The University of Illinois at Springfield is a place for students to gain hands-on experience in state government operations. Assistantships and internships offered in conjunction with a graduate degree provide opportunities to work with the people and issues shaping Illinois public policy. This premier internship program, administered by the Institute for Public Affairs' GPSI Unit under the direction of Nancy Ayers, provides the state of Illinois with top-quality graduates from all academic disciplines who otherwise might not have entered professional public service careers.
Interns begin a professional career with state government and simultaneously earn a master's degree.
They gain valuable work experience and insight into the operations of Illinois government and receive a monthly stipend, tuition, and a modest travel allotment. Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood talks to GPSI program interns during their orientation. The internship is a work experience program that benefits individuals with a wide range of interests. Past interns include Governor Jim Edgar, Auditor General William Holland, U.S. congressmen, state legislators, lobbyists, and numerous Illinois General Assembly staff and personnel. The Illinois General Assembly's Legislative Staff Intern Program .