About the Program

The Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship is designed to train the next generation of public service leaders through a highly supportive and comprehensive approach to experiential learning.

Fellows develop critical skills and engage thoughtfully with key policy issues using a 3-pillar model, combining coursework, research training, and professional development. These components provide the foundation for the Cal-in-Sacramento capstone: the summer public service internship.

Coursework

All fellows are required to enroll in Political Science 110B in the spring semester of their Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship year.

  • This required course is designed to prepare Fellows for their summer internships. The course provides an introduction to California policymaking and government, including an examination of decision-makers, protocols, and policy-making dynamics in state government.

Woman stands a podium in front of an audience and speaks next to a screen;

  • Students receive training in tools and methods used for policy research, culminating in a policy memo on a topic of their choice. 
  • Students also receive professional development training and robust support as they apply, interview, and secure an internship placement.
  • PS 110B meets Tuesday 4-6pm and Fridays 11am-12pm at Philosophy Hall. 

Note that this course is considered an elective and does not count towards the Political Science major.

Research

Fellows produce a policy memo on a topic related to California politics or policy.

A groupd of people in professional clothing smile and pose inside for a photo;

Research is a critical skill for careers in government and other public service fields. For this reason, the Cal-in-Sacramento program provides research training as part of the PS 110B curriculum. During the spring semester, Fellows receive training in some of the tools and methods that inform policy research and develop a policy memo featuring a key policy area and question of interest.

Professional Development

During the spring semester, Fellows receive professional development training that not only helps them to secure a summer internship, but also instills lifelong professional skills and career resources.

Fellows participate in class workshops on resume writing, professional email writing, interview skills, networking, professional etiquette, and more. In addition, Fellows receive robust one-on-one feedback on their resume and other application materials for their summer internship.

Internship

During the summer, Fellows complete an 8-week public service internship in Sacramento.

Man in professional clothing stands in front of an ornate podium with text in the background welcoming viewer to the California State Assembly;Cal-in-Sac interns work 5 days per week (40 hours), Monday through Friday. The 2026 internship program starts on Tuesday, May 26 and ends on Friday, July 17, 2026.

The Matsui Center maintains relationships with partnering institutions in the Sacramento area. Early in the spring semester, students receive a list of approved offices that are accepting applications from Cal-in-Sac Fellows. Students spend the remainder of the semester securing and preparing for their summer internship. 

Fellows gain exposure to many different public service fields, including government, non-profit and advocacy organizations, legal fields, journalism, and more. Recent Cal-in-Sac Fellows have interned in the office of Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, CA State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-16), the CA State Library's California Research Bureau, the CA Department of Education, the Federal Public Defender's Office of the Eastern District, the California Immigrant Policy Center, among many more.