Since 1992, the TACL Political Internship Program (PIP) has been TACL’s flagship internship program, demonstrating TACL’s commitment to civic participation. PIP’s mission is to empower the best and brightest students to make an impact in our community through civic engagement. We aim to foster the next generation of leaders and increase Taiwanese American representation in our country’s crucial decision-making processes.

The program places college students in local and federal elected officials’ offices for a summer internship that emphasizes identity and community impact while gaining leadership and networking experience. This year’s nine-week Los Angeles program includes:

  • Internship: Full-time placement in a local district office in the Greater Los Angeles area to learn the inner workings of the political process
  • Workshops: Two-day orientation and sessions throughout the summer on leadership, identity, policy, and networking
  • Advocacy: Summer-long intern group project culminating in a 3-day lobbying visit to Sacramento on an issue important to the TA community
  • Mentorship: Meaningful one-on-one relationship with an experienced mentor

All college students interested in Taiwanese American issues — regardless of previous political experience, major, or career goals — may apply. Applicants must be either enrolled in an undergraduate program of an accredited college or university at the time of application or scheduled to be enrolled in an undergraduate program of an accredited college or university in Fall 2018.

2018 Political Internship Program Key Dates (June 9 to August 11, 2018)

June 9-10, 2018: Mandatory orientation

June 11, 2018: 1st day of internship

July 7, 2018: Mid-term Review

August 3-4, 2018: 2nd Annual Taiwanese American Film Festival

August 6-8, 2018: Sacramento Advocacy Trip

August 11, 2018: Closing Ceremonies

*Alternative internship start and end dates are available for students on the quarter system. Please e-mail internship@tacl.org for specific questions regarding scheduling.

2018 PIP Application

Apply By Clicking Here

Application Checklist:

  • Completed online application
  • Two letters of reference
  • Most recent transcript
  • Resume/CV
  • Writing Sample (1-5 pages, double-spaced, open topic)

DEADLINE: All application materials are due to internship@tacl.org by Sunday, February 25, 2018, 11:59 PM PST  -> Sunday, March 11, 2018, 11:59 PM PST. 

Interviews

Within 2 weeks after the application deadline, successful applicants will receive an e-mail to schedule 45-minute online interviews via Google Hangout or Skype.

Offers

Final offers will be announced in late March/early April. The placement process will begin after the offer has been accepted.

Placements

Placements are largely determined based on interns’ summer housing accommodations. We will take into consideration interns’ political affiliations/beliefs, but cannot guarantee placement in a specific office or with a specific political party. Placements range from the local district offices of locally elected city and county officials to state legislature and federal representatives.

*Applicants who have formally accepted an offer with TACL and withdraw once the placement process has begun are ineligible to reapply for the program for one full year.

GOT QUESTIONS?

E-mail Jeff Shieh, Political Internship Program Director, at internship@tacl.org.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Each participant is responsible for their own transportation and housing during the program.
  • Transportation and housing costs for the mandatory orientation retreat and Sacramento lobbying trip will be subsidized.
  • Participants will not receive compensation from the participating offices.
  • A stipend of up to $1,500 from TACL may be granted dependent upon successful completion of the internship.

Click on the following link for the PIP 2018 Flyer.