Volunteer Student Internship Program (VSIP)

Program Overview

This program is for volunteers to gain unpaid work experience in any field. WHS provides interns with opportunities in academically related experiences while allowing students to explore career options and develop personal and professional skills. VSIP also provides graduate and undergraduate students with the opportunity to learn from a professional within their intended career field, potentially influencing them to consider a career in public service. Volunteers may assist on projects and daily tasks related to the student’s major or career interests. WHS provides up to a Secret-level clearance for volunteer interns, depending on the nature of assigned work. Under 5 U.S.C. 3111 (OPERATING AUTHORITY FOR THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM), a student volunteer is not a Federal employee for any purposes other than injury compensation and law related to the Tort Claims Act. Service is not creditable for leave or any other employee benefits.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for consideration in this program, you must meet all five criteria:

• Student must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Student must be enrolled and attending, at least half-time, in one of the following: an accredited high school/trade school; a technical/vocational school; a junior/community college; a four-year college/university; or any other accredited educational institution.
• Students MUST be available to work a minimum of six (6) weeks in the program (work schedules vary).
• Students must be a U.S. Citizen or national and must be able to successfully complete a background or security investigation.

Once placed in the program, students may continue to volunteer as long as they meet program eligibility requirements. Participants in the Volunteer Student Internship Program must end their internship at the time of graduation or withdrawal from enrollment.

How to Apply

There are multiple ways to apply for volunteer student internship opportunities.

• Option #1: Apply for open opportunities on this site by submitting application and other required documents.
• Option #2: Apply for open opportunities by submitting application and other required documents via Handshake.
• Option #3: Submit a general application and other required documents, which allows for your application to be searchable by managers seeking volunteer student interns.

All applicants are required to submit the following:

• Application 
• Unofficial academic transcript
• Cover letter (maximum length of one (1) page)
• Current résumé (maximum length of two (2) pages)

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To Learn More

Questions about this Program may be directed to the recruiting office.