Internships FAQ

Q. I want to apply for an internship at West Wing Writers. When does the application window open?

A. Applications for both our Summer internship and Fall internship typically open in January. Our Winter/Spring internship application typically opens in August. In each case, the application window is open for 2–4 weeks, and the deadline will be clearly posted. All dates are subject to change, however, so for specific postings and deadlines, please check our careers page, or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Q. How long does each internship last?

A. Our Summer internship typically runs from the beginning of June to the end of August. Our Fall internship typically runs from the beginning of September to mid-December, just before the holidays. Our Winter/Spring internship typically runs from the beginning of January to the end of May. However, all these dates are subject to change based on the needs of the firm.

Q. I missed the deadline for sending in an internship application; can I apply late?

A. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept late submissions for any reason, including technical issues. Once the application has opened, we strongly recommend submitting your materials as soon as possible, to avoid any last-minute mishaps.

Q. I made a mistake on my application; can I re-submit it?

A. If the application window is still open, then yes! Just re-submit your application, and send us a message at internship@westwingwriters.com letting us know, so we can delete the old one. Once the application window closes, we are unable to accept resubmissions.

Q. I applied to the internship previously; can I submit the same application materials I used before?

A. We certainly won’t stop you! That said, we know that writing improves with practice. We encourage all applicants to submit their very best writing and their most recent resume.

Q. Can I apply for both the West Wing Writers internship and the Disruption Books internship?

A. You can absolutely apply for both, but you won’t be able to take both! These are different positions with separate hiring processes. If you apply for both positions, please indicate in your application which job you would prefer.

Q. How many interns do you usually hire? Where do they work?

A. Historically, we’ve hired as many as 6 interns per cycle: 3 each in our Washington, DC and New York offices. For our Disruption Books internship, we hire a single intern, based in our New York office. However, these numbers are subject to change depending on the needs of the firm.

Q. Do you accept part-time interns? Remote interns?

A. All our interns are expected to work full-time, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, for the entire length of their internship. Though historically our internship has been in-person, due to the pandemic, all internships are fully remote, though interns are welcome to use our DC and NY offices should they choose.

Q. How are interns compensated?

A. Our interns are paid twice a month ($1,650 each time, pre-tax). The first and last payments for the internship may be pro-rated based on the agreed upon start and end dates.

We also offer our incoming interns an optional advance of $2,000 before they arrive, to help them secure housing. If the advance is accepted, a portion of the total amount will be deducted from their first few paychecks until it is fully paid back.

Q. I submitted an application. When can I expect to hear back?

A. Depending on the volume of submissions we receive, it typically takes us between 2 and 4 weeks after the application deadline to review all applications and send a response. Every candidate who applies for the internship receives a response from us notifying them of our decision, even if they are not selected to advance. If you haven’t received an email from us, please be sure to check your spam and junk folders before inquiring.

Q. If I am selected to advance after submitting an application, what are the next steps?

A. If you’re selected to advance, you will receive a research and writing test designed to replicate the types of work interns perform at WWW. The applicants who submit the strongest tests will then be invited to interview.

Q. I wasn’t selected for the internship. Can you give me feedback on my application? What kinds of experience do you look for in interns?

A. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive (hundreds of submissions each cycle), we are unable to offer specific feedback to individual applicants. In general, however, we advise aspiring interns to continue reading, researching, and writing as much as possible. If you’re interested in some of the writing we produce ourselves, you can follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium, where we regularly share content produced by our staff.

Q. Are interns ever hired for permanent positions at West Wing Writers?

A. Yes — in fact, around half of our current associates, directors, and senior directors are former West Wing Writers interns. That said, hiring decisions depend on the needs of the firm at any given time. We cannot guarantee that there will be any open positions at the time of a particular intern cycle.

Q. What kinds of training and support do West Wing Writers interns receive during their internship? After their internship?

A. During their first few weeks at the firm, our interns participate in a series of onboarding seminars focusing on research techniques, writing skills, and the operations of the firm. Each of our interns is also paired with a mentor with whom they meet regularly over the course of their internship. After leaving the firm, former interns have an opportunity to join our alumni community, where we share job postings, firm news, and other updates and resources.

Q. What sorts of jobs will this internship prepare me for?

A. Our interns have gone on to lead successful careers in communications, politics, law, business, non-profits, academia, and a variety of other fields. Some have written for leaders of major non-profits, Fortune 500 executives, senators, cabinet secretaries, and even the President of the United States. Others have gone to graduate school — earning MFAs, MBAs, PhDs, and JDs — or joined political campaigns. And we’re proud that a number of our former interns have remained at West Wing Writers to this day.