Summer 2023 DNC Tech Team Internship

Welcome to the DNC Technology Internship Application! 

The DNC Technology department is accepting applications for our Spring 2023 Internship Program. This is a separate application from the General DNC Internship Application because it requires specific experience. We are accepting applications for internships on two teams within our Technology department: 1) The Software Engineering team 2)The IT (Information Technology & HelpDesk) team. Please select below which team you are interested in!

Interning at DNC Tech is a unique opportunity for future leaders and civic technologists to gain real life, hands-on experience in Democratic political technology, learn and experience industry software engineering processes and/or expert information technology and support processes, strengthen understanding of the political process, and prepare for future career opportunities.

The program will run from Monday, June 6, 2023 to Friday, August 11, 2023 and can be conducted in in-person, hybrid, or remote format. Interns who are based in the Washington D.C. area will have an opportunity to perform in-person work for the DNC at the Democratic National Headquarters and DNC events. You must be located in the United States to apply for this internship. 

The DNC Internship Program provides a stipend of $3,000. Housing is not provided. During the upcoming term, interns are expected to work 20 hours per week. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2023.

NOTE: The Software Engineering team at the DNC is a fully remote team. Tech Interns may work from any contiguous US time zone. If working from AK or HI, you must be able to work during either Pacific, Mountain, Central, or Eastern time working hours. You will arrange a schedule with a supervisor. Software Engineering Technology interns still have the opportunity to choose among in-person, hybrid, or remote work like every DNC intern, but be aware that your supervisor and mentors will likely be remote.

About the team:The DNC Technology department (aka DNC Tech) is a small, collaborative, multi-disciplinary tech team – we provide the tech foundation for Democratic politics. You can learn more about the team HERE. We build tools and applications that help to elect Democrats year over year.

Our work is an incredibly important background part of running successful Democratic campaigns around the country, including:

- ensuring permissions and onboarding/offboarding work properly and that our data and tools are secure,

- ensuring we have accurate, accessible data,

- building tools so that people working hard on campaigns and in other political roles can save time and energy,

- making it possible for those with voter protection expertise to share accurate information about how to vote,

- supporting people throughout the Democratic ecosystem with secure hardware, software, device management and other technology problems,

… and much more.

Position Summary:

As an intern with DNC Tech, you will work on a project or projects designed to support the work of the overall Tech team and your own skills and experience. You will build your skills as a technology professional, in either software engineering or information technology. You will participate in team meetings and work closely with mentor(s). In addition to working on project/s, you may work on a variety of additional tasks relevant to the team you’re interning with.  As an intern with DNC Tech, you’ll learn a lot about the interesting ways in which technology impacts politics.

As part of the internship program, you will also be expected to assist the DNC Operations team by attending weekly phone shifts and any mandatory onboarding/offboarding sessions. 

In addition, through the internship program, you will have opportunities to participate in grassroots organizing, assist at DNC functions, receive personal development training, and network with DNC leadership and staff.

• You’re willing to learn new things, and you feel comfortable learning and problem-solving on your own, with guidance from a mentor.

• You enjoy problem-solving and have strong communication skills.

• You are excited to learn about the ways that tech can support Democratic politics, and to work on things that help others.

• You have previous experience in politics, e.g. using Votebuilder, or volunteering for a Democratic campaign. (This is NOT required.)

• You have completed at least a semester, ideally two semesters, of computer programming-related courses, OR have equivalent experience. We expect interns on the Software Engineering team to have done some computer programming previously.

• Our team uses a lot of Python (Django), JavaScript/TypeScript (React), and SQL, but it is okay if you’ve never used one of those before, as long as you have some programming experience. If you’ve used one of: Java, C++, C, Ruby, Python, JavaScript, or something else similar to one of those, we encourage you to apply!

• You have at least an entry-level skill-set in using MacBooks, Google Suite applications, and knowledge of basic cyber-security standards prior to beginning an IT internship. 

• Our team constantly has to adapt to industry changes that happen almost daily – therefore, having a passion for technology and industry related news is preferred, but not required.

• In your essay response or cover letter:

• Tell us why do you want to intern here, specifically?

• Tell us about a time you solved a problem or learned something new. (Briefly - 1 paragraph or less is fine!)

• Share in your resume or cover letter what software / technology / programming skills and experiences you have. 

• What are the titles of a couple relevant classes you’ve taken?

• What technology-related project/s (ex. an assignment from a class) have you worked on? This information helps us determine whether we have a project that will match your experience and interest.

• For example – If you are interested in the Software Engineering team, what programming language(s) have you used before?

• Applicants must be 18 years of age on or before the first day of the internship and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university (two-to-four year institution). It is highly recommended that applicants complete at least one full term prior to submitting an application.

• Graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university (two-to-four year institution) no more than two years before the first day of the internship.

• A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty, for any length of time, in the two years preceding the first day of the internship.

• Commitment of 20 hours per week during the program

• Physically present in the United States to participate in this internship program

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Essay Response

• References

Due to the volume of applications, we cannot review additional materials sent outside of the application form. All applicants must complete the application to be considered. To ensure you have the most recent information, we encourage you to read our FAQ page before reaching out with questions. If you have a specific question, please email us at [email protected].

The Democratic National Committee (DNC), is committed to diversity among its interns. The DNC internship program is provided on an equal opportunity basis without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The DNC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the application process and during the internship, as required by applicable law. The DNC will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.

The DNC requires all employees to be "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccination status as prescribed by the CDC as a condition of employment, unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law. If you seek a reasonable accommodation in relation to the DNC’s COVID-19 policy, you should speak to the HR team prior to reporting to an office location.