NC College Students Begin 10-Week State Government Program 91 students will spend summer working in state government

Today, 91 students will embark on a 10-week educational internship experience at a North Carolina state government agency. This year’s State of North Carolina Internship Program class were chosen from a pool of 4,913 applicants, one of the highest numbers in recent years. Noted as one of state government’s most competitive summer enrichment opportunities, this year, the program features 81 projects ranging from business management to marine fisheries, offering students hands-on practical work experience in the career field of their choice.

“It’s always exciting to see the growing number of college students interested in state government careers,” said NC Department of Administration’s Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza. “While this program is instrumental in developing professional development skills, the most valuable skill anyone can have in state government is the love of serving others. Being a public servant comes from the heart, and I am proud to know that these future professionals have a love for serving their communities and state.”

The State of North Carolina Internship program kicked off today with a virtual orientation where students learned about job expectations, enrichment opportunities and had the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session. The summer internships include both in-person and hybrid work environments.

Thirteen state agencies are offering internships in careers ranging from coastal reserve research to sea turtle conservation, construction engineering, procurement education, communications and public affairs, human resources, policy and advocacy, youth involvement outreach and economic development among others. In addition to gaining practical work experience, students will also tour various facilities to learn about other government operations and careers with the state.

Coordinated by the Department of Administration’s Council for Women and Youth Involvement, the State of North Carolina Internship Program offers college students an opportunity to connect lessons learned in the classroom to potential career choices throughout the state. Established in 1969, the Internship Program has provided state government work opportunities to North Carolina residents attending college, university, technical or community college.

The highly competitive internship process begins each fall when the application period opens. Applicants are interviewed, selected and matched with agencies in the spring; a process that is overseen by the NC Internship Council. To learn more about the State of North Carolina Internship Program, visit the website.

*2026 Participating State Agencies: Administration (NCDOA), Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), Commerce, Environmental Quality (DEQ), General Assembly, Health and Human Services (DHHS), Judicial Branch, Labor (DOL), Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR), Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), Office of the Governor, and Public Safety (DPS). 

About NCDOA and the Division for Women and Youth 
The NC Department of Administration acts as the business manager for North Carolina state government. Under the leadership of Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza, the department oversees government operations and advocacy programs. The department's advocacy programs help to promote and assist diverse segments of the state's population that have been traditionally underserved. Part of the NCDOA, the North Carolina Division for Women and Youth’s mission is to advise the governor, state legislators and state leaders on issues impacting women and youth.