Count cash and make change as an intern for CRP.

If you'd like to learn how to serve the perfect cup of coffee, the Center for Responsive Politics won't be for you. But if you're looking for a challenging public-interest internship that will turn you into a detective in our nation's capital, send us your résumé. Here at the Center we track the money and other behind-the-scenes forces shaping the government policies that affect each of us every day. Which members of congressional finance committees have benefited the most from contributions from the companies looking for relief from new regulations? How much money are lobbyists spending to bend legislation in their favor, and which industries do they represent? How much personal money do our lawmakers have invested in companies that do tens of millions of dollars worth of business with the government itself? As a reporting, research or IT intern at the Center, you'll help us answer questions like these to inform voters and keep our politicians honest.

The Center is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. People from underrepresented communities, including people of color, women, LGBTQ and people with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. People from underrepresented communities, including people of color, women, LGBTQ and people with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

REPORTING INTERNSHIP: Cover politics in the nation's capital

"My interest in money in politics began when I stumbled across several PACs in Missouri registered at the same address, shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to lawmakers.

I did not know what that meant. But two panelists at a journalism conference helped me out. With their insight, I published my first campaign finance investigation.

The two would eventually become my coworkers – and mentors – months later, as I accepted an offer to work alongside them at OpenSecrets.org as their intern. And from there, my dream of covering politics through following the money lived on.

At OpenSecrets.org, you’ll learn to unearth the connections between the nation’s wealthiest donors and the politicians they are giving to, sift through public documents for bombshell stories, track down dubious PACs and shell companies and explore the world of political ads. You’ll quickly familiarize yourself with writing on deadline. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to produce data-driven stories and pitch your own.

Reporting on money in politics proved to be eye-opening yet daunting, but it became easier with the help of a team of excellent researchers and editors. They are the finest experts on campaign finance, domestic and foreign lobbying, dark money groups and so many other aspects of how money flows through Washington. They are also the most nurturing and easygoing coworkers, some of whom I am still in close touch with even after my internship ended.

Despite now working in the south away from Washington, I never left behind the skills I learned at OpenSecrets.org. The experience offered me a unique glimpse into national and foreign politics I would never forget.

So if you share my passion about political reporting, do not hesitate and apply for this internship right now while you can. All you need to know about investigative Washington through the lens of money in politics – is here, waiting.

And all you need to do is reach for it."

–– Yue Stella Yu, Local Government Reporter, The Commercial Dispatch; Fall 2019 reporting intern

"This internship offered me a balance of data and interviewing, quick-hit reporting and in-depth writing, as well as plenty of opportunities to pitch my own ideas. Colleagues who had years of experience in research, reporting, writing and editing gave me deep education in finding, analyzing and using money-in-politics data. My work ranged from analyzing the lobbying and campaign contribution records of companies involved in giant mergers to a comprehensive profile of one of the most contentious issues in modern-day American politics: gun rights vs. gun control. I'll be able to use the skills I acquired and fine-tuned at CRP throughout my career in journalism.You'll have the opportunity to create your own experience and dig into the issues that interest you most, whether it's federal campaign fundraising and spending, personal finances, super PACs, political nonprofits or interest groups and lobbying."



--Brianna Gurciullo, reporting intern, the Chicago Tribune; Fall 2015 reporting intern

As a news reporting intern, you'll report and write about how money in the electoral process influences politics and government. Intern responsibilities include writing breaking news items and longer in-depth pieces for OpenSecrets News.

You'll write about various industries and special interests and how the money they pump into politics is designed to affect policy. You'll talk to people affected by federal policy decisions, and to lobbyists, politicians, lawyers and other prominent Washingtonians, to get the scoop on where the money's coming from, why -- and where it's going. You'll get great editing from experienced, award-winning journalists.

You'll also write money-in-politics profiles of issues and industries that are permanently hosted on the Center for Responsive Politics' highly regarded website, OpenSecrets.org.

Our reporting interns depart with numerous clips that demonstrate their strong writing skills and political savvy.

This job requires great curiosity and the willingness and ability to quickly absorb knowledge about the sometimes arcane subject of campaign finance. But you'll immediately launch into reporting based on our original research, current events or a story pitch that you generate.

Qualified interns will demonstrate strong writing and reporting skills, political knowledge (or at least an interest in and ability to learn about politics) and an enthusiasm for doing the work that helps maintain a healthy democracy.

Interns who are not able to get school credit for their work with us will earn D.C.'s minimum wage of $13.25 per hour.

Undergraduates and graduate students are eligible, as are recent graduates who can commit to staying for the equivalent of one semester.

To apply, send a cover letter, résumé, 3-5 writing samples and three references to [email protected]. Specify your interest in the "reporting internship."

