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Public Policy Internships
If you are an undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate student looking for an internship in the field of public policy, you may want to consider an internship opportunity with AFSP/SPAN USA's Public Policy Office.
AFSP/SPAN USA is the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide. To that end, the AFSP/SPAN USA Public Policy Office is always looking for interns to assist in our mission during the spring, summer and fall semesters.
As an intern with AFSP/SPAN USA, students will be given the opportunity to experience the fast paced environment of Washington, DC while learning from experienced staff and other public policy and mental health professionals. Our internships are catered to those looking for hands-on experience in the public policy arena with an emphasis on tailoring your experience to your professional goals and objectives.
For additional information about AFSP/SPAN USA's public policy internship opportunities, or to submite a resume for consideration of a Summer 2010 internship, please contact Trevor Summerfield, AFSP/SPAN USA's Manager of Public Policy, at tsummerfield@afsp.org.
Click here for a description of AFSP/SPAN USA's internship position as a Public Policy Associate
2009-2010 Intern Profiles
Julie - George Mason University
As a Master’s of Social Work student with a clinical background, I was apprehensive about completing my graduate internship with the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, the public policy arm of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. My apprehension was unfounded, as I quickly learned; my 2009-2010 internship was easily one of the most rewarding and educational times of my social work career thus far.
As an intern with SPAN, you champion the cause of suicide prevention, education, and research to the nation’s policy makers. There was never a “typical” day at SPAN; one day I might attend a coalition or Hill meeting, the next I would continue learning to use legislative tracking services to research current bills. One of the best experiences that occurred during my time with SPAN was the 2010 Legislative Institute. After spending months preparing for the event, you can imagine my excitement when we were finally given the chance to host suicide prevention advocates from all over the country. It is at this event that I really began to see how powerful advocacy can be. I was inspired by presentations given by Brigadier General Lorree Sutton and my AFSP MSW supervisor, Mary Jean Coleman; I learned more about the political process in these 2 days than in my 18 years of formal education.
The best part of interning at SPAN is the staff that I get to work with daily. John Madigan, Senior Director of Public Policy, and Trevor Summerfield, Manager of Public Policy, understand an intern’s needs and wants. They were able to teach me a great amount of information, while also respecting that I had knowledge of my own to share. Their experience, knowledge, and general kindness are reasons why I had a successful year.
To be an intern at SPAN, one must have strong research and writing skills, as well as an interest in the American political process. The most important quality however is a deep concern about the lives of people who are affected daily because of suicide. This passion drove me to SPAN, and has increased exponentially throughout my time here. I am truly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with the AFSP/SPAN staff and increase my legislative knowledge.
Lindsey - McDaniel College
As an intern for SPAN USA, the public policy branch of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, I have gained important educational experience, but more importantly I have worked to make our society a better place. This is why I chose to intern with this organization in September of 2009 and why I would do so again in a heartbeat.
While interning at AFSP/SPAN USA, I have learned, under the direction of experts, the practical nuts and bolts of public policy. Furthermore, the day-to-day tasks I completed were always meaningful and interesting; from analyzing legislation to writing public policy issue briefs, each piece of work played an important role in educating policymakers and the grassroots network on issues of suicide prevention, education and research.
Another benefit of this internship is the opportunity to meet others working in the field of public policy, both Hill Staff and public policy advocates from other organizations. These networking opportunities were crucial to life after college, and again, were something I did not learn about in the classroom.
Understand that this is not an internship where you answer phones and make coffee runs; this is an opportunity to gain practical experience and a wealth of knowledge. You will have significant responsibilities, and you will be challenged in the tasks you are given. Ultimately, you will be treated as a professional among professionals, and you will leave AFSP/SPAN USA ready to enter the workforce of Washington, D.C.