Program Basics
- 10-week summer program
- Over a dozen participating state agencies
- Interns paid $15 per hour, 40 hour work weeks
- Must be NC resident attending college
- Requires at least 2.5 GPA
- Students should coordinate with their institution if seeking academic credit
Key Dates
| Dec. 1, 2026 | Applications Open |
|---|---|
| Jan. 29, 2027 | Applications Close |
| March 4-12, 2027 | Applicant Interviews |
| March 15, 2027 | Intern Peference Forms Due |
| April 12-23, 2027 | Placement Offers Issued |
| May 17, 2027 | Intern Orientation |
| May 17 - July 23, 2027 | Internship Period |
Questions?
For assistance or information related to either the Lady Cardinal Program or the State of NC Internship program, please contact doa.youth.involvement@doa.nc.gov. A member of the Division for Women and Youth team will respond within 48 business hours.
About the State Internship Program
"For more than half a century, this program has been instrumental in nurturing the interest of North Carolina students in public service while also preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow." - DOA Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza
Interns work 40 hours a week for a 10-week period, earning $15 an hour. A number of agencies host interns each year, offering positions across the depth and width of NC.
Interns participate in meetings, educational tours and other activities in addition to work projects with their agency. Projects and interns are screened and selected by the North Carolina Internship Council in a highly competitive process.
The Internship Council reminds all applicants that the intent of the Internship Program is to provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn about public service professions.