Internship Departments | The White House

Through work across more than twenty departments, White House interns provide critical support to the Biden-Harris Administration. Applicants are able to rank their preferred departments before submitting their application. More information on each department and the work they do can be found below.

These descriptions are intended for informational purposes only. Actual tasks and duties for interns may differ depending on the needs of the department. These descriptions do not necessarily reflect the structure of the White House Office or the Executive Office of the President, and placement in a particular department is not guaranteed and may be subject to change.

The Office of Cabinet Affairs

The Office of Cabinet Affairs is the primary liaison between the President and his Cabinet. The office coordinates communications, policy, and logistics between the White House and the Cabinet, as well as manages issues that affect multiple Federal agencies. Staff in the Office of Cabinet Affairs are in daily communication with Members of the Cabinet and senior agency staff. Interns will work with staff to facilitate the office’s daily operations.

The Office of Communications

The White House Office of Communications is responsible for promoting the President’s agenda by conducting national, regional, and coalition media campaigns to ensure his message is delivered clearly, accurately, and without distraction. The Communications team also coordinates with Cabinet agencies, other White House departments, and offices in Congress to create a cohesive strategy through which the Administration’s priorities can be disseminated to communities across the country. Interns will support the team by monitoring media, compiling coverage roundups, clipping and transcribing interviews, drafting releases, and assisting with special assignments as needed.

The Office of Digital Strategy

The Office of Digital Strategy (ODS) manages the President’s online communications across social media, digital influencers and creators, and creative production. ODS manages the White House Video Team and the Creative Design shop, as well as WhiteHouse.gov. The department also collaborates with other teams on digital initiatives, campaigns, and event coverage. Interns will work alongside staff members on social media management, social media monitoring, video production, and managing digital influencer and creator lists. Interns with creative skills can also be focused on their areas of specialty.

The Office of Domestic Climate Policy

The Office of Domestic Climate Policy (Climate Policy Office) implements the President’s domestic climate agenda, coordinating the all-of-government approach to tackle the climate crisis, create good-paying, union jobs, and advance environmental justice. Interns will work closely with the front office team to support the National Climate Advisor and also conduct background research for the team’s policy experts across all sectors of the economy.

The Domestic Policy Council

The Domestic Policy Council drives the formulation and implementation of the President’s domestic policy agenda and ensures coordination and communication among relevant federal offices and agencies. Interns will work closely with staff to conduct research and draft policy and communications materials on a wide range of issues, such as health care, education, immigration, housing, Native affairs, criminal justice, and many others.

The Office of the First Lady

The Office of the First Lady supports Dr. Jill Biden’s work as First Lady of the United States, which includes supporting military families, advocating for increased educational opportunities, and working to end cancer as we know it. The Office of the First Lady includes the White House Social Office, which is responsible for official events hosted by the President and First Lady in the White House. Interns will work with staff members on communications, policy, scheduling and advance, correspondence, and speechwriting. Interns may also support the White House Social Office.

The Gender Policy Council

The Gender Policy Council (GPC) coordinates domestic and foreign policy development on a range of issues related to advancing gender equity and equality, such as women’s economic security, equal pay and workplace discrimination, reproductive rights and maternal health, peace and security, political participation, and gender-based violence, including domestic violence and online harassment and abuse. Interns will work closely with GPC staff to assist with issue-specific research, coordinate policy meetings, and support the office’s operations.

The Office of Implementation

The White House Office of Implementation is responsible for putting the President’s historic Investing in America Agenda into action. The team partners with government agencies, teams across the White House and external partners to implement the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. Interns will work alongside staff members to deliver meaningful outcomes for Americans across the country and to amplify the impact of these investments across various media channels. Interns will support operations, data, research and external affairs for this agile team.