Deadlines:

Fall: July 15

Spring: November 15

Summer: March 15

RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS: Seek the secrets in the numbers

"I learned more about campaign finance and transparency policy through my internship at the Center for Responsive Politics than any number of courses could have taught me, because CRP believes in having interns meaningfully contribute to its mission of providing the public with excellent information on the influence of money in politics. An intern at the CRP works directly with its data, helping to improve and expand CRP's vast resources for the public."



--Nicole Mauri, Smith College, Summer and Fall '12 research intern

"CRP, as an organization, is dedicated to educating the public and equipping them with unbiased information. This mission extends into every facet of the organization, including the internship program. This internship offered me the opportunity to enhance my proficiency with database research and management. Campaign finance is complex and connecting dots through data is not an easy task, but this internship allows you to be a data detective of sorts. It was rewarding to know that the work I was doing would not only help keep the website updated, but would support future projects and resources to be shared with the public as well. As an intern, a dedicated effort was made to ensure that I was included in discussions and projects and I always felt my input was valued. Additionally, there was always the opportunity for interns to pursue research topics that were most interesting to them. I was able to produce an article for the website using research I had done myself exploring the relationship between federal regulation of vitamins and nutritional supplements and campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies. The diversity of professional opportunities I was offered not only have made me a stronger researcher, but will be useful throughout the remainder of my professional career."



–– Erin Brown, Fall 2019 Research Intern

Research interns work alongside the Center's full-time staff to perform the organization's most important task: identifying and cataloging the interests and agendas behind the money that changes hands in Washington. Past interns have helped expand the Center's Revolving Door database of government officials-turned-lobbyists, monitored the lobbying activity around specific legislation before Congress and helped the Center to uncover millions of dollars of "shadow money." Other research projects relate to updating the database that tracks the millions of dollars in individual contributions, as well as assisting in research requests from reporters and academics. Here's the scoop on each major project:

Revolving Door: The Center maintains a database of 10,000 individuals — and counting — who have either transitioned from government to the private sector or done the opposite. Revolving Door is meant to help the public learn who's who in the Washington influence industry, and to uncover how these individuals' government connections afford them privileged access to those in power. Research interns track the comings and goings of government officials and private sector professionals and update the Revolving Door section accordingly.

Politically Active Nonprofits: In 2012, the Center became the first organization in the country to reveal millions of dollars of political money previously unknown to the public. This money reaches groups like Americans for Prosperity and VoteVets.org -- groups that subsequently spend millions of dollars on independent expenditures and electioneering communications in congressional and presidential races. Our interns are involved in combing through IRS forms for political grants, and have also contributed to the Center's reporting on this topic.

So you think you've got what it takes to follow the money in Washington? Qualified research interns will be quick learners who can think on their feet. Knowledge of Microsoft Access is helpful but not necessary, as training is provided (all research interns will have a good sense of this program once they've spent a few months with us!). Previous work with data and any political knowledge will also be an asset.

Interns who are not able to get school credit for their work with us will earn D.C.'s minimum wage of $13.25 per hour.

To apply, send a cover letter, résumé and three references to [email protected].

Deadlines:

Fall: July 15

Spring: November 15

Summer: March 15

IT INTERN:

The Center for Responsive Politics is looking for an intern to collaborate with a small talented team of technicians who bring the award winning web site, OpenSecrets.org, to life and keep the internal network operating efficiently and reliably. We are a small but prolific non-profit dedicated to creating a more educated voter, an involved citizenry and a more transparent and responsive government.

Our resources are scarce and our needs are many, so we will consider applicants with a variety of skills and interests: Android or iPhone app development, web application development, data visualization, dynamic charting and mapping, data scraping and parsing and network maintenance.

Our technologies include Microsoft NT and SQL Server, Apache, PHP, CSS, jQuery, MySQL, and more. This is a unique opportunity to work for an organization where scalability is critical in an internally hosted environment. If you're a student who understands the American political system, can contribute but also wants to learn new skills, we'd be happy to talk to you.

The position includes a stipend for the summer and continued part-time employment during the school year is possible. We can promise you a compelling summer where you can make a difference by contributing to more transparency in our government.

Interns who are not able to get school credit for their work with us will earn D.C.'s minimum wage of $13.25 per hour.

To apply, please send us your résumé as well as a cover letter explaining what you'd be interested in doing for us and why: [email protected]

Deadlines:

Fall: July 15

Spring: November 15

Summer: March 15

APPLICATION PROCESS

Details: Typically, two to four interns are hired each semester and each summer. In the spring and fall, interns typically work part-time and in the summer, interns work full-time. The Center pays all full-time interns Washington D.C. minimum wage, which is currently $13.25 per hour.

Applications: See above, based on the type of internship you're interested in. There is no application form. Following each deadline the Center will select applicants to interview. Interviews are conducted at the Center if the student is in D.C. or by phone if he or she is not. People of diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply.

Because of the large volume of resumes we are unable to personally acknowledge the status of every applicant. After a job application is received, it is reviewed and routed to the appropriate department for consideration. Only finalists will be contacted. Applicants may, however, check the status of their application through an email to [email protected].