Commonwealth Relations

Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) Internship

I. General Description

Student interns are employed on a full-time or part-time basis in the LORL office in an attempt to provide undergraduate or graduate students field-learning experiences for the integration of their classroom theory (principles) and practice. The LORL office introduces internships basically as credit-earning student experiences within the intern's academic institution. Interns serve as resources in various assignments related to LORL's inquiry response activity. LORL is a legislative service agency involved in the political process, and as such, the employment of student interns is an outlet for student service that takes education beyond the classroom into the practitioner's world. While providing students with practical experience in the legislative process, the LORL staff desires to provide learning experiences for persons willing to pursue careers in public service at the state level. All internships must be credit bearing.

II. Examples of Work

Work on specific inquiries or projects related to the LORL operations.
Assisting LORL's Visiting Scholars on specific legislative inquiries or projects.
Opportunity to observe and work with state employees in different roles to gain understanding of the human and dynamic process of government.
Attend LORL staff meetings.
Preparation of research memoranda on various topics.
Discussing, interacting and being directly involved with LORL staff on intermediate to long-term research activities.
Bibliographic searches.
Exposure to technical information gathering/dissemination activities from initiation to implementation.
Opportunity to visit various legislative and executive offices within the Capitol Complex to develop an understanding of the interdependence of state government.
Assisting LORL Research Analysts in a variety of activities including bill analysis, interpretation of data, etc.

III. Required Knowledge

Skills and Activities Student interns are expected to have a high level of communication skill, both oral and written, an ability to interact with persons from wide-ranging backgrounds and with diverse political persuasions, and a working knowledge of the Pennsylvania legislative process. Computer literacy is highly desirable. In addition, through college course work or through work experience, each intern is expected to demonstrate ability to work with highly technical public policy issues involving components in the life, physical and social sciences. Full-time or part-time placements are available, but the duration of an internship and the number of working hours in a typical week can vary to meet the student's and/or university's needs.

IV. Minimum Experience and Training

Undergraduate and graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines are invited to apply for LORL intern assignments. While students with at least "B" averages are most desirable, the ability to adapt information to the situation and to form personal relationships in a new environment is a critical quality of each intern. All interns must be residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university.

V. Applications

All prospective student interns or co-ops must complete an application form and it is recommended that these be submitted to LORL by the following deadlines:

Summer Semester - March 15
Fall Semester - July 15
Winter/Spring Semester - October 15

Contact

For more information, contact:

Dr. Michael R. King
Executive Director, Legislative Office for Research Liaison
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
House Box 202218
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2218
(717) 787-8948
Fax: (717) 783-3485
LORL@legis.state.pa.us