NYC Mayor's Office Internship Program for High School Students—8 Reasons to Apply
Every high schooler interested in law and public service should consider public office internship opportunities to gain exposure to how the legal and political system works and to significantly strengthen their college applications. Participation in such programs shows initiative and responsibility and is tangible proof of your commitment to public service.
Such internships give you hands-on experience and valuable insights into how governance and law actually work. Applying to programs like the New York City Mayor’s Office Internship Program can make you stand out to admissions officers by highlighting your engagement with important civic issues and your interest in government processes.
What is the NYC Mayor's Office Internship Program?
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program provides you with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in public service and government operations over a three-month-long multifaceted internship. This program is a great opportunity if you’re interested in learning how your local government works and contributing to the city’s improvement.
As an intern, you’ll work in one of the many units of the Mayor's Office, supporting key initiatives and policy development. The program's goal is to help you understand how municipal government functions while fostering leadership, collaboration, and analytical skills. Through project work, government engagement, and active public service, you will learn about public policy, community outreach, and the inner workings of city agencies, all while contributing to projects that have a direct impact on New York City residents.
How is the internship structured?
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program is divided into three major components:
Work Assignment: This is the core of your internship, where you'll be placed in a specific unit within the Mayor's Office. Your daily tasks will involve collaborating with city officials, researching policies, and contributing to ongoing projects. Depending on your placement, you might work on communications, policy analysis, or community outreach.
Government Engagement: Beyond your work in a specific unit, the program emphasizes interaction with government officials and agencies. You'll attend seminars, workshops, and meetings where city leaders like Deputy Mayors, Commissioners, and Program Directors discuss current issues and initiatives. This component helps you understand the broader workings of the city's administration and its impact on public policy.
Service Project: In addition to your work assignment, interns are required to complete a service project. This project is meant to foster a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. You'll collaborate with fellow interns on initiatives that benefit the local community, such as organizing events or conducting outreach programs. The service project allows you to directly impact the city while honing your teamwork and leadership skills.
Throughout the program, mentorship plays a critical role. You'll receive guidance from experienced professionals in your assigned unit, helping you navigate your responsibilities and maximize your learning. The program is based in one of the many units in the Mayor’s Office of New York City, and you will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
There are no fewer than 35 Mayoral units carrying out the responsibilities of the NYC Mayor’s Office, and you can choose to pursue an internship in any one of them. Here’s what a few of the options are like:
Office of Climate & Environmental Justice: Focuses on NYC’s sustainability initiatives, tackling climate change, reducing emissions, and ensuring environmental justice for underserved communities.
Office of Correspondence: Handles official communications between the public and the Mayor, responding to public inquiries and managing feedback.
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs: Advocates for immigrant communities, providing resources and ensuring equitable access to city services.
Office of International Affairs: Manages NYC’s relationships with international organizations and foreign governments, fostering global partnerships.
Office of Operations: Streamlines and improves the efficiency of city services, ensuring that municipal functions run smoothly.
Public Design Commission: Ensures high standards of design in public spaces and infrastructure projects, reviewing plans and promoting innovative public design solutions.
Each unit will provide you with a different perspective on how the city functions and teach you different aspects of public policy and governance, allowing you to tailor your internship to your interests.
The internship offers two options for duration:
The summer terms run from June – August.
The fall/spring terms run from September – April.
Is it prestigious?
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program is highly selective, making it an excellent addition to your academic profile. Being chosen for this program is prestigious due to its competitive nature and the exposure it provides to high-level government operations. You will have the opportunity to network with city officials and experienced professionals and gain an advanced understanding of public service and policy. If you want to pursue a career in government, law, or public policy, this experience can serve as a stepping stone for future opportunities in public service.
Who is eligible to apply?
The program has specific eligibility requirements, which are slightly different depending on whether you’re applying to the summer term or the fall/spring term:
You must be a high school student aged 16 years or older
You need to have current working papers or an employment certification at the time of application
If you’re applying to the fall/spring term program, you also need to be a New York City resident
How does the application process work?
To apply to the NYC Mayor’s Office Internship, you need to fill out an online application. Hiring managers review your application and conduct an interview for shortlisted candidates. The deadlines differ depending on whether you’re applying for the summer term or the fall/spring term. For the 2024-2025 fall/spring term, the deadlines were as follows:
Application opens: August 5, 2024
Application deadline: August 23, 2024
Internship decision: August 30, 2024
Fall/spring term duration: October 31, 2024 – April 11, 2025
8 reasons to apply to the NYC Mayor's Office Internship Program
You will experience hands-on governanceYou’ll get the chance to work directly with government officials, contributing to real policy decisions and understanding how city governance works.
There are dozens of opportunities availableWith multiple units available, you can explore different areas of public service, whether you're interested in criminal justice, policy, or communications.
Excellent networking opportunitiesInterns meet and work with city leaders, which gives you the chance to expand your professional network and gain mentors in government.
Skill development is integrated into the curriculumVia the Government Engagement part of the program, you’ll develop valuable skills like leadership, collaboration, and public communications, that are applicable in many fields beyond government.
It’s a prestigious programBeing accepted into this competitive program demonstrates your commitment to civic engagement and is a significant benefit for your college applications.
You’ll get insight into public policyYou’ll gain a deep understanding of how policies are shaped and implemented, which can inspire future academic or career choices in law or public policy.
It’s a good way to contribute to your communityInterning at the Mayor’s Office allows you to have a real impact on the city by contributing to initiatives that improve the lives of New Yorkers, especially through the service project.
It prepares you for future careersThe experience in law, public policy, and governance along with the skill development and community contributions make this internship a potential launchpad for your future. All the experience and skills you learn are crucial for most careers you might want to pursue, whether in public administration or elsewhere.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.