<p>Hello Econ majors,</p>
<p>I've recently been accepted into American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)'s Commerce Task Force Program (public policy intern), as well as recently receiving an offer to intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce (Bureau of International Trade Administration). DoC's ITA program is more marketing-strategic planning based, whereas ALEC's regards working with state legislators on public policies (ALEC</a> – American Legislative Exchange Council | Limited Government · Free Markets · Federalism).</p>
<p>They are both unpaid internships. I am wondering if anyone could leave any feedback here as to which would be a better choice? While I realize it all comes down to what I'd be more interested in, any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I am interested in both and cannot seem to make up my mind!</p>
<p>If anyone's had any internship experience at ALEC or at the U.S. DoC, any insight/feedback would be great, too.</p>
<p>Thanks much in advance!</p>
<p>Depends on if you want to be identified as an ideologue early in your career.</p>
<p>ALEC is a noted and known right-wing pressure group, and interning for them will drive your career in a notably partisan direction. If that’s something you’re comfortable with and interested in, then there’s nothing wrong with that. But that is a choice you’ll have to make.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you’re interested in broader perspectives, a less partisan environment and a career in civil service, then the DoC ITA would be a good choice.</p>
<p>I might be biased but take the govt. internship if you aren’t really into partisan stuff. Also, if you have a govt. internship it is generally easier to get back into government if you enjoy your job, rather than go from nonprofit to government later. Also as you observed one is focused domestic/legislative policy level while the other has more of a focus on international business facilitation. These are very different tracks: if you are interested in traveling around the world and are fluent/learning multiple languages (especially given that ITA has lots of global offices) I’d definitely go with the ITA experience over ALEC).</p>