Throughout the academic year, the NextGen community engages in an array of activities that center on public service: engaging with leaders in the field, skill-building workshops, community service, and networking events.
Below are a few examples of events and engagement opportunities that have been approved as "signature events" in the past. Students are notified of additional opportunities and approved events through the NextGen Canvas site, which they gain access to after joining the program."
The Global Engagement Conference at UWT is a regional conference that showcases innovative, globally-informed research papers and projects that have enduring value in our local and global communities. The Global Engagement Conference is hosted annually in May by the UWT Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement and is open to all.
Learn MoreEvery year, there are many events at the Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses that connect with the goals and values of the UWT NextGen Civic Leader Corps, such as the 2024-25 UW Seattle Graduate School Public Lecture Series, UW Seattle Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, the Alumni Association, the UWT School of Urban Studies, the Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement at UWT, and more.
UWT NextGen students should consult the Canvas site for opportunities designated as NextGen signature events, which will be posted as they arrive. UW Tacoma campus and local community events will be prioritized but as many opportunities as possible will be posted. Students and UWT organizations can reach out to the NextGen advisor with potential signature events.
The purpose of the CoP meeting is to share progress reports, provide updates from national-level meetings, hear from students, and engage in a design thinking session to plan the tricampus work for the upcoming year.
Access the previous and upcoming CoP meetings
Husneha Ghafoori speaks on her experience at the Huskies on the Hill for the first time.
Huskies on the Hill is an annual event where students from all three UW campuses—Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma—travel to Olympia to advocate for student issues. This event provides students with the opportunity to meet with state legislators, discuss important topics such as financial aid, student healthcare, mental health resources, and more, and lobby for supportive legislation.
The NextGen Civic Leader Corps program at UW Tacoma has compiled some examples of exciting internships that align with the program's learning objectives. This list is a starting point and students are encouraged to search for internship opportunities where they can pursue their passion for public service, civic engagement, and other career interests. There are many avenues for discovering unique and relevant opportunities, including:
In planning your internship, work closely with the internship advisor for your major or minor. Before finalizing your internship agreement, confirm that your plan will meet the NextGen microcredential requirements by contacting the UWT NextGen advisor.
Each January, beginning in 1955, the Washington State Legislature welcomes around 70 passionate, inquisitive, and hardworking students to serve as non-partisan, full-time legislative staff in Olympia. In addition to earning academic credit, interns work as part of a team, helping solve real-world problems for Washington's citizens. These interactions provide unique insights into the events and legislation that impact our state every day.
The Legislative Internship Program offers unparalleled access to Washington's most influential leaders and policymakers, professional development to build transferrable skills, and hands-on simulations to learn all aspects of the legislative process. This experience will encourage you to learn quickly, think critically, and develop professionally as you forge lifelong connections in public policy.
Political experience is not necessary, and students of all majors are encouraged to apply. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and political ideologies who are active leaders, engaged in campus communities, and excited to learn about government while gaining practical job skills. Whether your interest is in law, business, communications, environmental policy, public health, or other areas, there is a place for you in Olympia. Interns are matched with legislators in the House of Representatives or the Senate based on interest areas and political ideology. There are also opportunities for interns to serve as caucus staff, focusing on policy or communications.
Applications are generally accepted annually from September 1 through mid or late October. Selected interns will serve from January through April. Students must be enrolled juniors or seniors, in good academic standing, and receiving academic credit for the internship. Interns earn stipends.
Please visit the Washington State Legislative Internship page for details.
The Washington state office of Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) offers unpaid and paid internships in D.C. (Communications and Legislative) and Washington State (District Internship).
Visit Congresswoman Strickland's internship page for details.
Congresswoman Randall offers paid internships in her D.C. and District Offices for motivated individuals to gain unique experience working for an elected official, see the legislative process up close, and support Washington’s 6th District. Interns will have the opportunity to expand skills in policy research, learn the art of legislative correspondence, gain experience in responding to various constituent phone calls and concerns, and assist the casework team, as well as other duties as assigned. There are three Internship sessions per year: Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall.
Visit Representative Randall's internship page for details.
Senator Murray is seeking paid legislative and communications interns in their Washington, D.C. office, and constituent service interns in their Seattle office. This is a great opportunity for students to see the legislative process up-close, learn more about the federal government, and build strong ties to their communities.
Interning in either Washington state or Washington, D.C. provides a unique opportunity to join a hardworking team that’s dedicated to serving the people of Washington state.
Please visit Senator Murray’s internship page for details.
Senator Murray is seeking paid legislative and communications interns in their Washington, D.C. office, and constituent service interns in their Seattle office. This is a great opportunity for students to see the legislative process up-close, learn more about the federal government, and build strong ties to their communities.
Interning in either Washington state or Washington, D.C. provides a unique opportunity to join a hardworking team that’s dedicated to serving the people of Washington state.
Please visit Senator Murray’s internship page for details.
DSHS’s Office of the Secretary (OOS) Internship Program is open to all qualified college students to learn, grow, and start a meaningful, rewarding career. The summer Internship Program is designed for you to apply your classroom knowledge to a professional, on-the-job learning experience.
Seeing the business side firsthand, you will explore career interests and develop and build a professional network of resources across DSHS business units. You will enjoy collaborating with a knowledgeable and professional team while working on exciting projects that encourage innovation in a fast-paced environment.
Please visit the Washington State DSHS Summer Internship Program page for details.
A career with Pierce County is an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day. Past internships have been in Policy Research & Legal, Communications & Videography, Environmental Education, Parks & Trails Planning, and other fields.
Internships are posted each February, and interviews happen in February and March. Selected interns will serve June through August.
Please visit Pierce County Internship page for details.
DSHS’s Office of the Secretary (OOS) Internship Program is open to all qualified college students to learn, grow, and start a meaningful, rewarding career. The summer Internship Program is designed for you to apply your classroom knowledge to a professional, on-the-job learning experience.
Seeing the business side firsthand, you will explore career interests and develop and build a professional network of resources across DSHS business units. You will enjoy collaborating with a knowledgeable and professional team while working on exciting projects that encourage innovation in a fast-paced environment.
Please visit the Washington State DSHS Summer Internship Program page for details.
The Tacoma Rescue Mission provides emergency services such as shelter and food to the homeless or hurting, offers self-sufficiency programs to help lift a person from poverty and break the chains of addiction, and supports prevention programs.
This is a faith-based organization, and they view interns as a vital part of their Mission.
Please contact the Tacoma Rescue Mission for more details.
The ASU SolarSPELL Initiative empowers learners globally by providing localized educational information and the training to build 21st-century skills in offline environments. It serves unconnected schools and communities by providing a relevant, education-focused, offline digital library — without the need for costly, long-term infrastructure improvements — and matching the technology with locally-based trainers who can support the necessary development of internet-ready skills.
Internship opportunities may include:
Please visit SolarSPELL’s internship page for more details.
