Hire Humphrey School Students

The Humphrey School Advantage

Humphrey School graduates and students are among the best prepared professionals in the nation and are passionate about public service. Whether you want to recruit students or graduates, post opportunities, develop an internship, or visit campus, our Career and Student Success team can help you recruit top talent.

Post Jobs and Internships

Email positions to [email protected] or complete this form or, to reach a wider University of Minnesota audience, post on GoldPass.

Humphrey School Online Internship Listings

Our students have access to an online internship listing only for Humphrey School students and alums. To submit an internship posting, send your posting as an email attachment to [email protected]. If you want to reach a wider University audience, post on the GoldPass System.

Meet Our Students

Employers can connect with students in the spring at the PASA Career Engagement Fair or throughout the year at networking and recruiting events. If you are interested in visiting campus to hire our students, email us at [email protected] or call us at 612-624-8162.

Career and Student Success and Alumni Relations partner to bring students to employers to network and learn about what it is like to work in different locations. We take an annual spring trip to Washington, DC, a summer trip to Chicago, and a winter day trip in the Twin Cities. If you would like to host an event or serve on a panel, please contact Amber Bieneck Thom, assistant director of Career and Student Success.

Hire International Talent

Our International students generally are eligible for post-graduate work authorization through the university for a year, giving you time to evaluate your new employee and complete the necessary paperwork to sponsor their continued visa status. The University of Minnesota International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can address questions.

Capstone Projects

Capstone courses are offered year-round, with one course offering in the summer semester, two in the fall semester, and approximately 10 in the spring semester. The topical focus for each course varies according to the expertise of the faculty, needs of the student, and requests from the community.

Where do Humphrey Graduates Work?

Our talented graduates work in myriad careers across the globe. For information on where graduates of a specific program work, visit these pages to learn more:
Master of Development Practice
Master of Human Rights
Master of Public Affairs (Mid-Career)
Master of Public Policy
Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
Master of Urban & Regional Planning

Career Statistics

MPP, MURP, MDP, MS–STEP Graduates, 2018

These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100%

143 graduates, 131 reported (92%)

  • Known employed: 120 (92%)
  • Continuing for further degree: 6 (5%)
  • Actively job seeking: 5 (4%)
  • Government employment (all levels): 40% 
  • Nonprofit sector employment: 25% 
  • Private sector employment: 27%
  • Academic staff in colleges and universities: 8%

Humphrey School Tips: How to Develop Effective Graduate Internships

Interested in bringing on a Humphrey School student for an internship? Here are a few suggestions and easy posting links to help you develop strong, effective internships and attract the talent you seek.

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Tips for developing an effective graduate internship

Our master's degree students generally have two to five years of work experience in addition to graduate training in areas as varied as policy analysis, planning, public management, budgeting and fiscal policy, program evaluation, and a variety of specific policy topics. Graduate interns are prepared to think strategically, analyze rigorously, and communicate clearly.

Our Master of Human Rights (MHR), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degrees require students to do a professional internship in their areas of interest. That means more than 100 students each year are looking for a great internship experience. Internships that make best use of the talents of these students and provide valuable experience include:

  • Project-based work: this type of work allows the intern to take a project (or portion of a project) from beginning to end
  • Clearly defined in scope: an internship agreement between the student and the internship organization developed before the start or early in the internship ensures that all parties are clear on the expectations for the work
  • Supervised: regular updates and check-ins with the supervisor help the intern stay on track
  • Professional connections: facilitating the intern’s connection with professionals both in the organization and in partner organizations increases the value of the internship to the student

Information that will help encourage applications to your internship includes:

  • Organization: Tell them about your organization and give them a context for the project.
  • Project: Describe the specific internship project you need done. Give them enough detail to help them understand why you need this and how it contributes to the work of your organization. If you have a clear timeline for the project and an important deadline to meet, include that information as well.
  • Other duties and responsibilities: List the other things the intern will be expected to do or learn during the internship. Keep in mind these are graduate students. Although everyone does some tedious tasks, the majority of a graduate internship should be challenging project work.
  • Qualifications: Describe the qualifications you want in an intern and be specific. If you need someone fluent in Spanish or skilled at a specific technology, include it. Also specify communications skills, verbal or written, and any other skills or knowledge the student would need to be successful. If they have to have a car, work in the evening, or other special requirements, include that information, too.
  • Logistics and compensation: Start and end dates, hours per week, salary (if this is a paid position), and any other conditions of employment are important to articulate. If you cannot afford a salary, some students still may be interested if the project is rewarding enough. However, most graduate students are funding their own education and must look for paid internships. The average salary for Humphrey School interns is $15 to $20 an hour. This is an outstanding value for the quality of work they do. If you can't pay your intern, think of other compensation you could offer—commuting stipend, low-cost housing, free lunches, free parking, etc. Students also may be interested in using your data in their professional master's degree papers. Please review the information on internship programs under the FLSA if you have questions about internship program pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Application requirements: Give clear application instructions so students submit exactly what you want. This might include resume, cover letter, writing sample, reference list or letters of reference. Specify if you accept mailed, e-mailed or faxed applications. Give exact contact information and let them know who they can call with questions.
  • Deadline and application timeline: Give a specific deadline for applying (we are required to post a position for a minimum of five working days; we recommend at least two weeks during the semester and a month during breaks or over the summer). Also specify your timeline for the hiring process, such as when you hope to interview and when you will make your final decision.
  • Download a sample internship posting.