Cal-in-Sacramento is one of the University of California’s largest and most prestigious campus-based public service internship programs. For the past five decades, hundreds of Cal students have gone to Sacramento under our auspices to gain first-hand experience in the most dynamic state capital in the country. Many of these students have gone on to careers in politics, government, and public service.
Program Overview
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Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows enroll in a 3-unit course (PS 110B) during the spring semester.
- During the spring, as part of the 3-unit course, Fellows receive training in tools and methods that inform policy-focused research, culminating in a policy memo on a specific topic of their choice.
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Fellows move to Sacramento in late May and complete an 8-week summer internship in the offices of Senate and Assembly members, the Governor's Office, state agencies, think tanks, or nonprofit organizations.
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The program provides Fellows with free shared housing during the 8-week Sacramento residency, as well as a stipend to help cover relocation and living expenses. Funding for transportation, housing and living stipends is generously provided by PG&E and individual donors (including CIS alums!).
2024 Fellows at the California State Capitol
2024 Fellows attend the Cal-in-Sacramento class (PS 110B)
2023 Fellow Devyn Lopez with CA State Senator Susan Rubio
2023 Fellow Rosie Echeverria, Policy Intern in the Office of Asm. Wendy Carrillo
2024 Fellow Carlos Santana speaks before the CA State Assembly
2024 Fellow Laila Hamidi with CA State Asm. Alex Lee
2024 Fellow Samu García Durá (second from left) with California Research Bureau graduate interns
2024 Fellows Aiko Dabu and Noor Alramadan representing Cal
2024 Fellows and 2021 Cal-in-Sac alumnus Eric Furth at the June 2024 CAA Happy Hour
2024 Fellows with Matsui Center Director Dr. Christine Trost at the June 2024 CAA Happy Hour
Eligibility
- Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, including students who will graduate in May 2026, as well as transfer students. The program is no longer open to freshmen.
- Students from all academic fields are encouraged to apply.
- Students are required to enroll in a 3-unit course (PS 110B) during the spring semester and complete all course requirements as outlined in the syllabus.
- This is a fully in-person program; 2026 Fellows must be enrolled at UC Berkeley in Spring 2026.
Program Dates
Cal-in-Sacramento is a 7-month Fellowship (January to mid-July). During the spring semester, students receive academic instruction on topics related to California politics and policy, conduct research and develop a policy memo on a topic of their choice, and prepare for and apply to internships. During the summer, Fellows move to Sacramento to complete their summer internship.
| Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 |
|---|---|
| January 2026: PS 110B commences; 1-on-1 resume feedback | May 25, 2026: Move to Sacramento |
| February 2026: Apply to internships | May 26, 2026: Internships begin |
| March 13, 2026: Field trip to Sacramento for in-person interviews | July 17, 2026: Internships end |
| April 2026: Secure offers and commit to a summer internship placement | July 18, 2026: Move out of program housing in Sacramento |
Is this program right for me?
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Cal-in-Sacramento is designed for Berkeley students who are beginning their public service journey and are seeking additional career preparation through hands-on training and professional experience.
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Fellows receive highly structured support applying for internships. While Fellows can request to apply for an internship outside the Cal-in-Sacramento network, all internship sites must be negotiated and approved by the program staff, and Fellows are encouraged to work within the existing network.
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Fellows can intern in any non-partisan public service organization, including both government and non-government/non-profit organizations.