You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Public Policy & Political Science Internship

Men's Health Network
Email

Gain firsthand experience at the intersection of public health, public policy, and government affairs while working with one of the nation's oldest nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families.

Men's Health Network (MHN) is seeking undergraduate and graduate students interested in public policy, political science, public administration, health policy, public health, law, communications, or related fields. This internship offers meaningful exposure to federal health policy, congressional advocacy, coalition engagement, legislative research, and nonprofit public affairs.

Interns work alongside MHN leadership on projects that support national health initiatives, congressional education efforts, public policy campaigns, and legislative outreach.

What You'll Do

Depending on organizational priorities and your interests, responsibilities may include:

Congressional & Public Policy

  • Research federal and state health policy issues affecting men, boys, and their families.
  • Monitor legislation, hearings, committee activity, and public policy developments.
  • Assist with Congressional Men's Health Caucus activities and educational outreach.
  • Prepare policy summaries, legislative briefs, fact sheets, talking points, and background materials.
  • Develop educational resources for Congressional offices and policymakers.
  • Assist with congressional office outreach and stakeholder engagement.
  • Attend Congressional hearings, briefings, coalition meetings, policy events, and educational forums throughout the Washington, D.C. region.
  • Support advocacy campaigns surrounding federal and state health legislation.

Health Policy Research

  • Conduct research on men's health policy, preventive health, mental health, chronic disease, cancer prevention, veterans' health, fatherhood, workplace health, health disparities, and related public health topics.
  • Analyze legislation, government reports, peer-reviewed literature, and policy documents.
  • Summarize research findings into accessible educational materials.
  • Identify emerging policy trends and opportunities that support evidence-based public health initiatives.

Coalition & Government Relations

  • Assist with coalition letters, policy statements, advocacy campaigns, and organizational sign-on efforts.
  • Support outreach with nonprofit organizations, healthcare associations, federal agencies, and advocacy partners.
  • Track legislative developments and stakeholder engagement.
  • Assist with relationship-building efforts among policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community organizations.

Communications & Policy Education

  • Write blog articles, policy updates, newsletters, issue briefs, educational materials, and legislative summaries.
  • Translate complex health policy topics into clear, public-friendly language.
  • Assist with presentations, briefing materials, and educational resources for policymakers and community audiences.
  • Support media and digital communications surrounding MHN's public policy initiatives.

Professional Development

  • Participate in weekly team meetings and project discussions.
  • Receive mentoring from nonprofit leaders with experience in public policy, advocacy, health communications, and coalition building.
  • Build a professional portfolio through meaningful research, writing, and policy projects.

Ideal Candidates

We're looking for students who are:

  • Pursuing a degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Health, Health Policy, Government, Law, Communications, Sociology, or a related field.
  • Strong writers with excellent research and analytical skills.
  • Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple projects.
  • Interested in healthcare policy, legislative affairs, public affairs, or nonprofit advocacy.
  • Comfortable working independently while collaborating with a small team.
  • Curious, motivated, and eager to contribute to meaningful public policy initiatives.

Preferred Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Research and analytical abilities
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Ability to synthesize complex information into concise summaries
  • Professionalism and attention to detail
  • Interest in government, legislation, healthcare, or public affairs

Previous policy experience is not required. We value curiosity, initiative, professionalism, and a willingness to learn.

What You'll Gain

This internship is designed to provide practical experience beyond the classroom. Interns have opportunities to:

  • Learn how health policy is developed, communicated, and advanced.
  • Observe the legislative process firsthand.
  • Attend Congressional hearings, briefings, and public policy events.
  • Develop professional research, policy analysis, and legislative writing skills.
  • Gain experience in government relations, coalition building, and nonprofit advocacy.
  • Contribute to national health education and policy initiatives.
  • Network with healthcare professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and public health advocates.
  • Strengthen a portfolio of policy briefs, research projects, presentations, educational resources, and published content.

Many former interns have gone on to careers in public health, medicine, law, public policy, government service, nonprofit leadership, and graduate education.

About Men's Health Network

Founded in 1992, Men's Health Network is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families through health education, public awareness, advocacy, research, and collaboration. MHN works with healthcare organizations, federal agencies, Congress, state governments, and community partners to advance evidence-based policies and programs that improve health outcomes across the lifespan.

This internship is unpaid and offered on a volunteer basis. Flexible scheduling is available, and college credit may be arranged through your academic institution. Interns primarily work from MHN's Alexandria, Virginia office, conveniently located near the King Street Metro station.

See Our Public Policy Work in Action

Learn more about the types of projects and events our interns help support:

These videos showcase the congressional briefings, bipartisan policy discussions, educational forums, and Capitol Hill events that are central to MHN's advocacy efforts and provide a glimpse into the hands-on experiences available to interns. During Men's Health Month 2026, MHN convened Members of Congress, healthcare leaders, researchers, and advocates for Capitol Hill events focused on strengthening men's health through education, prevention, research, and public policy. (tamh.menshealthnetwork.org)

 

--

By submitting your application through Handshake, you provide your expressed consent to receive email communications from Men’s Health Network. These communications may include outreach regarding interviews, organizational updates, newsletters to learn more about Men’s Health Network, and other job- or internship-related information. You may opt out of these email notifications at any time.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

At Men’s Health Network, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants will receive fair consideration for employment opportunities.

Nonprofit Internship Compliance Statement

Men’s Health Network complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines for unpaid internships. MHN’s internships are educational in nature, designed to provide meaningful, career-relevant experience under the close supervision of staff. Interns do not displace regular employees, and participation does not entitle interns to paid employment. This ensures compliance while providing an exceptional professional learning opportunity in the nonprofit advocacy space.