The Legislative Fellowship Program, created in 1982 by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, through the Bipartisan Management Committee (BMC), combines education, work experience and insight into the people, issues and politics of the legislative process.

        
        
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FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW

• This 13-week program is open to college seniors and second semester juniors from all Pennsylvania colleges and universities.
 
• Weekly workshops with key thinkers, planners and decision-makers provide an in-depth look at the legislature, its history, structure and activities. Speakers include Members of the House and Senate; key legislative staff from House leadership, committees, Legislative Service Agencies, and the Governor’s Office; as well as prominent lobbyists.
• Placement is either in a Leadership office or in the office of a Committee Chairman.
• Fellows are required to develop and defend an original piece of legislation on a topic of their choice.
• Fellows receive classroom credit (if approved by their college department chairman).
• A bi-weekly stipend of $750 is provided.  The fellowship is considered full-time.
• The two Fellowship terms are January - April and September - December. The deadline dates are May 1st for the Fall semester and October 1st for the Spring semester.  There is no summer Fellowship Program.
• Since 1982, over 300 students have participated in the program and approximately 30% have found employment in state government.

"The Fellowship definitely exceeded any expectations… I was greatly received by my placement and made a connection that translated into future opportunities for me. I was extremely impressed and would recommend students to take this opportunity."
James Buck
Elizabethtown College
Spring 2006

"Having the opportunity to work on legislation, and then participate in its passage was one of the most fulfilling experiences I had…. My placement opened my eyes to how broad a spectrum of issues a committee handles….I cannot think of a better way to end my academic career and I will horribly miss not being at the Capitol."
Andrew Douglas
Gettysburg College
Spring 2006

"My placement was a perfect match…I learned a lot from my supervisor, both about her job and how to draft a bill…The Role of Lobbyists Workshop opened my eyes to what a lobbyist really does, which is different from a textbook."
Amber Lilly
Bucknell University
Spring 2006

"I am recommending this Fellowship as long as people are interested and willing to work.…I liked hearing about the differences between the republican and democratic systems of committee (during the Committee System Workshop) and then seeing some of those differences in action."
Dante Viglino
Susquehanna University
Spring 2006

"Being able to partake in caucus and be on the House Floor during session days was an amazing and unexpected experience. Having the responsibility of the committee preview each week also made me feel like I played a vital role for the office…. I always felt like the lines of communication were open and honest between the Fellows and the BMC Fellowship Coordinator and that there was a large personal interest taken in the Fellows."
Anne Wonsettler
Millersville University
Spring 2006

If you are interested in an application and additional information on this exciting, one-of-a-kind internship, contact: Raymond Whittaker, BMC Fellowship Coordinator at 717-783-1027 or e-mail him at rwhittaker@pabmc.net. Get application here

Fellowship mailing address is:
Raymond Whittaker, Programs Coordinator
Bipartisan Management Commitee
PA House of Representatives
Room B-29 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2020