Internships with the Office of the Mayor

Program Details

Location: San Francisco City Hall (in-person only)

Duration: Typically 8-12 weeks, offered during one of three terms:

Spring (January-April), Summer (May-August), Fall (September-December)

Hours: 10-20 hours per week; office hours Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. In-person.

Eligibility: Open to up to six students per term who are currently enrolled at an accredited college and university. The Mayor’s Office does not currently have an internship program for high school students.

Credit: Course credit available (students must consult with their academic department).

Compensation: Unpaid internship.

Open Application Periods and Deadlines:

• Spring: October 1-31 (Deadline October 31; notified by December 1)
• Summer: March 1-31 (Deadline March 31; notified by May 1)
• Fall: June 1-June 30 (Deadline June 30; notified by August 1)Applications are only accepted during the periods noted above. Late or early applications will not be accepted.

Focus Areas

Interns will work within one of the following focus areas:

• Communications: Assist in crafting speeches, press releases, social media content, and internal communications for the Mayor's office. Help manage public relations efforts and contribute to shaping the city’s narrative in the media.
• Government Affairs: Learn how local government interacts with state and federal agencies. Assist with tracking legislative developments, supporting advocacy efforts, and preparing materials for meetings with policymakers.
• Community Affairs: Engage with San Francisco's diverse communities. Support outreach efforts, attend community meetings, and assist in managing relationships with community organizations and local stakeholders.
• Policy: Support policy research and analysis on key issues facing San Francisco. Assist in developing policy recommendations and briefings that inform the Mayor’s decisions on local legislation and city initiatives.
• Protocol: Coordinate global partnerships to drive the City’s priorities and strengthen its position on the international stage. Assist with carrying out foreign affairs at the municipal level.

Additional Program Features

• Mentorship: Interns will be paired with a staff member who will provide guidance, support, and career development advice throughout the internship. This mentorship will give an inside look at navigating a career in public service.
• Networking: Opportunities to network with key figures from local government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. This gives interns direct access to professionals who can help guide their careers.
• City Initiatives & Public Engagement: Interns will visit key sites where the Mayor’s Office is working on initiatives like affordable housing and sustainability. They’ll also attend public events and press conferences to see how the office interacts with the community and media.
• Capstone Project: Interns will complete a 500-word written report summarizing their experience and contributions at the end of the internship. The report should highlight key projects or tasks they worked on, skills developed, challenges faced, and reflections on their overall learning and growth.