Internships

There are a wide variety of long-term projects that Georgetown students may be involved in. For some, like externships, students are compensated for their time with academic credit. For others, like summer internships, students are compensated for their time by a stipend. (Some portions of such projects may be considered pro bono work. Please refer to the Pro Bono Pledge Requirements to determine whether you have earned pro bono credit for a particular paid or credited project.) Pro bono work, on the other hand, is uncompensated. Pro bono internships are unpaid projects which generally require a commitment of 8-15 hours a week for most of a semester. Students are likely to work at an organization or agency doing a variety of tasks as assigned under the supervision of one or several attorneys.

For first-year students, pro bono opportunities are available through the 1L Pro Bono Project. For upper-class students, there are two internship databases that provide a good place to start your search:

• Symplicity—This site lists online announcements for academic year and summer paid and unpaid internships. The listings in Symplicity have been sent to Georgetown by employers activity recruiting for the semester or the summer. (Note: 1Ls will not be able to look at Symplicity internship listings until on or about November 1^st.) When you log onto the site, select the "Jobs" tab, then click "More Options." A field labeled "Pro Bono Eligible" will be added to the form. Select "Yes" from its pulldown menu.

• PSJD (formerly PSLawNet)—This site lists online announcements for academic year and summer paid and unpaid internships with domestic and international non-profits (NGOs) and government agencies. In addition, PSJD is a great site for identifying organizations that engage in the type of work in which you are interested. To access the PSJD listings you will need to create a user name and password the first time you visit the site.

Keep in mind that these databases are only a starting point. There are a large number of organizations engaged in work that might be of interest to you that don't utilize job listing databases or go through Georgetown to recruit for their open positions. If you don't feel drawn to any of the positions listed online, or if you are passionate about an issue that is not covered by these sources, please contact OPICS to make an appointment with the Director of Pro Bono Programs. She has experience working with local organizations and agencies and has contacts with the large network of alumni working in the DC metro area, and she can help you find a placement that is a good match for you and the organization.