Internships and Fellowships
Harris County Treasurer Dylan Osborne (CHIP Alumnus) with the spring 2019 Civic Houston Interns
The Hobby School of Public Affairs' internship programs and affiliated partnerships provide high caliber students an exceptional opportunity to explore and learn about various aspects of public service in legislative, political and non-profit environments in Houston, Washington and Austin.
Harris Fellows
Harris Fellows offers UH undergraduate students the opportunity to work as full-time interns in Harris County government offices during the summer.
Students will work full-time in Harris County government offices. Although assignments will vary from office to office, students will assist their host office in their general duties. This will most commonly include constituent services, research, policy analysis, and special projects as assigned.
The opportunity will provide students with outside of the classroom experience in the real-world day to day operations within the nation’s third largest county. Although students will complete a term paper relevant to their internships for academic credit, the overall focus of the program is to immerse them in the workings of county government so they can develop professional skills, gain applied research expertise, polish interpersonal abilities, and build a professional network. More...
The 2024 Harris Fellows
Hobby Fellows
Hobby Fellows offers UH undergraduate students the opportunity to work as full-time interns in the Texas Capitol during regular legislative sessions.
The majority of University of Houston students work while attending college. Few UH students can pursue public service careers in Austin or Washington, D.C., because internships—the primary gateway to permanent jobs in these cities—are available only to students who can afford to live away from home. The Hobby School of Public Affairs provides a stipend to the Hobby Fellows during the session to offset their expenses. More...
The 2023 Hobby Fellows
Leland Fellows
Leland Fellows offers UH undergraduate students the opportunity to work as full-time interns in the U.S. Capitol during regular legislative sessions.
Historically, economically disadvantaged students could rarely pursue employment opportunities as congressional staff members due to the reality that internships — the primary recruitment avenue — are available only to those who can financially afford to live in Washington, D.C. These expenses, plus loss of income from a local job, place this opportunity beyond the reach of many students. Leland Fellows provides a monthly stipend and round-trip airfare, as well as paid housing. More...
The 2024 Leland Fellows
Civic Houston Internship Program (CHIP)
Hobby School of Public Affairs Advisory Board Member Keith Wade with the spring 2020 Civic Houston Interns
Meet the Spring 2024 CHIP Interns!
The Hobby School of Public Affairs' Civic Houston Internship Program offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in public service. The program is offered to University of Houston students every fall and spring semester, led by Program Director, Jessica Ruland O'Connor.
The interns work an average of 8 hours per week over the 15-week semester in offices with elected officials at the municipal, county, state or federal levels. Some interns are assigned to community service organizations and campaigns. The interns meet as a class four times during the semester. Evaluation is based on a daily journal, a term paper, and an assessment by the office supervisor.
Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program
Founded by the late U.S. Congressman George Thomas “Mickey” Leland, the Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program provided University of Houston and Texas Southern University students the opportunity to serve as government interns in Washington, D.C. Each year, 6-10 students spent a semester directly involved in the political process. Intern activities included providing assistance in legislative research and attending committee hearings.
Supported by a major grant from Houston Endowment and matching funds from private entities, the Leland internship included weekly seminars, furnished housing, and a monthly stipend. The program was directed by Renee Cross.
The 2010 Mickey Leland Congressional Interns
Jose Eduardo Sanchez, Bobby Ray Williams, Tonya Chissell-Williams, Janae Ladet, Shukri Aziz, Rachel Burnett, Kaine Hampton and Jeneba Haffner
- About Congressman Mickey Leland
- The 2010 Leland Interns
- The 2009 Leland Interns
- The 2008 Leland Interns
- The 2007 Leland Interns
Hobby Leadership Award
Richard Murray Scholarship
The Richard Murray Endowed Scholarship was established in 2008 for the purpose of honoring Dr. Richard Murray's service to the Houston community and 40 years of teaching and research at the University of Houston. Click here to read more.