Senator Denham Announces Availability of Senate Fellowships
Deadline for Submitting Applications is Feb. 25, 2009
Sacramento – Senator Denham today announced the availability of applications for the 2009-2010 California Senate Fellows program. The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in October 2009.
Fellows are assigned to the personal or committee staff of a Senator and also participate in academic seminars with Senators, senior staff, journalists, lobbyists, and state government officials. The fellowship program is jointly operated by the California Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University.
Fellows are paid a stipend of $1,972 per month plus health, vision, and dental benefits. They earn 12 units of graduate credit from Sacramento State for the academic portion of the program.
“Being a Fellow provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process,” said Denham. “Whether your career goals are in the public or private sector, the Senate Fellows program provides valuable training.”
Former Senate Fellows include current members of Congress and the California Legislature, judges, and numerous other elected officials and community leaders.
Fellows experience the broad range of activities conducted in busy Senate offices. Responsibilities include researching public policy issues, helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing and staffing legislation, assisting with constituent inquiries and casework, participating in meetings as the Senator’s representative, writing press releases and speeches, and performing other delegated tasks. A five-week orientation at the beginning of the program provides background on state government, the legislative process, and major policy issues.
Anyone who will be at least 20 years of age and a graduate of a four-year college or university by September 1, 2009, is eligible to apply. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply.
Applications and brochures are available at Denham’s district offices and Capitol office:
· Merced – 1604 N. Street, Suite 210
· Modesto – 1231 8th Street, Suite 175
· Salinas – 369 Main Street, Suite 208
· Sacramento – State Capitol, Room 3076
They are also available online on the Senate’s Web site at www.sen.ca.gov/ftp/sen/fellows/_home/ and the program Web site at www.csus.edu/calst/senate, or by calling the program office at (916) 278-7693.
The deadline for submitting applications is February 25, 2009. Eighteen Fellows will be selected in May after an initial screening of applications and a subsequent panel interview of finalists.
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