Unlocking Opportunities: Internships in the State of Minnesota
The State of Minnesota offers a diverse array of internships and student worker positions, providing invaluable opportunities for students to gain practical experience and contribute to the state's workforce. These positions cater to a wide range of interests and skill sets, making them an attractive option for students at various stages of their academic careers.
Navigating Internship and Student Worker Opportunities
The State of Minnesota provides various avenues for students seeking internships and student worker positions. It is important to understand these options to effectively navigate the application process.
Online Job Application System
Many state agencies utilize the State of Minnesota's Online Job Application System to advertise their intern and student worker positions. This centralized platform allows students to search for opportunities across different agencies and submit their applications electronically.
Direct Agency Application
It's important to note that not all state agencies use the Online Job Application System. Some agencies may post their opportunities directly on their websites or through other channels. Therefore, it is advisable to explore the websites of individual agencies of interest to ensure you don't miss out on potential opportunities.
Eligibility for Student Worker Positions
Student worker positions are often open to both secondary and post-secondary students. This provides an excellent opportunity for students at different levels of education to gain valuable work experience and explore potential career paths within the state government.
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Understanding Government Employment
For those new to government employment, it's crucial to understand the different levels of government and their respective roles.
Federal, State, County, and City Governments
The United States has multiple levels of government, each with its own distinct responsibilities and hiring practices. Federal government encompasses the entire United States, while state governments operate within individual states. County and city governments function at the local level. Each level is a different employer.
State Job "Minimum Qualifications"
When applying for state jobs, it is essential to carefully review the "Minimum Qualifications" outlined in the job posting. These qualifications are not flexible, and your resume must clearly and explicitly demonstrate how you meet each requirement.
Resume Formatting
The State of Minnesota requires a chronological resume format for all job applications. This format allows for a fair comparison of candidates based on their work history and experience. Avoid using experience-based resumes when applying for state positions. Your resume must be laid out chronologically so that candidates can be compared in the most equitable way.
Federal Internships
For those interested in federal government internships, it is essential to understand the application process.
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Login.gov Account
To apply for federal jobs and internships, you must create a login.gov account. This secure platform provides access to various federal job application systems.
Questionnaire Completion
Most federal job applications require the completion of a questionnaire. It is crucial to answer all supplemental questions completely and thoroughly. Rate yourself as high as you possibly can on each item on the questionnaire, comparing yourself to someone who has never done the skill in question. Then, go back to your resume to be sure you have provided evidence for your ratings on the questionnaire.
Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) Summer Internship Program
The Minnesota State Board of Investment (SBI) offers a competitive Summer Internship Program for students interested in finance and investment.
About the SBI
The SBI is a leading investment organization responsible for managing the retirement funds of Minnesota's public employees, as well as the assets of various tax-advantaged savings plans, state cash accounts, and non-retirement accounts. The SBI employs a workforce of professional staff which includes: investment officers, financial and investment analysts, accountants, attorneys, compliance specialists, information technology specialists, and administrative staff.
Internship Program Overview
The SBI's Summer Internship Program provides interns with the opportunity to work with different teams within the organization, attend meetings, and contribute to a variety of projects. Over the course of an ten to eleven week internship program, interns will have the opportunity to work with several different teams within the SBI, attend meetings, and work on a variety of projects.
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Internship Details
Students are expected to work 32 hours per week, in-person, Monday thru Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. The core internship program typically runs for 9 weeks, starting on the Monday after the Memorial Day holiday.
Eligibility Requirements
For the 2026 Internship Program, students receiving undergraduate or graduate degree between December 2026 and June 2028 are eligible.
Work Location
The SBI office is located in the Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN.
Compensation
Interns will receive an hourly salary in the range of $19 - 23 based on relevant prior work or extracurricular experience.
How to Apply
The SBI is expected to post for its 2026 Summer Internship Program in mid-February 2026.
Maximizing Your Chances of Success
To increase your chances of securing an internship or student worker position with the State of Minnesota, consider the following tips:
- Tailor your resume: Customize your resume to match the specific requirements of each position you apply for.
- Highlight relevant skills and experience: Emphasize the skills and experiences that align with the job description.
- Proofread carefully: Ensure your resume and cover letter are free of errors.
- Prepare for the interview: Practice answering common interview questions and research the agency you are interviewing with.
- Follow up: Send a thank-you note to the interviewer after the interview.
- Answer all supplemental questions completely, thoroughly: As is true of many employers, some value cover letters and others do not.
- Never use an experience-based resume to apply to the State of Minnesota: Your resume must be laid out chronologically so that candidates can be compared in the most equitable way.
- Rate yourself as high as you possibly can on each item on the questionnaire (compare yourself to someone who has never done the skill in question): Then, go back to your resume to be sure you have provided evidence for your ratings on the questionnaire.
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