How To Get Involved

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is eligible to apply?

A: Undergraduates who have completed at least two years of study, recent graduates (within two years of graduation), and graduate/professional students. There are no age limits.

Q: How many hours per week?

A: Interns are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week and are most often encouraged to work more. Experience has taught us that anything less prevents the intern from being truly engaged with the work of the Center. The 20 hours are usually required to be in lump sums (e.g., four days of five hours each; five days of four hours each, etc.).

Q: How long is the internship?

A: The internship roughly follows the semester system. Interns are required to work a minimum of 15 weeks (except for summer session, which is from 10 to 15 weeks in length, as agreed upon with the supervisor), and may work more. Enough flexibility exists to accommodate students on the quarter system or other academic schedules.

Q: Are there travel opportunities?

A: Occasionally opportunities arise for interns to travel with staff on Center-related trips (e.g., election monitoring missions, domestic and international conferences, training workshops, etc.). The Center is making a concerted effort to provide more opportunities. All applicants should expect that their internship would be spent in Atlanta.

Q: Are the internships paid?

A: No. The Center does not offer stipends to all of its interns.

Q: How much clerical work?

A: No more than 30 percent. Clerical work is something that staff and interns alike must do, but the Center prides itself on offering an internship program that focuses on substantive and often rigorous programmatic work.

Q: Can I receive academic credit?

A: Yes. If an applicant's college or university offers academic credit for internships, the Center will work with the school to match academic requirements with the requirements of the intern's host program. Necessary forms from the college or university should be submitted upon acceptance to the intern's program supervisor.

Q: Can I reapply if unsuccessful?

A: Yes. Unsuccessful applications are kept on file for a year. To reactivate your file, you should send a written request to the internship coordinator and submit updated transcripts and résumé prior to the appropriate deadline.

Q: Do you provide housing?

A: The Carter Center does not provide housing for interns but will provide information on available housing in staff and neighborhood resident homes, local apartment complexes, and the like. Advice on adjusting to life in Atlanta is plentiful.

Q: Will I work with the Carters?

A: It is very unlikely. However, President and Mrs. Carter do meet with the interns as a group at least once each semester, schedules permitting, to talk about Center-related issues. They are genuinely supportive of the internship program and have great appreciation for the work of Center interns.