Leavitt Center Internship Portal
The Leavitt Center places interns at the local, state, and federal levels. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Internships are available during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, with offerings varying based on employer needs and availability. For the most up-to-date list of participating organizations, please contact lcintern@suu.edu.
The Leavitt Center's internship program is designed to provide any Southern Utah University student with professional development opportunities within various fields in the public sector, including government, politics, and non-profit organizations. These internships are designed to help prepare students to succeed in their future careers. As an intern, students gain and improve important skills such as communication, work ethic, professionalism, and organization. The internship program allows students to apply their knowledge in practical life circumstances.
Former Leavitt Center interns often credit their internships with providing them the skills and experience needed to gain a competitive edge in the job market upon graduating from SUU. National data supports the value of internships: according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2024 Student Survey, more than two-thirds of graduating seniors engaged in an internship experience during their college career, marking the highest participation rate recorded in the past six years. Additionally, NACE’s 2024 Internship & Co-op Report indicates that approximately 67% of interns received full-time job offers, and about 53% of eligible interns were converted to full-time employees. NACE research also highlights that students with internship experience tend to secure full-time employment more quickly and advance in their careers faster than those without such experience.
Application Requirements
- Internship Application (See Below)
- Cover Letter
- Current Resume
- 4-5 Page writing sample
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- Unofficial SUU transcript
Overview and Deadlines
Students can find internship opportunities in a variety of places, from local to national opportunities. Deadlines may vary, so plan accordingly.
Local Internships
Local internships Include a wide array of opportunities.
Semester Deadlines
Fall: September 11th
Spring: November 24th
Summer: March 30th
State Internships
We feature internships at the Utah State Capitol.
Semester Deadlines:
Fall: March 30th
Spring: October 15th
Summer: January 26th
National/Washington D.C.
Internships include the U.S. Congress and federal agencies.
Semester Deadlines:
Fall: March 30th
Spring: October 1st
Summer: January 26th
Abby Bedont
"My name is Abby Bedont, I am a senior majoring in Political Science, with minors in sociology, legal studies, and international relations. I was a Legislative Intern during the 2025 legislative session. I was assigned to Senator Evan Vickers, who represents Cedar City and the surrounding area. I had the absolute best time working in the Senate and I learned so much. I highly recommend taking advantage of this internship opportunity because you will not get a more hands-on legislative experience than interning at the Legislature."
Bryn Zachreson
"My name is Bryn Zachreson, working as an Intern for the 2024 Legislative Session was one of the best decisions I ever made for my education, career and personal development. I had the opportunity to learn firsthand how positive change is created in local communities while networking with Utah's most powerful political forces. I met and worked with people of all backgrounds from teachers, to engineers, to stay-at-home moms and professional lobbyists. All of them had a valuable message to share with legislators. I was also personally mentored by my assigned Legislator, Senator Todd Weiler, who helped grow my love of public service. In this internship, I developed the skills necessary for my career, all while having an absolute blast. I could not recommend it enough!"