Program Overview
The James H. Dunn, Jr. Memorial Fellowship Program provides bright, highly motivated recent college graduates a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the operations of state government for one year.
Dunn Fellows are recruited from public and private colleges and universities across the nation. Qualified applicants must have completed a bachelor's or higher graduate degree in the 18 months prior to the program's commencement and must demonstrate a commitment to excellence through academic honors, leadership ability, extracurricular activities, and community/public service involvement. The program begins on the first weekday in August and ends on July 31st of the following year.
Fellows spend one week of August receiving an orientation to state government including tours, policy discussions, a panel of program alumni, and a brown bag lunch with senior staff, among other activities. After the orientation period, fellows return to their home office to work under the direction of their supervisor.
Dunn Fellows are paid $31,332 annually and receive full state benefits.
Positions in the current 2017-2018 class of Dunn Fellows include:
Communications
Federal Affairs
General Counsel
Government Transformation & Metrics
Governor’s Office of Constituent Affairs
Legislative Affairs
Office of Management & Budget
Policy: Economic Development & Innovation
Policy: Education
Policy: Health, Human Services, & Public Safety
Public Engagement & Intergovernmental Affairs
A majority of Fellows will be based in Springfield, with limited placements in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Dunn Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I have any questions regarding the Dunn Fellow Program who should I contact?
A: Chicago/DC - Courtney Geary (Courtney.Geary@illinois.gov, 312-814-2570)
Springfield – Denise Albert (Denise.Albert@illinois.gov, 217-782-1101)
Apply at: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gov/about/opportunities/pages/application-dunn.aspx
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers internships in four main areas: Natural Resource Management, Park Ranger, Facility Management, and Cultural Resource Management. Internships usually last for eight to twelve weeks. Off-season (winter) internships, in areas such as Cultural Resource Management, are also available by contacting the volunteer coordinator.
Apply at: https://www.nps.gov/slbe/getinvolved/internship-opportunities.htm
The National Museum of American History internship program allows a diverse group of people with innumerable interests, strengths, and goals to encounter an educational environment where they can work with and learn from professionals and scholars in related areas of concentration. The Museum offers interns of different backgrounds incredible opportunities in a variety of fields, from public relations to exhibition research to project design. Learning from knowledgeable mentors in the dynamic atmosphere of the Museum and Washington, D.C. area, interns enjoy an intensive experience as multifaceted as the Museum itself.
Interns at The Field Museum get extensive hands-on experience and an in-depth look at the inner workings of a world-class institution. Each summer, we host more than 200 internships representing almost every Museum department. In addition, there are numerous internships that take place during the academic year.
The House offers many college internship opportunities in Washington, DC, and district offices around the U.S. Opportunities are generally available in the spring, summer, and fall. Summer positions are the most popular and most competitive. Applying for an internship or fellowship is similar to applying for admission to a college or university. The application process takes time and effort, often requiring essays and interviews.
The Project Vote Smart National Internship Program provides a unique lesson in the study of American politics. Students from across the nation and around the world come to our high tech research center in the Montana Rockies for ten weeks to help American citizens educate themselves about elected officials and candidates. By providing this information in an easy and accessible manner, Project Vote Smart believes that citizens can better defend themselves from the political hype and misrepresentation characteristic of present day political campaigns.
The National Geographic Society established its Geography Intern Program in 1981 to furnish qualified students with a professional learning experience. Over 30 years later, more than 800 university and college juniors, seniors, and master’s students majoring in geography or cartography have participated in the program by interning on various projects aimed at the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge. The program is designed to give students an opportunity to apply knowledge and techniques learned in the classroom to practical publication procedures or other geographic outreach projects at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. In a given year, the Society offers a limited number of 12-week internships.
Apply at: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/careers/internships/
City Internships - Global Internship Program
The Global Internship Program is launching in Sydney this summer. The program will be limited to 50 places.
Students interested in spending their summer in Sydney this year may add themselves to our waiting list by emailing sydney@city-internships.com. We will contact those on the waiting list by mid-March.
The application process for the Global Internship Program in London, Los Angeles and New York is due to close by April this year. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students are advised to apply ASAP to secure a spot. Students and recent graduates may apply.