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Summer Internship Program

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey through the inner workings of city government? 

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The City of Boston Summer Internship Program invites motivated, service-driven individuals to dive into the fascinating world of municipal government. This is more than just a summer internship, it's an opportunity to launch your career while making a real difference in the communities where we work, live, and play.

We are not currently accepting applications. Please check back in january 2026 for details about next summer’s program.

 

Our Summer Intern Experience

Our Summer Interns at Work

SIP 2025 Polaroid Memories _Large

This summer, we welcomed a dynamic cohort of interns to the City of Boston—undergraduate and graduate students representing over 15 colleges and universities, from local institutions like Boston University and UMass Amherst to programs across the country. Through partnerships with community organizations and national fellowship programs, these students brought a range of lived experiences, academic backgrounds, and professional goals to city government.

Interns were placed across more than 20 departments and offices, working on projects related to economic opportunity, education, housing, language access, sustainability, communications, equity, and more. Whether stationed at City Hall, the Bolling Building, or 1010 Mass Ave, our interns played an essential role in advancing the City’s mission and engaging directly with Boston residents.

This year’s expanded Professional Development Program offered interns a four-part workshop series designed to explore public service careers, build workplace skills, and strengthen networks. Interns also participated in a collaborative Summer Group Project, researching City initiatives and proposing creative ways to share these programs with broader audiences. Together, they explored what it means to serve—and how their voices can shape the future of local government.

SIP City Hall 1

THIS SUMMER, OUR INTERNS:

  • Helped roll out TranslateLive devices across City departments by creating flyers, how-to videos, and training materials
  • Created a language access hub page dedicated to communication-related disabilities
  • Researched alternative funding strategies for Boston Public Schools and built a tailored funding model
  • Drafted memo and fee structure options to improve Plaza rental processes and increase revenue
  • Supported the Boston Reads literacy initiative, publishing “Story Stop” pages on Boston.gov
  • Managed social media and external messaging for BCYF Creates and youth sports directories
  • Produced 17 neighborhood newsletters in collaboration with community liaisons
  • Assisted in flag raisings and delegation visits, capturing photography and managing event logistics
  • Built an internal Citywide partnership database to strengthen institutional collaborations
  • Created and organized grant tracking tools, special events permitting reports, and leasing compliance systems
  • Conducted waste diversion policy research, benchmarking best practices from other cities
  • Supported Youth Speaks Boston research through transcription and thematic analysis of focus groups
  • Assisted constituents and researched policy topics in a City Council office
  • Attended and supported community block parties, helping hundreds of residents access City resources
  • Developed creative content and communications strategies in the Equity & Inclusion Cabinet
  • Organized directories, branding, and outreach materials for citywide public art and youth engagement programs
  • Created year-over-year application growth reports and automated workflows in the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs & Licensing

And so much more!

Program Details

INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES

Internships provide hands-on work responsibilities in a variety of City departments. You’ll work on real projects, solve hard problems, and gain valuable feedback along the way. 

Here are just a few of the ways summer interns contribute to our City of Boston teams:

  • Creating presentations, drafting reports and informational materials;
  • Designing content for social and digital media channels;
  • Compiling research and analyzing data;
  • Providing direct assistance to constituents in need;
  • Supporting and participating in special events and community meetings;
  • Designing marketing and promotional materials for print and digital use; and
  • Supporting the department’s administrative functions.

INTERN Qualifications

This application process is competitive as we have limited internship positions available. We seek candidates who meet the following qualifications:

  • Are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or have 2 - 4 years of post-secondary school work experience;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Ability to collaborate with individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives;
  • Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines; and
  • A demonstrated interest in serving the community and a willingness to learn and take initiative.
Boston residency is required.
If you are selected for the Summer Internship Program, you must provide proof of residency within the City limits by the first day of your internship. Learn more about residency requirements for City workers.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application window for the 2025 Summer Internship Program cycle is now closed. 

The application form requires you to:

  1. Create an account on our Career Center OR log into a previously created account.
  2.  Upload a current resume along with a cover letter responding to the prompt written in the job description. Please be sure to carefully review the Minimum Entrance Qualifications to ensure your application is complete and eligible for consideration.
  3. Answer person and job-specific screening questions, including information about your academic institution and educational background.

Please note that the application includes an optional section for you to share demographic information and languages spoken, which will help us understand our audience better and ensure a diverse and inclusive experience; this section will not impact the evaluation of your application.

SELECTION PROCESS

APPLICATION REVIEW

The Office of Human Resources will review all submissions to ensure each candidate meets the internship qualifications. Special consideration will be given to graduates of Boston Public Schools and Community Colleges, aligning with our commitment to nurturing local talent.

SCREENING CALL

Candidates who meet our criteria will be contacted by HR for an initial screening call. This is a chance for us to learn more about your interests, experiences, and suitability for the program.

Virtual Group Interview

A competitive number of finalists with strong skills and experience match will be invited to a virtual group interview, allowing for a dynamic interaction and a deeper insight into each candidate's capabilities and potential fit within the program.

Cohort Selection and Placement

HR will select the final cohort based on the interviews, curating a diverse and talented group ready to embark on this enriching experience. Selected interns will be thoughtfully matched with City departments, considering their skills, interests, and the specific needs of each department.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Click on the link above to be taken to the job posting on our Career Center. Review the job description carefully, ensuring you follow all steps necessary to complete your application. Click the blue "Apply for this job" button to begin your application. After completing each step, click "Submit" to finalize your application.

You do not have to be a current resident of the City of Boston to apply. However, all interns must be residents of Boston and provide proof of residency within City limits by May 30, 2025. Further details about residency requirements are available here.

 

This year’s internship program runs from June 2, 2025, to August 15, 2025. Interns must commit to participating until at least August 8, 2025, though it is preferred that interns complete all 11 weeks of the program.

Yes, interns are paid an hourly wage. However, they are not eligible for employee benefits (health insurance, transit benefits, etc).

The internship program is designed to provide hands-on experience. Interns are expected to report to their assigned office for the duration of the program. However, the intern’s department and manager/supervisor may approve requests to work remotely as needed per the City of Boston’s Hybrid Work policy.

 

This is a full-time internship opportunity and interns will be scheduled to work 35 hours per week. Please make any schedule preferences known as soon as possible, in case these can be accommodated based on department needs.

Printable Resources

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