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs leads the Administration’s engagement with state and local leaders and Tribal and territory governments on a wide variety of policies and priorities. Interns will work alongside staff to build and maintain relationships with elected officials around the country. Interns will also support day-to-day outreach efforts, such as: communications to elected leaders, planning and convening leaders on policy issues, drafting memos and meeting materials, monitoring state and local legislation or announcements, supporting amplification of Administration announcements, and meeting and coordinating with relevant White House offices regarding engagement with elected officials. Desired characteristics of interns include accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and needs.

The Office of Legislative Affairs

The Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) is the White House’s voice on the Hill. Every day, the Legislative Affairs team is on the front lines, working with Senators, Representatives, and their staffs to promote the President’s priorities. In partnership with other entities in the White House, OLA works to plan and execute Member engagement on campus. Interns will work alongside staff members in the Senate and House liaison offices by helping notify Senators and Representatives about Administration initiatives, assisting with research on legislation and floor activity, and staffing legislative events.

The Office of Management and Administration

The Office of Management and Administration (M&A) is the operational backbone of the White House – fulfilling a function most similar to that of a Chief Operating Officer for a campus that includes a national park, a private residence, and the working office of the President. M&A oversees White House operations, finance, personnel (including diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives), and technology, and it is responsible for ensuring both that White House staff have what they need to deliver on the President’s agenda and that campus operations function in a manner reflective of the Administration’s values. Interns will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the “‘engine”’ of the White House, supporting office operations for M&A teams, and providing logistical support for campus operations.

The National Economic Council

The National Economic Council (NEC) advises the President on his economic agenda and policy objectives. The NEC has four key functions: to coordinate policy-making for domestic and international economic issues, to give economic policy advice to the President, to ensure that policy decisions and programs are consistent with the President’s economic goals, and to monitor implementation of the President’s economic policy agenda. Interns will work with NEC staff on a wide range of issue items, including infrastructure, supply chains, competition, research and development, small business, financial regulation, housing, competition, and fiscal policy.

The Office of Political Strategy and Outreach

The Office of Political Strategy and Outreach (OPSO) serves as a vital liaison to outside groups at the state and national level. OPSO develops strategies to achieve and uplift the Administration’s priorities, while engaging with external stakeholders, supporters, and constituent groups. OPSO helps coordinate the President, Vice President, First Lady, and Second Gentleman’s official and political engagements, supports the President’s domestic travel priorities, oversees invitations for events on the White House grounds, and serves as an important partner to labor leaders, organization leaders, political leaders, and state-based leaders. Interns will work directly alongside staff to build and maintain relationships with these external stakeholders through day-to-day outreach, plan the President’s trips across the country, and help with convening constituent groups for on-campus activities.

The Office of Presidential Correspondence

The Office of Presidential Correspondence (OPC) plays a key role in amplifying the voices of the American people directly to the President. OPC responds to letters, emails, and gifts, and also works across digital channels and with White House speechwriting, policy, and communications teams to help tell the story of the Administration’s impact on the lives of people across the nation. Interns will respond to incoming correspondence, send greetings to commemorate special life milestones, and channel people’s requests for assistance throughout the federal government.

The Office of Presidential Personnel

With the goal of creating an Administration that looks like America and serves all Americans, the Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO) helps President Biden recruit and select over 4,000 highly-qualified political appointees across the U.S. government. PPO recommends senior-level candidates for the President to nominate for Senate confirmation and also recruits, interviews, vets, and selects thousands of junior and mid-level appointees and members of Presidential boards and commissions. PPO interns will help staff recruit, review and vet candidates, communicate with departments and agencies on personnel matters, and help ensure that the personnel priorities of the Administration are being addressed. Interns can expect to work closely with one of the many sub-teams within PPO such as agency hiring teams, candidate recruitment, leadership and development, vetting, or strategy and operations.

The Office of Public Engagement

The Office of Public Engagement (OPE) is responsible for creating and coordinating direct dialogue between the Biden-Harris Administration and the American public. OPE communicates with organizations, coalitions, and Americans from all backgrounds and at all levels to ensure community leaders, those with diverse perspectives, and new voices all have the opportunity to inform the work of the President. Interns will work alongside staff members to assist in building and maintaining relationships with organizations, expanding OPE’s reach, coordinating events, and assisting with office operations.

