Guests celebrate the opening of the USC Capitol Campus in Washington D.C. on 04/19/23. (Photo/Mbkphoto)

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

students sitting around a table looking at a slide that says "Dream Job, Next Exit"
Students attend a class discussion at the USC Capital Campus about career options in Washington, DC.

Internships are an important component of student experiences in D.C. Many of the academic programs at the USC Capital Campus require an internship as part of their curriculum, and many 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, the 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:

Alumni-Offered and Past Student Internships

The Trojan Family provides many opportunities for student interns in D.C. These opportunities are updated regularly as the Capital Campus receives new recommendations and opportunities from alumni and where past students have interned.

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.

VISIT 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.

Students pose holding up the 2-finger salute for "Fight On"
Students in the Dornsife in D.C. program pose for a photo at the USC Capital Campus.

Participating in a program at the USC 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

A living room inside Turnkey apartments.

A living room inside Turnkey apartments.

A rooftop at a Turnkey apartment building.
A rooftop at a Turnkey apartment building.

USC partners with Turnkey Housing Solutions, a full-service corporate housing provider serving the Washington, D.C. area.

Turnkey provides safe, easy, and convenient group housing for USC students, with fully-furnished apartments, including furniture, housewares, utilities, cable, wireless Internet access, swimming pools, fitness centers, common areas, and much more.

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 the USC Capital Campus.

Below are a few recommendations and resources for activities in the D.C. area: