U students studying in the Hinckley Institute of Politics have the opportunity to intern for “The Colbert Report,” the popular political-themed show hosted by Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central.
The internship has been available to U students for two years, and Kourtney Coomans and Whitney Benns, two graduates from the political science department department, have taken advantage of it.
Max Stiefel, a senior in environmental studies, likes the show.
“The Colbert Report is an excellent show because it combines satire with current, relevant issues,” he said. “Politics is probably the most pertinent field of study [at the university level] because it deals with almost everything from economics to government to education and other civic issues.”
The connection between “The Colbert Report” and the U is clear-cut.  Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinkley Institute, is Stephen Colbert’s lawyer.  Jowers’ partner has appeared on the show several times.
Ellesse Balli, a graduate student and academic coordinator at the Hinckley Institute, said the institute looks for applicants that can write well.
“We look for individuals with good time management and writing skills along with previous intern experience,” Balli said.  “The duties include research,  entertaining guests, document creation and leg work.”
Responsibilities could vary depending on the student.
“You may even have to run out and grab a rubber chicken for a skit,” Balli said.
After interning at “The Colbert Report,” Benns, the current intern, will study at Harvard Law School.
Balli said internships such as this one can help students take their résumés to the next level.
Competition for a prestigious internship with the popular TV show is fierce, but there are also others that are available through the Hinckley Institute, which currently has 100 students on paid internships, which also subsidize housing costs. These internships include local opportunities as well as ones in New York City and Washington D.C. One U student is interning at the White House.
Jowers said that this year, the Hinckley Institute has implemented “more internships and more scholarships than ever before.”