Senator Bates Encourages College Graduates to Apply to Senate Fellows Program

SACRAMENTO – Senator Patricia Bates (R – Laguna Niguel) today announced the availability of applications for the 2023-2024 California Senate Fellowship program.
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The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members at the State Capitol in Sacramento for 11-months beginning in October 2023. Fellows are assigned to the personal or committee staff of a Senator and participate in academic seminars with Legislators, staff, journalists, and state government officials. The fellowship program is jointly operated by the California Senate and the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). Fellows are paid a monthly salary plus health, vision, and dental benefits. They earn 6 units of graduate credit from Sac State for the academic portion of the program.
 
“Being a Senate Fellow provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process,” said Senator Bates. “Whether your career goals are in the public or private sector, the Senate Fellows program provides valuable training. Many of the Fellows who were placed in my office continued their public service in and around the Capitol or were presented with greater opportunities.”
 
Former Senate Fellows include current members of Congress, judges, former members of the Legislature, and numerous other elected officials and community leaders.
 
Senate Fellows experience the broad range of activities conducted in Senate offices. Responsibilities include researching public policy issues, helping develop legislative proposals, analyzing and staffing legislation, assisting with constituent inquiries and casework, participating in meetings as the Senator’s representative, writing press releases and speeches, and performing other delegated tasks. A seven-week orientation at the beginning of the program provides background on state government, the legislative process, and major policy issues.
 
Anyone who will be at least 20 years of age and a graduate of a four-year college or university by September 1, 2023, is eligible to apply. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are also encouraged to apply.
 
Brochures can be requested online. For more information, or to apply, visit the Capitol Fellows website at https://www.csus.edu/center/center-california-studies/capital-fellows/.
 
The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, February 6, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. PST. Eighteen (18) Senate Fellows will be selected in May after an initial screening of applications and a subsequent panel interview of finalist.
 
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Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) represents the 36th Senate District in the California Legislature, which covers South Orange County, North San Diego County, and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Click here to download her official Senate photo.