or a year in D.C. or only visiting for a summer, USC’s Capital Campus and resources at USC are here to help you find an internship that fits your career goals.
Government Internships
Please keep in mind that government internships often require applications 8 months to a year ahead of time. Please apply early and reach out to the USC Career Center with any questions.
Available programs:
- Department of State Student Internship Program
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Honors Internship Program
- CIA Student Programs
- U.S. Department of Justice Student Opportunities
- Defense Intelligence Agency Internship Programs
- Department of Homeland Security Intelligence & Analysis Internship Program
- Department of the Treasury Student/Internship Programs
- National Security Agency Student Programs
- Student Opportunities at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
- Federal Internship Finder at the Partnership for Public Service
Alumni-Offered and Past Student Internships
The Trojan Family provides many opportunities for student interns in D.C. These opportunities are updated regularly as USC’s Capital Campus receives new recommendations and opportunities from alumni and where past students have interned.
- Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
- Center for American Progress Summer Internships
- Atlantic Council Young Global Professionals Internship Program
- Brookings Institute Internship Program
- Center for Strategic & International Studies Internships
- Stimson Center Internship Program
- Woodrow Wilson Center Internships
- Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Internship Program
- Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Max Kampelman Fellowships
- John Quincy Adams Society Marcellus Policy Fellowship
- World Wildlife Fund Internships
- US Chamber of Commerce Internship Program
Other Internship Opportunities
USC students have interned at a variety of other centers and institutions in and around D.C. Please explore the below opportunities from the USC Career Center.
Living in D.C.
Living in D.C. provides students with unique opportunities to experience city life in a place that is unique from Los Angeles — from more humid summers to colder winters, walkable city blocks, public transportation and beyond.
Participating in a program at USC’s Capital Campus provides students the opportunity to “study abroad” in our nation’s capital. Schools will provide advice on packing and preparing for your time in D.C. if you are participating in an academic program. If you are planning to be in D.C. for a summer internship, please note it gets hot and humid! Pack light clothes, bathing suits and rain-friendly clothing.
The nation’s capital is easy to navigate. There are many vibrant neighborhoods to explore during your free time, and the city is very walkable. When public transportation is necessary, Uber and Lyft are easy to use, and the Metro can get you around quickly and safely. If you plan to use the Metro frequently, we recommend purchasing a SmarTrip® card to get the lowest fares.
Housing
USC partners with the Washington Intern Housing Network (WIHN) to provide housing for the fall and spring semesters, coordinated through the schools. In the summers, students are free to house with WIHN on their own.
WIHN provides full-service, fully furnished apartments at its Aria property in the NoMa neighborhood, which is an easy 30-minute Metro Red Line ride to Dupont Circle for class at USC’s Capital Campus.
From losing your keys or license to collecting packages, WIHN provides a safe and easy housing solution for USC students, with multiple configurations available. More information on WIHN is available here.
Other Recommended Housing Providers
We recognize that many students have different needs when it comes to housing. The university recommends Turnkey Housing Solutions as an alternative housing provider available to students interning during the summer or coordinating their housing separately from their school programs.
Please contact us with any additional questions about housing in D.C.
Activities in Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is full of events and activities for students to participate in, including visits to District of Columbia institutions, meetings with local alumni and many opportunities to engage at USC’s Capital Campus.
Below are a few recommendations and resources for activities in the D.C. area:
- Events at USC’s Capital Campus (contact us for information on upcoming events)
- Tour Capitol Hill
- Tour the Pentagon
- Visit the White House Gardens
- D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival
- Embassy and Cultural Events
- Time Out D.C.