EEOC Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs Externship Program: Internship Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Students interested in civil rights, employment law, communications, public policy, legislative affairs, outreach, and government operations have an opportunity to gain practical experience through the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs (OCLA) Externship Program at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The program provides internship and externship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate/professional students who want to gain hands-on experience within a federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit employment discrimination.

Through the program, students may contribute to communications, legislative affairs, policy research, congressional engagement, private-sector outreach, federal-sector training, and other projects supporting the work of the EEOC.

The opportunities are particularly suitable for students who want to understand how a federal agency communicates with the public, interacts with Congress, develops policy and legal materials, conducts outreach, and supports the enforcement of equal employment opportunity laws.

About the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the federal agency responsible for preventing and remedying unlawful employment discrimination and advancing equal opportunity in workplaces.

The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination against job applicants and employees based on protected characteristics and circumstances, including:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Pregnancy
• National origin
• Age for individuals aged 40 or older
• Disability
• Genetic information

The agency plays an important role in protecting workers and job applicants and promoting equal opportunity throughout the workplace.

Within the EEOC, the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs (OCLA) represents the agency to three major audiences:

1. The general public
2. The news media
3. Congress

The OCLA Externship Program therefore provides students with the opportunity to work in areas connected to public communication, government relations, policy, legislative affairs, outreach, research, and training.

What the OCLA Externship Program Offers

The internship opportunities are available to both undergraduate students and graduate/professional students.

Applicants should have an interest in civil rights and demonstrate:

• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong communication abilities
• Good organizational skills
• An interest in the work of the EEOC and its mission

The internships are unpaid. However, interns may be eligible to receive academic credit depending on the requirements and policies of their educational institution.

The program offers opportunities during the regular academic year as well as the summer, allowing students to seek an internship or externship experience that aligns with their academic schedule.

Areas of Internship Opportunity

One of the major advantages of the OCLA program is that students may have the opportunity to work in different functional areas within the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs.

The available areas include Communications, Legislative Affairs, Advice, Audits and External Reports, Private Sector Outreach and Training, and Federal Sector Outreach and Training.

1. Communications

Students interested in communications, media, digital content, public relations, journalism, government communications, or public affairs may find the Communications area particularly relevant.

Communications interns may assist OCLA communications staff with a variety of projects.

Potential assignments may include:

• Drafting content for the EEOC’s social media channels
• Drafting content for the EEOC website
• Assisting with press releases
• Drafting talking points
• Supporting the development of communications strategies
• Assisting with the implementation of communications strategies
• Supporting media outreach
• Working on special communications projects

This area can provide practical exposure to how a federal government agency communicates its work and mission to the public.

Students may also gain experience in adapting information for different audiences, developing clear written materials, supporting communication campaigns, and contributing to the agency’s digital presence.

2. Legislative Affairs

The Legislative Affairs area is suited to students interested in government, public policy, political science, legislative processes, congressional affairs, law, or related disciplines.

Intern assignments may include:

• Researching legislative issues
• Tracking bills and legislative developments
• Developing materials for dissemination to congressional staff
• Drafting responses to congressional inquiries
• Attending congressional briefings
• Participating in congressional briefings
• Supporting other Legislative Affairs projects

This area can expose students to the relationship between a federal agency and Congress and provide insight into how legislative developments can affect government operations and policy.

3. Advice, Audits, and External Reports

The Advice, Audits, and External Reports area provides opportunities for students to support OCLA staff with research, reports, inquiries, policy work, and legal or procedural matters.

Potential assignments include:

• Researching inquiries and requests
• Responding to inquiries and requests
• Assisting with requests from the Congressional Budget Office
• Assisting with requests from the Government Accountability Office
• Assisting with requests from the Office of Management and Budget
• Preparing agency reports
• Researching communications-related issues
• Researching legislative affairs issues
• Researching agency procedures
• Preparing legal advice
• Preparing policy advice
• Preparing memoranda for OCLA staff

Law students are strongly preferred for this area because some assignments involve legal and policy research and the preparation of legal or policy memoranda.

Students interested in law, public policy, government administration, regulatory affairs, and federal agency procedures may therefore find this area particularly valuable.

4. Private Sector Outreach and Training

The Private Sector Outreach and Training area focuses on engagement with businesses, community organizations, advocacy partners, and other stakeholders.

