During the spring semester, students receive academic instruction on topics related to California politics and policy, develop their original research proposal, and prepare for and apply to internships. During the summer, Fellows move to Sacramento to complete their summer internship and conduct original research.
| Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
|---|---|
| January 2024: PS 110B commences; 1-on-1 resume feedback | May 27, 2024: Move to Sacramento |
| February 2024: Apply to internships | May 28, 2024: Internships begin |
| March 15, 2024: Field trip to Sacramento for in-person interviews | July 18, 2024: Internships end |
| April 2024: Secure offers and commit to a summer internship placement | July 20, 2024: Move out of program housing in Sacramento |
| April 26, 2024: Research proposal due | July 2024: Final research product due |
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.
Students receive training on how to develop and implement an original research project and produce a research proposal. Proposals feature a key policy area and question of interest, in addition to a data and methods plan and timeline for completion. This proposal serves as the basis for students’ summer research project.
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.
Cal-in-Sac interns work 4 days per week (32 hours), Monday through Thursday. The 2024 internship program starts on Tuesday, May 28 and ends on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
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.
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 develop a research proposal featuring a key policy area and question of interest, a data and methods plan and timeline for completion. During the eight-week Sacramento residency, Fellows collect and synthesize data and produce an original research product (research brief, op-ed, blog post, etc.).
Cal-in-Sacramento applicants are invited to apply for a supplemental Research Fellowship (see Research Fellowships). Only accepted Cal-in-Sac Fellows are eligible for a Research Fellowship.