The Office of Scheduling and Advance

The Office of Scheduling and Advance is responsible for scheduling, planning, and executing the President’s events on campus, around the country, and around the world. Ensuring a successful Presidential meeting or event requires close coordination across White House offices and across outside entities. Interns will assist in the coordination of Presidential travel and events as well as managing incoming scheduling requests for the President.

The Office of Speechwriting

The Office of Speechwriting shapes the President’s message to the country, shares it across relevant components, and ensures it is consistently enforced in speeches and other content. The office is responsible for all of the President’s prepared remarks, from meeting cards to the State of the Union. The team’s work advances all of the President’s policy priorities, working cross-functionally with almost every team in the White House. Interns will learn about the presidential speechwriting process, from draft to delivery, and will support the speechwriters with research and team operations. Interns should expect to learn about a variety of policy areas and to hone effective and creative messaging skills. This is a good role for those interested in a career in writing, research, and storytelling.

The Office of the Vice President

The Office of the Vice President supports the Vice President’s work as “second in command” of the Executive branch and as President of the Senate. The Office focuses on a wide range of domestic, economic and national security policy issues, and also works with Members of the United States Congress to promote the Administration’s legislative priorities on Capitol Hill. Additionally, the Office of the Vice President handles all of the Vice President’s and Second Gentleman’s correspondence, operations, events, scheduling, and travel.

The following offices and departments within the Office of the Vice President provide internship opportunities:

Office of the Second Gentleman
Office of Management and Administration
Office of Advance
Office of Communications
Office of Counsel
Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs
Office of Scheduling
Office of Domestic Policy
Office of Legislative Affairs
Office of Correspondence

The Office of White House Counsel

The White House Counsel’s Office advises on legal aspects of the President’s agenda, serves as the White House point of contact for the Department of Justice, and handles matters including ethics and compliance, oversight and investigations, judicial nominations, and clemency. Law student interns (law clerks) will examine legal questions, conduct legal research and writing, and assist with office priorities. Undergraduate student interns will work on research projects and support the running of the office.

The White House Fellows Office

The White House Fellows program is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service, offering exceptional emerging leaders first-hand experience working at the highest levels of federal government. Interns will work alongside staff members to assist with many of the logistical aspects of the Fellows program, including planning and hosting events such as the Fellows’ Speakers Series, and supporting the recruiting and selection process. Interns will also help to build and maintain strong relationships with the Fellows.

The White House Photo Office

The White House Photo Office documents the day-to-day of the Administration. Along with photography, the Photo Office handles image requests, image editing and toning, printing, metadata organization, captioning, portraits, and building the photo library that will be given to the National Archives. Interns can expect to help with the daily processes of editing, toning, printing, distribution, and workflows to keep the office running. Those looking to build leadership skills in photography and photo journalism are encouraged to apply.

The White House Press Office

The White House Press Office strives to provide facts and information on the work that the Administration is doing through working with members of the press from around the world, while reflecting the President’s commitment to truth and transparency. Interns will work in different areas of the department, including national press, communications, and messaging. Interns should have an interest in media relations, strategic messaging, or political communications. Those with strong multi-tasking abilities, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm are encouraged to apply.

The White House Visitors Office

The White House Visitors Office welcomes the American people and citizens across the world to the White House. Through public tours and events, the Visitors Office aims to create a memorable and educational experience for all visitors as they view history firsthand. Interns will help execute public-facing events at the White House, learning the operations and strategy behind large-scale events – including the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, Spring and Fall Garden Tours, Fourth of July celebration, and the holiday season of events. Interns will help welcome guests, support VIPs on campus, and troubleshoot any potential issues. Candidates with great organization skills and event experience are encouraged to apply.

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