ENGAGED COLLEGE STUDENTS
CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWS
Congressional offices
participating universities
Overview
Undergraduate students serve in a congressional office in Washington D.C. for 10 weeks for the duration of summer 2024. While students may need to take an unpaid position, they may receive a financial stipend of up to $3,000 provided by KAGC. During their internship, Fellows will assist on issues related to Korea and the Korean American community; however, the scope of service is not limited to any one subject. Through this opportunity, students will gain a first-hand expectation in public service, policy-making processes, and national efforts towards civic engagement.
The 2024 KAGC Congressional Fellowship is open to all students interested in the mission of KAGC and its programs, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Duration
- Wednesday, May 29th- Wednesday, August 7th (10 weeks)*
*Duration is subject to each congressional office’s policy
Benefits
- KAGC will provide up to a $3,000 stipend for the duration of the summer Fellowship; and
- Eligibility to receive academic credit at the student’s college or university (subject to institution’s policy).
Eligibility
- Active full-time enrollment in a university pursuing an undergraduate degree, or a recent graduation within the last 12 months at the time of application window;
- Completion of at least 15 credits towards an undergraduate degree; and
- Legal authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the program.
Application Requirement
It is highly recommended that you read the entire application packet before proceeding to fill in this information. Please submit all of the following components to this link by 5PM ET on Friday, March 8th, 2024.
- Completed application form;
- Essays #1, #2, and #3;
- Resume; and
- Official transcript issued within the past 90 days;
- 1 letter of recommendation – Faculty Member;
- 1 letter of recommendation – Applicant’s choice.
*Both letters of recommendations have to be submitted as pdf attachments to info@kagc.us by March 8th, 2024 at 5 pm ET. The header of the email subject should be “Full Name of Applicant – Letter of Recommendation for the 2024 KAGC Congressional Fellowship Program”
Participation Requirement
For Legislative Intern
While responsibilities will differ for each congressional office, typical hill intern duties include the following:
- Drafting write-ups and recommendations for co-sponsoring of legislation
- Attending congressional hearing and writing up a summary report
- Constituent services: letter writing, capitol tours, and office calls
- Operations: scheduling and member management
For KAGC Congressional Fellow
- Full attendance to education sessions before, during, and after the program
- KAGC Events*; and
- Completion of exit interview after successful completion of the program
*Dates will be disclosed by the KAGC office upon acceptance
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated interest in public service, public policy, and civic leadership;
- Quality of application and interview performance;
- Communication and leadership skills;
- Scholastic achievement;
- Community service experience and contribution; and
- District residency (if applicable)
*In no specific order or ranking
Selection Process
- Candidate submits KAGC application material
- Candidates participate in KAGC zoom interview
- Based on preference and fit, candidate is recommended to participating congressional offices
- Candidate submits separate application to participating congressional offices
- Candidate participates in congressional office interviews
Enrichment Opportunities
Applicants accepted to the KAGC Congressional Fellowship, before their interviews with the host offices, are provided with webinars and one-on-one coaching on resume revision, cover letter writing, and interview preparations. They are also provided with webinars on the overview of the U.S. Congress and legislative process. For those placed in a congressional office through the KAGC Congressional Fellowship program, KAGC hosts panel discussions with current Hill staffers, social events open to other interns on the Hill and across Washington, D.C., meet and greet events with leaders in public service, and education programs on the key issues of the Korean American community.
Program Timeline
- Applications are reviewed by KAGC on an ongoing basis;
- KAGC will schedule Zoom interviews with applicants;
- Candidates are notified of their acceptance and preliminary office placement;
- Deadline to Apply: Friday, March 8th at 5 PM ET
- KAGC will nominate a “finalist” to the host office of best fit;
- The finalist will also submit a separate application for the host office;
- Host office schedules and conducts an interview with the finalist; and
- Host office notifies KAGC of final status on summer internship offer
- Full-time internship for 8-10 weeks
- *Duration of internship are subject to each office’s policy and needs*
Previous Offices
- Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA)
- Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
- Rep. Andy Kim (D, NJ-3)
- Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R, FL-23)
- Rep. Bill Pascrell (D, NJ-9)
- Rep. Brad Sherman (D, CA-30)
- Rep. Ted Poe (R, TX-2)
- Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D, TX-18)
- Rep. Joaquin Castro (D, TX-20)
- Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D, CA-34)
- Rep. Adam Smith (D, WA-9)
- Rep. Gregory Meeks (D, NY-5)
- Rep. Charlie Crist (D, FL-13)
- Rep. Gil Cisneros (D, CA-39)
- Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D, TX-35)
- Rep. Susan Davis (D, CA-53)
- Rep. Bill Foster (D, IL-11)
- Rep. Randy Weber (R, TX-14)
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D, NJ-5)
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer (District office)
- Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission under Co-Chair Chris Smith (R, NJ-4)
- U.S. Department of Transportation