Careers & Internships

Strategic Political Communication Internships

Drake is perfectly positioned to give you maximum experience and exposure to political communication in action. You can take advantage of myriad opportunities for on-the-ground learning provided by life in a capital city, the political climate of a consistent swing state in national elections, and the unique impact the Iowa Caucuses have on all races in Iowa.

Every four years, the eyes of the world are on Iowa as the presidential campaign kicks off here, and SJMC students have a front row seat as interns for political parties and candidates, media organizations, and documentary filmmakers. 

Drake's campus is home to both the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement and Vote Smart, a non-profit, non-partisan political research organization. Both employ many Drake students as research and public relations assistants. 

We’ll also help you identify internships in the Des Moines market that can jump-start your career while you’re still a student. Drake SJMC students have interned with the governor’s office, the State of Iowa, state and local governments, Iowa Senate Republicans, the Iowa Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Dallas Court-Appointed Special Advocates, the Animal Rescue League, and numerous presidential and congressional campaigns.

With our own internship coordinator, we’ll help you find the right job.

To learn more about internships held by students in all SJMC majors, visit our SJMC Internships page.

Strategic Political Communication Careers

SJMC graduates work or have worked on the staffs of U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, and the communications director for the U.S. House of Representatives, for the National Journal and Washington Post, in public relations for the Omaha and Des Moines public schools and the Texas Medical Board, on the staffs of Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and first lady Michelle Obama, in government relations for Meredith Corporation, and for LinkStrategies and LS2group political consultants, among others.

To learn more about the career paths of SJMC alumni in all our majors, visit the SJMC Employment page.