Hobby Fellows

About Hobby Fellows

Hobby Fellows offers UH undergraduate students the opportunity to work as full-time interns in the Texas Capitol during regular legislative sessions.

The majority of UH students work while attending college. Few UH students can pursue public service careers in Austin or Washington, D.C., because internships - the primary gateway to permanent jobs in these cities - are available only to students who can afford to live away from home. Hobby Fellows allows interns to earn $8,000 in stipends during the session to offset their expenses.

Hobby Fellows are assigned to offices of members of the Texas Legislature. They gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process by observation, participation, research, and writing. They also attend meetings and hearings, and meet with constituents and lobbyists in addition to completing traditional office duties.

Hobby 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.

Additional benefits include the following:

• Encouraging academic achievements and community involvement;
• Polishing oral and written communication skills;
• Providing leadership training;
• Developing a strong sense of civic responsibility;
• Fostering relationships with interns from other Texas universities; and
• Increasing the positive exposure of UH's Tier One students in Austin.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be a junior or senior at UH during the semester of application. Students graduating the semester before the program 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

Hobby Fellows work a minimum of 40 hours per week, participate in seminars, and complete various academic assignments, which make them eligible for 3-12 academic credit hours. All Hobby 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 http://www.uh.edu/hobby/interns/hobby-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.