Intern assignments may include:

• Researching community partners
• Identifying advocacy partners throughout the country
• Drafting marketing materials for free training programs
• Drafting marketing materials for fee-based training programs
• Drafting talking points
• Preparing presentation materials
• Assisting with large web-based training programs
• Supporting community outreach
• Working on special projects

This area can be particularly useful for students interested in communications, marketing, public engagement, nonprofit work, community development, civil rights advocacy, training, and stakeholder relations.

5. Federal Sector Outreach and Training

The Federal Sector Outreach and Training area focuses on supporting the training activities of the EEOC.

Interns may assist with the full training lifecycle, including:

• Preparing training sessions
• Assisting with hosting training sessions
• Maintaining training records
• Issuing participant certificates
• Communicating with training participants
• Coordinating training logistics

This opportunity can provide practical experience in training administration, program coordination, participant communication, record management, and event logistics.

Skills and Qualities Applicants Should Demonstrate

The EEOC is looking for students who can contribute effectively to OCLA’s work.

Applicants should have an interest in civil rights and should be able to demonstrate strong skills in areas such as:

Writing

Strong writing skills are important because many assignments involve drafting social media content, website content, press releases, talking points, legislative materials, responses, reports, memoranda, marketing materials, and presentations.

Communication

Students should be able to communicate clearly and professionally with different audiences. Depending on the assignment, this may involve communicating with members of the public, congressional staff, training participants, community partners, advocacy organizations, or other stakeholders.

Organization

Many of the OCLA assignments involve research, tracking issues, coordinating activities, maintaining records, preparing materials, and supporting projects. Strong organizational skills can therefore be important to successfully completing assignments.

Microsoft Office

Applicants are expected to have strong Microsoft Office experience. Familiarity with common productivity tools can be particularly useful when preparing documents, presentations, spreadsheets, reports, and other materials.

Interest in Civil Rights

An interest in civil rights is an important component of the program because the EEOC’s work centers on preventing and remedying unlawful employment discrimination and advancing equal opportunity.

Remote Internship Opportunities

Although the OCLA is located in Washington, DC, the program may provide opportunities for students to participate remotely.

Remote participation is not automatically guaranteed. Candidates seeking a remote arrangement must demonstrate that they are capable of working independently.

This ability may be demonstrated through:

• Previous experience working independently
• Statements from references
• Other evidence demonstrating the candidate’s ability to work effectively without being physically present in the office

In addition, candidates must receive approval from their university to participate in the internship or externship remotely.

Students interested in a remote arrangement should therefore consider both their ability to work independently and their university’s requirements before applying.

When Are the Internships Available?

The OCLA internship opportunities are available during:

• The regular academic year
• The summer

Applicants should indicate the semester or session for which they are seeking consideration when submitting their application.

Because no specific application deadline is provided in the available information, students should identify their preferred semester or session and submit their application accordingly.

APPLY HERE

How to Apply for the EEOC OCLA Externship Program

Students interested in applying should submit their application materials by email.

Applicants should send:

1. A cover letter
2. A resume

Applications should be sent to:

OCLAInterns@eeoc.gov

The cover letter should provide important information about the applicant’s academic program and internship requirements.

Applicants should specifically explain:

• The requirements of their school’s internship or externship program, if applicable
• The semester or session for which they are seeking consideration
• Their area or areas of interest within OCLA

Applicants should therefore avoid submitting a generic cover letter. The application should clearly communicate why they are interested in the EEOC and which OCLA functional areas they would like to explore.

What to Include in Your Application

A strong application should clearly demonstrate the applicant’s interest in the opportunity and connect their academic and practical experience to the work of OCLA.

Applicants may want to highlight relevant experience involving:

• Civil rights
• Employment issues
• Communications
• Social media
• Journalism
• Writing
• Public relations
• Public policy
• Legislative research
• Government
• Law
• Legal research
• Community outreach
• Advocacy
• Training
• Research
• Program coordination
• Microsoft Office
• Public speaking
• Stakeholder engagement

Students should also clearly explain why they are interested in their selected OCLA area.

For example, a student applying for Communications could emphasize writing, social media, media, public relations, digital communications, or content development experience.

A student applying for Legislative Affairs could emphasize legislative research, political science, government, public policy, congressional affairs, or related academic and professional experience.

