Students contribute in meaningful ways to public service work through the Wallerstein Scholars program, the 22nd Century Scholars program, and a variety of internship opportunities.
Through the PhD Plus internship program and graduate research positions, UVA students gain practical experience and discover avenues in public service that can lead to future careers.
Apply now to one of our undergraduate or graduate public service internships.
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The Weldon Cooper Center provides undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on, policy-relevant internships in public service, both within the Center and in organizations throughout the Commonwealth. By introducing students to careers in public service, we help shape the next generation of leaders. Students can engage with the Center through a variety of programs—PhD Plus, Wallerstein Scholars, the 22nd Century Scholars, and additional internships through our Center and UVA’s Internship Placement Program.
Alex Watkins, Researcher
Alex worked in the Center for Economic & Policy Studies as a researcher. He contributed to a range of projects from assisting with a report on how Virginia can use smart grid technology to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, to helping build a database to track how state dollars are spent, to managing the Energy Transition Initiative website.
“Bill and his team are brilliant, and are at the forefront of the climate change discussion. Their work is actively shaping Virginia’s move toward net zero carbon emissions, and it’s awesome to be a part of that.”
student stories
Learn more about what it is like to serve as an intern at the Weldon Cooper Center by reading the stories of students who have worked with us.