Arizona Chamber internship gives college students an insider’s view

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2023 will once again offer an internship program for Arizona college students, providing future leaders the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of advocacy and state government.

The Chamber’s legislative internship program gives undergraduate or graduate students the opportunity to work directly with the Chamber’s legislative affairs team, staff Chamber policy committee meetings, work with stakeholders to advance pro-business legislation, and attend committee hearings at the state Capitol.

“The Arizona Chamber is at the forefront of crafting pro-business policy that advances Arizona,” said Courtney Coolidge, the Chamber’s vice president of government affairs. “Our internship program gives students the chance to be a part of the Chamber’s advocacy work and gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process.”

The internship is a gateway to personal and professional growth. In addition to developing a variety of skills through the internship’s activities, it is also a fantastic networking opportunity.

“Staffing Public Affairs meetings and attending hearings at the state Capitol, I had the opportunity to acquaint myself with and even befriend business leaders across the state and state legislators from both parties,” said Stephen Matter, an ASU student who participated in the internship during the 2022 legislative session.

Interns do several things, including:

Staff policy committee meetings
Attend state House and Senate committee meetings
Draft meeting minutes
Draft notes on policy discussions and debates
Interact directly with legislative team and Chamber board members

This internship will be the first formal work experience for many interns, who will benefit from an orientation that teaches them about the Legislature, the lawmaking process, workplace etiquette, event planning and production, and occasional tours of Chamber member facilities.

The internship is offered during the spring academic semester, from January through the end of the legislative session in late spring.

This is a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students from Arizona universities who want to pursue a career in public policy, politics, and law. Previous knowledge of the legislative process is not required to apply, but some familiarity is encouraged.

The legislative internship is a paid internship and consists of about 20 hours per week.

Applications

Applications for 2023 legislative interns are open from Nov. 22, 2022, through Dec. 15, 2022. Applications should be sent to [email protected] and include: