Higher Education Practice Fall 2025 Internship

Description

Introduction

College students from all over the country experience our nation’s capital through various internship programs. A professional internship experience with a Washington, DC, firm can lead to a successful career in law, public service, lobbying, issue advocacy, public relations, consulting, or working on political campaigns. A Washington, DC, internship can spur a college student in many different directions. With this in mind, McAllister & Quinn, a diverse government relations and grants consulting firm located in the heart of Washington, DC, has developed a comprehensive internship program that will give these students unique access to the many different aspects of Washington, DC. McAllister & Quinn has a specialty in grants consulting and lobbying. Our clients include higher education institutions, research universities and institutions, healthcare systems, advanced technology corporations, and non-profits.

We are committed to securing funds for our clients that are transformational for the companies who are awarded them, the people who work at these companies every day, and the communities that surround them. The social impact of our work drives us daily to succeed in securing funding for our industry clients and is a major component of why we do what we do. We know that our success leads to better outcomes, changed lives, and a more equitable society for generations to come.

 Program Specifics

• The McAllister & Quinn Higher Education Internship is a paid hourly internship, running from early September through mid- December (Negotiable).
• The intern must work in person in our DC office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30am-5:30pm with a 1-hour lunch break. There is an opportunity to work in person on either Mondays or Fridays. We do not support remote work for interns.
• Interns are required to work 24 – 32 hours a week.
• McAllister & Quinn will gladly work with universities to enable students to satisfy course credit requirements through the internship program.
• Interns are required to find their own housing for the duration of their internship.
• The intern will work both within the Higher Education practice on targeted initiatives and deliverables, and for the firm at large with routine administrative tasks.
  • Higher Education tasks may include:
    • Conduct substantive issue/topic area research related to trends and priorities of client institutions.
    • Prospect for federal and foundation funding opportunities to align with client needs and synthesize information for client deliverables.
    • Research and analyze grant opportunity history and various award details.
    • Prepare for, attend, and document key points from Federal agency webinars and disseminate the findings to the team.
    • Assist the team in formatting materials, opportunity / legislative tracking, correspondence, internal resource management, and other tasks as assigned.
  • Routine Administrative tasks may include:
    • Support team-wide meetings and multi-day retreats.
    • Monitor office environment and re-stock supplies as needed.
    • Greet and direct visitors and clients.
    • Manage incoming and outcoming mail.
    • Manage invoices and aid with banking and checking.

Consulting and Office Culture
Interns will experience how a consulting firm operates with an emphasis on client service interaction and the overall culture of an over 90-person consulting firm operating in a hybrid remote/in-person environment. Interns will assist in building internal team resources and infrastructure to support multiple client service models. Interns will receive guidance, knowledge, and direct feedback on the importance of communication skills, virtual communication etiquette, professionalism, networking, and other keys to success in an office environment.

Professional Development and Intern Mentors
Interns will participate in several McAllister & Quinn sponsored events involving experienced speakers focused on public policy, career development, and other relevant topics. In addition, each intern will be assigned an individual McAllister & Quinn mentor who will serve as a resource and sounding board for career advice, resume development, networking and other areas.

Requirements

Candidate Qualifications

• The preferred candidate will be in their Junior or Senior year of university.
• Preferably has a demonstrated interest in higher education, federal agencies, grants, consulting, and research and analysis.
• Prior experience working with grants and federal agencies is a plus.
• Prior experience in an office environment is a plus.
• Very strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe, with a focus on Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in person, via email, and over the phone.
• Superior attention to detail.
• Ability to synthesize and accurately summarize lengthy and complex materials.
• Eager to learn and take on new tasks, and comfortable balancing short-term and long-term tasks.
• Strategic, creative, service-oriented, and adaptive professional mindset.

At McAllister & Quinn, we’re challenging the status quo. When we connect different perspectives, we open ourselves to new possibilities, inspire innovation, and allow us to achieve the full potential of our people. We’re building an employee experience & engagement that includes appreciation, belonging, growth, and purpose for everyone in our team.