A law student applying for Advice, Audits, and External Reports could highlight legal research, policy analysis, writing, and preparation of legal memoranda.

Academic Credit

The OCLA internships are unpaid. However, interns may receive academic credit.

Students who are interested in receiving academic credit should check with their university or academic department to determine whether the internship can satisfy their institution’s internship or externship requirements.

Applicants should also explain their school’s internship or externship requirements in their cover letter where applicable.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This opportunity can be particularly valuable for students who are interested in combining their academic studies with practical experience in a federal government environment.

Potentially relevant students include those studying or interested in:

• Law
• Political Science
• Communications
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Public Policy
• International Relations
• Government
• Civil Rights
• Public Administration
• Marketing
• Community Development
• Advocacy
• Legislative Affairs
• Legal Studies
• Social Sciences

The source specifically identifies an interest in civil rights and strong writing, communication, organization, and Microsoft Office skills as important applicant qualities.

Students should select the OCLA area that best aligns with their academic background and career interests.

Geographic and Eligibility Considerations

The provided program information states that the EEOC is an equal opportunity employer.

However, the information provided does not establish a specific nationality, citizenship, race, country, or continental restriction for applicants.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that the program is either globally open or restricted exclusively to U.S. citizens based solely on the information provided here. Any specific citizenship, residency, visa, or work-authorization requirements should be confirmed directly with the EEOC before applying.

For students seeking remote participation, university approval is specifically required, and candidates must demonstrate an ability to work independently.

Why This Opportunity Can Be Valuable

Although the internship is unpaid, the program can provide students with practical exposure to the operations of a major federal agency.

Depending on the area selected, students may gain experience in:

• Government communications
• Social media communication
• Website content development
• Press releases
• Media outreach
• Legislative research
• Congressional engagement
• Policy research
• Legal research
• Report preparation
• Community outreach
• Advocacy engagement
• Training administration
• Presentation development
• Stakeholder communication
• Project coordination
• Federal agency procedures

This type of experience can help students better understand how public institutions communicate, develop policies, engage stakeholders, support legislation-related activities, and deliver programs.

Visit HERE to learn more about the EEOC Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs Externship Program

Key Takeaways for Prospective Applicants

Before submitting an application, prospective applicants should make sure they have considered the following:

1. Identify your preferred OCLA area.
   Decide whether Communications, Legislative Affairs, Advice, Audits and External Reports, Private Sector Outreach and Training, or Federal Sector Outreach and Training best matches your interests.
2. Prepare a targeted resume.
   Highlight academic, volunteer, professional, research, communication, leadership, or other experience relevant to your preferred area.
3. Write a targeted cover letter.
   Explain why you are interested in the EEOC and the specific OCLA area you want to work in.
4. Mention your academic requirements.
   If your university requires an internship or externship, explain the requirements in your cover letter.
5. Specify your preferred session.
   Clearly state whether you are applying for the summer or a particular semester/session.
6. Consider remote requirements.
   If you are requesting remote participation, demonstrate your ability to work independently and confirm that your university approves remote participation.
7. Showcase your writing and communication abilities.
   These are particularly important because many OCLA assignments involve drafting, research, communication, and preparation of materials.
8. Apply using the specified email address.
   Submit your cover letter and resume to OCLAInterns@eeoc.gov.

Conclusion

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs Externship Program offers undergraduate and graduate/professional students an opportunity to gain practical experience within a federal agency dedicated to preventing and remedying unlawful employment discrimination and advancing equal opportunity.

The program provides several areas of specialization, allowing students to pursue assignments involving communications, legislative affairs, legal and policy research, private-sector outreach, community engagement, federal-sector training, and program coordination.

For students interested in civil rights, government, law, communications, public policy, advocacy, legislative affairs, outreach, or public-sector work, the program can provide valuable exposure to the practical operations of a federal agency.

Applicants should prepare a strong resume and tailored cover letter, identify their preferred OCLA area, state the semester or summer session they are seeking, and explain any academic internship or externship requirements. Those seeking remote participation must also demonstrate their ability to work independently and obtain university approval.

Because the internships are unpaid, prospective applicants should also determine whether they can receive academic credit through their institution. Most importantly, applicants should carefully communicate their relevant skills and interests and explain why they want to contribute to the EEOC’s mission of advancing equal opportunity in the workplace.

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