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Home > Degree Programs > Office of Career Advancement > Students and Alumni > General Information > Summer Internships > MPP and MPA Internships
MPP and MPA Internships
Practical Applications for What You Have Learned
Many Harvard Kennedy School students in the MPP and MPA programs take internship positions in the summer between their first and second years. These internships offer students an opportunity to utilize skills they have developed in the classroom to expand their practical experience and their professional networks.
Each year, a wide range of internships is offered by organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Enrolled students may explore internship opportunites through JACK and through the internship database, which includes details of internships completed by students during the previous year.
Below is a sampling of internship activities that MPP and MPA students completed in past summers.
Public Sector - State and Local Government
California Public Utilities Commission
Worked on renewable energy projects, including development of green standards for greenhouse emissions reductions.
Chicago Police Department
Guided the development of an information technology portal to serve as a bridge between the Police Department and city residents.
DC Public Schools
Designed resource guides, a three-year strategic and logistical plan, and other tools and procedures to facilitate the effective implementation of out-of-school time policies and programs; drafted revisions for the city’s regulations to reflect out-of-school time issues.
State of Maryland, Office of the Governor
Wrote policy memos and briefed senior staff on a number of issues including education, energy, growth, homeland security, and job creation; worked with relevant cabinet secretaries and policy staff to help launch some of the governor's initiatives.
Public Sector – U.S. Federal or Foreign National Government
Government of Liberia, Office of the President
Assisted the Liberian government in qualifying for additional U.S. foreign assistance through the Millennium Challenge Corporation; organized events and meetings for the President and other officials in the executive branch.
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Conducted background research, went on site visits, interviewed officials, and helped lay the groundwork for the Secure Freight Initiative, a key provision of the SAFE Port Act of 2006.
U.S. State Department, U.S. Embassy in Vietnam
Responsible for reporting on issues pertaining to agriculture and intellectual property rights and on general economic developments in Vietnam; developed outreach programming with the Vietnamese on agriculture and intellectual property rights issues.
Inter-Governmental Organizations
European Commission
Worked on a women's representation campaign for the EU elections; wrote speeches, articles, and campaign remarks for the VP of the Commission.
OECD
Analyzed public employment and human resources management challenges among the OECD member countries.
The World Bank
Designed and conducted a supervision mission of a psychosocial health assistance program in remote Indonesian villages of Banda Aceh.
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat
Developed the Project Concept and TOR for carrying out National Environment and Economic Development Study (NEEDS) for Climate Change; analyzed financial architecture proposals for funding mitigation, adaptation and technology transfer in developing countries.
Nonprofit Sector
Acumen Fund
Mapped economic sector for nutrition investments in India and performed due diligence for a for-profit, low-cost hospital investment in Kenya.
Broadmoor Improvement Association
Developed and implemented logic models and timelines for restoring elementary education in a neighborhood damaged by Hurricane Katrina; conducted community outreach programs designed to determine local educational priorities, build ownership, and cultivate local leadership.
International Justice Mission
Researched issues for field offices including forced marriage in Ethiopia; the relationship between the Rwandan government and NGOs; and best practices for PR campaigns in India.
Private Sector
Boston Consulting Group
Advised the Gates Foundation on an advocacy strategy to eradicate malaria.
Horizon Wind Energy LLC
Developed market entry strategy and tactics for wind energy development in Mexico.
Wood Mackenzie Research and Consulting
Helped energy and financial services clients to better understand the impact of regulatory and market changes in vehicle fuel economy to U.S. and global oil demand.
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