Harris Fellows

About Harris Fellows

Harris Fellows offers UH undergraduate students the opportunity to work as full-time interns in Harris County government offices.

Harris Fellows will allow Cougars to serve the residents of the nation's third largest county, whose diverse population of 4.8 million is larger than that of 26 states. Students will apply skills learned in the classroom as well as develop skills that can only be taught in a real world setting. As a major employer, Harris County has 30,504 employees that make an average of $58,186 per year according to OpenPayrolls. Hobby School internship programs have a proven record of leading to gainful employment.

Students will work full-time in Harris County government offices. Although assignments will vary from office to office, students will assist their host office in their general duties. This will most commonly include constituent services, research, policy analysis, and special projects as assigned.

The opportunity will provide students with outside of the classroom experience in real-world day to day operations in county government. Although students will complete a term paper relevant to their internships for academic credit, the overall focus of the program is to immerse them in the workings of county government so they can develop professional skills, gain applied research expertise, polish interpersonal abilities, and build a professional network.

Harris Fellows earn 3-12 upper level hours in political science (dependent on the student's degree plan) for participation in the program by combining supervised academic study and research with practical training. Hobby School of Public Affairs program director Isaiah Warner manages the program, and senior director Renee Cross is the instructor of record.

Thanks to the generous support of the Cougar Initiative To Engage and the Hobby School, six students selected for the program will receive a stipend to participate in the program. Students must complete the program requirements in their entirety to receive the full amount; if they are unable to do so, appropriate action will be taken to recoup funds.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a junior or senior at the University of Houston during the semester of application. Students of any major are welcome to apply. Must be in good academic standing with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Ideal Candidates Possess

• Outstanding academic achievement
• Strong writing ability
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated dedication to public service through volunteerism in school and/or community activities
• Government internship or campaign experience

Personal interviews, academic achievement, writing ability, community and school activities, previous internship and/or professional experience, and financial hardship are factors in the selection process.

Program Requirements

• Harris Fellows work a minimum of 40 hours per week and are required to work more if needed from their host office.
• Harris Fellows complete various academic assignments, which make them eligible for 3-12 academic credit hours.  It is best to consult with an academic advisor to determine the appropriate number of hours for each student.
• Harris Fellows are not allowed to be enrolled in any other courses, whether in-person or online.

• Harris Fellows must be enrolled for the appropriate hours/classes at UH before the initial stipend is issued. Proof of enrollment is required.

Questions? Contact Isaiah Warner at [email protected] or at (713) 743-3970. For more information and on how to apply, please  visit

https://uh.edu/hobby/interns/harris-fellows/

Use ApplyTexas or the Common App to apply. Submit just one application. The application is where you’ll indicate to be reviewed with or without ACT or SAT test scores. Be sure to complete the short admissions essay and tell us about your achievements and extracurricular activities. Pay the $90 Application Fee for international students ($75 for U.S. applicants) when you submit your online application.