Government & Civics Opportunities for High School Students
Government and civics opportunities include internships with local or state officials, civic leadership fellowships, and Model UN or debate-adjacent programs. Local government is the most underused entry point here — a city council office or a state representative's district office is often genuinely willing to take on a motivated high school intern, with far less competition than a national-level program.
These opportunities tend to reward students who show up already having read about a specific local issue, not just a general interest in politics — a concrete question about something in your own city or district goes a long way in an outreach email.
Real government & civics opportunities right now
Common questions
Can high schoolers really intern with a government office?
Yes — local and state offices in particular often accept high school interns for constituent services, research, and event support.
Is Model UN the same as a government internship?
No — Model UN is a simulation-based competition (debating and negotiating as a delegate); a government internship is real work inside an actual office.
Do civic fellowships require a specific political affiliation?
Most nonpartisan civic fellowships don't — they're built around civic engagement and leadership skills generally, not a specific political viewpoint.