For 50 years, the Cal-in-Sacramento program has helped prepare our state's future leaders for careers in public service. Help us train the next generation!
Every year, the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service at UC Berkeley sends 30 undergraduate students to Sacramento to complete highly substantive public service internships. Before commencing their internships, Fellows are required to take a 3-unit spring semester course on California politics, policy, and governance, which is designed to train and prepare students for working in Sacramento, as well as hone their research and writing skills. In the summer, Fellows live in the state capital where they complete internships in the offices of statewide elected officials, state agencies, advocacy organizations, think tanks, public defense, political journalism, and more. Through the generosity of our donors, we provide our students with free housing during their stay in Sacramento as well as a stipend to help with living expenses.
Mission & Values
Enhancing our democracy through service
We believe that building a sustainable and just future will require public service leaders who are deeply committed to change and are prepared for the challenges of leadership. It is our mission to train the next generation and create a pipeline for talented and driven students who are interested in public service careers. We rely on partners like YOU to make this possible.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice
This program is founded on the core belief that experiential learning enhances the academic experience and helps prepare students for success after graduation — and that all motivated students deserve the opportunity to access experiential learning opportunities. We strive to make this program inclusive and accessible through outreach and community engagement, inclusive and accessible pedagogy, financial support and research scholarships.
Every student deserves to feel welcomed, supported, included, valued, safe and respected during the course of their internship. This includes taking measures to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace and fostering a welcoming and accessible environment for applicants with diverse characteristics, including those with disabilities. It also includes valuing individuals with diverse and nontraditional backgrounds and lived experiences.
Benefits of partnering with Cal-in-Sacramento
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Fellows are selected through a highly cometitve and rigourous application process. They represent a talented and motivated generation of students who care deeply about the issues facing the state of California.
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Fellows receive specialized training on California politics, policy, and governance to prepare for their internship experience and future careers in public service.
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Fellows participate in professional development training, and as Matsui Center and UC Berkeley ambassadors, are held to a high standard of professionalism.
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Fellows are provided with summer housing for the duration of their internship as well as a stipend to support relocation and living expenses. Note that we welcome paid internship opportunities for our students, when offered.
Recent partners have included the offices of Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-16), the CA State Library's California Research Bureau, the CA Department of Education, the Federal Public Defender's Office of the Eastern District, and the California Immigrant Policy Center, among many more.
2025 Summer Program Dates
To fully experience the world of the capital, interns work 32 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and reserve Fridays for their original research projects on a critical issue facing the state. In Summer 2025, the eight-week internships will begin Tuesday, May 27, 2024 and end on Thursday, July 17, 2024.