Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina residents attending a college, university, technical institute or community college have until Jan. 23 to apply for one of 100 paid state government internships available in 2008.

Established in 1969, the program provides students with real-world experience in a wide range of state government workplaces and experience in public service.

Paid summer internships are available in locations across the state. Opportunities exist in numerous recognized fields of study, from architecture to zoology.

Interns earn a stipend of $8.25 per hour and work 40 hours per week in the summer. They also participate in seminars, tours or other activities designed to broaden their perspective of public service and state government.

To be eligible for the program, a student must be a North Carolina resident with an overall grade-point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale, and must have completed at least one year of study.

To qualify for a position designated for law interns, a student must have completed at least one year of law school.

Interns are selected through a competitive process overseen by the N.C. Internship Council. Selection is based on a review of applications by the council, student interviews with prospective supervisors, academic records, participation in extracurricular activities and interest in state government.

Details about the program and a listing of summer 2008 internships are available by calling the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office in the N.C. Department of Administration at 919-789-5880, or by visiting its Web site.

Information also is available in campus career services or cooperative education offices.