Location: Hartford,CT, USA
The Connecticut General Assembly's Office of Legislative Research (OLR) seeks qualified, current graduate school students to help its staff conduct nonpartisan policy and legal research for the 2025 legislative session, which runs from January 8, 2025, to June 4, 2025. Selected candidates will perform timely research for legislators proposing new laws and policies during the legislative session. Seasoned OLR analysts, who are either attorneys or hold other graduate degrees, will provide the fellows with training, and review all draft research reports and other work products. Finished reports will be delivered to legislators and published on the OLR website. Fellows' published work provides a great source of writing samples for future professional use. OLR fellows have gone on to employment in all three branches of Connecticut state government, with federal agencies, and in private law practice or industry.
Preferred Skills & Abilities
Candidates for the fellowship should possess excellent writing and analytical skills and, by the start of the fellowship, must have completed at least one semester of course work in a graduate degree program in public administration, government, law, public policy, political science, criminal justice, or a related field.
Selected students will be required to work 15 to 20 hours per week. The fellowship is paid, and participants may also earn credit from their college or university.
Application Instructions
Qualified students should apply via by 5:00 pm on October 14, 2024. Please be sure to submit your cover letter and resume in the application process.
Graduate Fellowship Program — Testimonials
“This fellowship provides an excellent opportunity for grad students to enhance their research and writing skills while also getting a first-hand look at the legislative process.”
-- Evan Foley
Quinnipiac University School of Law, 2023
“I had a great experience as an OLR Fellow. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the legislative process and the topics that are important to people in Connecticut. You will conduct a lot of independent research and may even become an expert on topics you never considered before. The people in OLR are some of the kindest I have ever met and I felt valued and supported throughout my experience. I am so appreciative of everything I learned and feel very lucky to have had such great mentors.”
-- Ellen Roberts
UConn Law, 2022
“As a graduate fellow in the Office of Legislative Research, I had the opportunity to see the policy-making process in Connecticut up close and take the lead role on a number of projects. I ended the fellowship knowing I had a firm grasp on the legislative process and that I had gained useful research and writing skills. I would highly recommend the fellowship to anyone interested in law, public policy, or current events.”
-- Andrew Bolger
UConn Public Policy, 2018
“Serving as an OLR Fellow is a very special opportunity. The work environment is intellectually challenging, dynamic, and fun. The people you will work with are smart, resourceful, and supportive. I've grown as a person and professional through my fellowship experience.”
-- Olivia Roman
Eastern Connecticut State University, 2018