Are you looking for an opportunity to break into politics? Want to establish lasting connections and gain campaign experience? Would you like to work on behalf of a current or future Member of Congress?
The DCCC Internship Program is designed to give people substantial exposure to practical, campaign-style politics on a national level.
This is a great opportunity to help Democrats in our mission to take back the House and learn the ins and outs of a Congressional Campaign.
Who are we looking for?
- Proven leaders in their communities who are committed to electing Democratic candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives
- Smart, energetic, and fun people who are interested in gaining experience and involvement in politics
What are the benefits of the DCCC Internship Program?
- An unprecedented opportunity to work day-to-day with top political operatives in the country who are passionate about electing Democratic candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives
- Receive first-hand experience with how professional campaigns are run and how they function
- The opportunity to network with leaders in the field
The DCCC Internship Program will be offered on three different schedules:
- Spring Session: January-May
- Summer Session: May-August
- Fall Session: September-December
We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Spring session now through Monday, October 16, 2023. The Spring session will start on Monday, January 22nd and end on Friday, April 12th.
A stipend and Metro reimbursement is provided. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted, no phone calls please.
Internships are available in the following departments (descriptions below):
- Accounting and Operations
- Analytics
- Campaigns
- Communications
- Executive and Stakeholder Engagement
- Digital
- Direct Marketing
- Finance
- Research
Department Descriptions:
Accounting/Compliance and Operations:
This intern will work with both the Operations and Accounting departments developing greater knowledge of how the Committee operates. The Operations Department is responsible for the critical day-to-day business operations of the committee. This team makes sure that the committee staff has the resources and systems in place to enable staff to effectively execute their duties. The Accounting/Compliance department is responsible for overseeing all accounting, compliance, and Federal Election Commission (FEC) Reporting functions within the committee.
Interns can expect to assist with records maintenance, office administration, and to gain a basic knowledge of federal election law and political accounting practices. Examples of daily tasks include filing disbursements and receipts, assisting with expense account tracking, assisting with sales/use tax reporting, coordinating with the teams to manage miscellaneous projects, and assisting with Federal Election Compliance reporting. Please note, this is not a “strategy” field and work will be administrative in nature.
Analytics:
The DCCC Analytics Team is seeking an intern to learn and harness the DCCC’s state of the art analytics tools for use by congressional campaigns across the country. Duties will include data entry, data analysis, research, daily task tracking, using voter file data, and assisting with other projects.
Qualified applicants will have strong communications and problem solving skills. Applicants must be familiar with basic data management software (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.) and have a basic knowledge of statistics. Knowledge of advanced database software or geographic information systems is helpful, but not required. Coursework in statistics, political data, database management, demographic data, or geographic information systems is also helpful but not required.
Campaigns:
The DCCC Campaigns Department is committed to recruiting, training, and electing Democratic candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives. The Department provides the technical, logistical, and strategic support necessary for candidates and staff to run strong, winning campaigns. The department includes the following teams: Political, Organizing, Constituency Engagement, Digital Campaigns, Candidate Fundraising, Voter Protection & Litigation, and Independent Expenditure.
The Campaigns Department provides guidance to campaigns on strategy, fundraising, messaging, budgeting, digital persuasion, and voter contact, as well as a wide range of other areas. The team is tasked with tracking the political climate on a national and district-by-district basis, and working to help campaigns gain visibility, both in-district and in Washington, D.C.
Interns will be involved in the day to day operations of the Campaigns department. They will help track congressional races; maintain our database and candidate files while gaining exposure to all aspects of supporting successful campaigns.
Communications:
The DCCC’s Communications department engages in a variety of message activities to help elect a Democratic majority and to further the Democratic Caucus’ political objectives through earned media. The primary goal of the Communications department is communicating a strong and effective Democratic message in both the national press and in the local press in the House’s key battleground states. In addition, the Communications department offers a variety of services to Democratic Members.
The Communications Intern would assist in maintaining district specific lists of media outlets, sending out press releases, and monitoring media coverage using an online media monitoring service. The Intern would also provide daily Administrative support for the Communications Director and the department as a whole.
Executive and Stakeholder Engagement:
The DCCC Executive team is the primary team supporting the DCCC Chairwoman. This team manages the priorities and day-to-day schedule of the Chairwoman as well as her relations to members, donors, partners, and other stakeholders. The DCCC Stakeholder Engagement team works on preserving, cultivating, and enhancing strategic relationships with allied organizations and stakeholders in Democratic and progressive networks, and incorporates using our DEI lens in all relationships and communications.
This internship offers a unique access to a birds’ eye view of Democratic House strategy and operations, Democratic House campaigns, Members of the US House of Representatives, political and non-profit organizations, and possible networking opportunities. Some of the duties the intern would assist with are drafting and assisting with the Chair’s presentations and speaking engagements, Members of Congress-based and organizational data tracking and upkeep, prep and staffing for meetings/events with Members of Congress, stakeholders, and organizations/nonprofits, drafting correspondence from the Chair to members and donors, drafting DEI newsletter, DEI event prep and staffing, and more.
Digital:
The Digital team is responsible for the DCCC’s online fundraising, email program, website, digital content and social media.
Interns will assist in writing and loading emails, developing and posting social media content, updating the DCCC website and assisting with donor needs.
Direct Marketing:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Direct Marketing team is seeking an enthusiastic individual who is looking to learn more about grassroots fundraising and campaign politics. The Direct Marketing team fundraises through direct mail, telemarketing, and peer-to-peer texting.
Interns would assist the team with reviewing and editing copy and art for fundraising materials; communicating with grassroots donors through phone, email, and mail; assisting with campaign compliance; maintaining our donor database; aiding with political research projects; supporting the team through administrative tasks as needed; and helping with special projects and other tasks as needed.
Finance:
The Finance Department raises the funds that are essential to maintaining and expanding the Democratic Caucus in the House. The resources raised by this department help Democratic incumbents and challengers win competitive House seats.
The Finance Department has several different programs that utilize the strength and diversity of the Democratic Caucus and the Party through regional fundraising divisions. This department also plans and executes high-dollar fundraising events throughout the country.
Examples of daily tasks include preparing memos, conducting donor research and preparing for fundraising events. Interns may also be asked to help with long-term projects that may including research projects, compiling Member bios, and sourcing contact information. Interns will also attend and staff local fundraising events.
Research:
The DCCC Research Department provides committee staff and congressional candidates with detailed information, ranging from issue briefs to public records research. The department specializes in framing strategic messaging for local concerns within the larger context of our national debate. We look forward to working with candidates on paid and earned media content, legislative updates, debate preparation, vote reports, and building a case to take to voters using well-documented facts.
Research at the DCCC requires hard work and attention to detail, but most importantly, enthusiasm for politics and public policy. Interns will help the Research Department compile databases, opposition research, and help track events, news, issues, and policy on the Hill, in D.C.-based think tanks, and locally in Congressional districts, as well as other tasks as needed.