Pathways to the C-Suite Internship Program

The summer-long Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) Pathways to the C-Suite Internship Program partners rising college seniors and recently graduated students with some of the nation’s top executives in the private sector to experience how public policy is influenced and developed at every level. Through the Pathways to the C-Suite Internship Program, participants gain practical and meaningful work experience in a corporate setting and obtain first-hand experience working with organizations whose top priorities include diversity employment retention and internship-to-employment opportunities. Interns receive housing, a $3,000 stipend, and are placed in a corporate sponsor’s office. Interns interact with senior-level business leaders, explore multifaceted business challenges, and build skills to prepare them for careers in corporate America. Throughout the 9-week internship, participants also take part in business networking, team-building events, and leadership development sessions to enhance their professional and leadership skills.

CBCF staff will offer information sessions to allow prospective applicants to learn more about our internship program. Should this be of interest, please register for the information session of your choice:

Use the link below to register for the information session on January 8th at 6:30 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucO2hqz4sGtG-ifjVYhJAQJdiHzrfZZT6

Use the link below to register for the information session on January 23rd at 6:30 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuf-qqrT4qEtcFEvCAP6a93aS85zJRwwbw

Use the link below to register for the information session on February 5th at 6:30 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtcumqqD8jHN1798rnsQJ_aV0sTGHJZoI6

Use the link below to register for the information session on February 19th at 6:30 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlfu6uqD0rGt0sYOlMf3bQPiSTbZe71vTk

Use the link below to register for the information session on March 3rd at 6:30 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtduyurzoqGtdlu0v_txGBGSFDNaHQmjuQ

Use the link below to register for the information session on March 18th at 6:30 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUldemqpjkoH9Xp_tZIuVV6d4NN5XyMhmwO

Candidate Requirements
Note: You must use your full first and last name as your display name when creating your application account.

• Interns must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Interns must have U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (May 27th, 2025 to July 25th, 2025)
• Interns must have an interest in pursuing a career in public service, policy, or law
• Interns must have availability to participate full-time upon acceptance
• Interns cannot be enrolled in classes for the duration of the program (in some cases, the program can be used for credit with university approval)
• Interns must currently be a rising college sophomore, junior, or senior, OR must not have graduated with a bachelor’s degree more than 2 years from the internship program start date
• Interns cannot yet have obtained an advanced degree
• Interns cannot be actively enrolled in graduate studies
• Interns must have a general familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus and its members, and related policy
• Interns must have superior analytical skills
• Interns must have outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Must reside in or attend a university in a CBC member’s congressional district.

Note: Upon acceptance, interns must stay in provided CBCF housing, with a roommate, for the duration of the program

Application Materials
The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, March 28, 2025,.
The following items will be requested through the online application:

• 1 Video Recording in response to a provided prompt (located within the Conditional Application)
• 1 Essay Question Response (located within the Conditional Application)
• 2 letters of recommendation, submitted electronically (hard copy letters will not be accepted)
• Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and special skills (2-page limit)
• Transcript (must be uploaded directly in the application portal)
• A recent photograph suitable for publication (i.e., a graduation photo or other professional-quality photograph in which the subject is formally dressed)

PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the General Application to gain access to the Conditional Application. If you cannot access the conditional application, it may be because you are unqualified for the opportunity. Please reach out to internships@cbcfinc.org for assistance, as necessary. Note that application materials are not accepted via email.

Vaccination Policy

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has carefully been following specific government guidance on making our workplace, and our working arrangements, COVID-free to offer protection to our interns. While mandates are no longer in place, we strongly encourage all of our interns to be fully vaccinated and boosted against the COVID-19 virus. COVID-19 vaccines work well to prevent severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID. Vaccination also helps lower your chances of developing COVID. The CBCF will continue to monitor government guidelines as well as COVID-19 cases to determine if we need to make any updates to our COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Requests for Accommodations
Congressional Interns may request an approved exemption from the vaccination requirement as an accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious reasons:

• Congressional Interns may request an accommodation for a medical reason such as a disability (as defined by applicable law), pregnancy (or childbirth or a related medical condition), being a nursing mother, having a documented medical condition that contraindicates the vaccination, or any other trait, characteristic, or class for which applicable law requires the CBCF to provide reasonable workplace accommodations.

• Congressional Interns may request an accommodation for a non-medical reason, such as an objection to being vaccinated based on sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

Accommodation requests for the Summer 2025 Congressional Internship should be submitted to Human Resources in writing no later than March 31, 2025.

Additional Note: Former interns, immediate relatives of a CBCF employee, CBC Member, CBC Spouse, a staff person of a CBC Member or Spouse, a member of the CBCF Board of Directors, Corporate Advisory Council Member of CBCF, or any CBCF-sponsoring entity are not eligible for CBCF internship programs.