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The best part of my experience in Hawaii was undoubtedly being able to engage with the girls I worked with one-on-one. While I met with the girls in a group of 10 to run the program every day, I had opportunities to spend time with them individually before and after. I still keep in contact with the majority of the girls through e-mail, and their continued eagerness to discuss some of the very topics we covered in the “Smart Girls” program I ran proves to me the importance of mentorship. I also can’t emphasize enough how wonderful the staff the way. They went out of their way to invite me along to do activities with them- trips around the island, picnics, etc. Having done other internships before, I also appreciated how much responsibility they gave me. I was encouraged to design my own program and club activities, not simply instructed what to do. I really think that being able to take such initiative as a college intern is unique
IGS works with a number of local political operatives eager to have you in their corner, depending on the time of year, will depend on the options available. For example, this summer, a democratic state senator in Hawaii is looking for an IGS intern to assist with his re-election campaign. In the fall we have a New Zealand City Council that needs an IGS intern to document board meetings for the local newspaper. In Fiji, there is an opportunity to live with and chronicle the daily work of a village headman. That work will translate into a series of articles about Fijian politics. In Thailand, a local television station is looking for an intern to cover local politics and assist in the production political trends and events. In Australia, a grass-roots organization needs assistance with its effort to curb illegal activities on the Great Barrier Reef inculcating illegal anchorage practices. In Washington DC, an environmentalist lobbyist group needs an intern to assist on a campaign to prevent the passage of a bill that would damage the National Forests.
Our politics and government internships are designed based on the needs and interests of the intern. As you can see, we have a wide range of contacts from school boards to state governments to environmental activist groups.
We take your Statement of Interest that you prepare and then conduct a full interview on the phone with you to discuss your vision for the type of political action or governance you are most interested in. We then present you with the options that may work for you. Many are not listed on the site but can be contacted to match them with your interest and location.
We work with both law students and undergraduates considering a career in a law related field. We have three tracts available.
TRACK ONE: Working with a sitting judge allows an intern to see the judicial process from the inside out. The main duties working for a judge and a Law Clerk are research oriented. When a judge issues an opinion, it is the staff that assists in the research and writing of the opinion for the benefit of both the defendant and prosecution and the public at large. You will consult the law library as well as public domain for materials that will support the judge’s decisions. In addition, there are numerous other pedestrian tasks that go on with the day to day running of a courthouse. There are motions to consider, pre-trial prep work, post-trial filings, a whole range of activities.
TRACK TWO: Working for a private law firm provides a fresh angle on the law process. This provides a glimpse into how the private sector operates within the law to both serve clients as well as to make a profit. Working for a law firm may allow one a greater opportunity to pursue specific issues is they social, environmental, or corporate that are of individual interest. You will have the opportunity to sit in on client interviews, assist in evidence recovery, and participate in the marketing process to gain new clients.
TRACK THREE: Working for the legal department in a special interest group is a great way to learn the legal process and advocate change that you believe in. We work with organizations that promote women’s rights, environmental protection, the public good, animal rights, children’s rights among others. Some of these groups have a large legal staff working to promote their agenda including lobbyists in DC. Others are more grass roots and use the legal process as private citizens.
Many judicial law clerks had one or two judicial internships while they were in law school. Judges also frequently hire previous judicial interns as judicial law clerks once these judicial interns finish their law school education. Among the most prestigious judicial internships are those in the federal courts and in a state’s highest court. Working as a judicial intern at any level of government is usually a means for a law student to gain practical legal experience and familiarity with the court operations. Judicial law clerk positions are significantly more competitive and prestigious than judicial internship positions. Federal judicial clerkships require an intensive application process that is extremely competitive, as there are only a little over 1,200 federal clerkship positions at any one time for all law school graduates. However, similar to a judicial clerkship, a judicial internship can also open up many career opportunities. A judicial intern’s selection process is similar, though less competitive, to judicial clerkship positions. Grades, class ranking, and relevant extracurricular activities such as membership in the law school’s law review or being a member of the law school’s Moot Court Board are usual and important criteria in selecting a judicial intern.
A judicial extern or extern law clerk are other titles that are commonly used for a judicial intern. The American Bar Association Section of Litigation accepts judicial internship applications annually.
The Hawaii State Courts are a great place to get an introduction to the legal system. We work in courts in several different levels of the judiciary including county and state positions. As well as performing in-court duties, we have options to work outside of or alongside the courts supporting the community in legal matters.
There is some flexibility to combine in job duties and we will match your skill set to the options available.
Some specific areas of involvement include:
Kid’s First
Kid’s First, an education program for families going through divorce, needs caring and reliable people to facilitate children’s groups. Facilitators must be good communicators, get along well with children (ages 6 to 17) and be able to volunteer for two (2) hours during one evening each month. If you are interested in becoming a Kids First facilitator, please contact one of the program coordinators listed below.
Project Visitation
Project Visitation helps to maintain the relationship between siblings who are living in separate foster homes by bringing them together for monthly visitations. Social workers refer cases of separated foster siblings to the program.
Child Advocacy
Trained interns appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a child abuse or neglect case. Must be at least 20 years old: serve as fact-finders, advocates, and monitors for children in need.