Ambassador Summer Internship Program

Application Closed

Applications are closed for the 2025 Ambassador Summer Internship Program.
Please check back in January 2026.

Male intern sitting at a computer holding an iced coffee.

The Ambassador Summer Internship Program is an internship program for students currently enrolled in college. The program exposes students to professional opportunities and innovative career paths through the following opportunities:

Paid internships
Professional development workshops
Networking

Program participants gain experience in high-demand occupations to attract San Antonio's graduating professionals to career opportunities within the local community. The program places participants in:

Government entities
Non-profit agencies
Private organizations

History

The Ambassador Summer Internship Program was launched in the summer of 2004 through an initiative presented by then-District 7 Councilman Julián Castro. In 2005, the program received the Texas Workforce Innovation Award. Up to 200 Ambassador Interns are enrolled and placed in internship positions each year from a variety of participating local, state, and nationwide colleges and universities.

Eligibility

All Ambassador positions are paid positions that require U.S. work authorization. To apply for an Ambassador Internship, applicants must meet all of the criteria below:

Education

You must meet the education requirements below. Experience is not a substitute for any of these requirements.

Be a San Antonio high school graduate.
Complete at least one full year (two semesters) of college/university by the time the program starts in June.
- Dual enrollment classes in high school do not meet the requirement.
Demonstrate and maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA).

Residency

Live within a City of San Antonio council district.
Be a permanent resident of the City of San Antonio living in an apartment or a house.
- Dorm rooms do not meet the requirements of permanent residence.
- Provide proof of residency using a lease or mortgage, a utility bill, or a driver's license/TX state ID.
- If you are a permanent resident of San Antonio and will be in San Antonio for the summer, you can go to college in another city.

NOTE: If you are experiencing housing instability or are unhoused, please contact the Ambassador Program to see if you qualify for a waiver of the residency requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will I find out if I was selected?: Offers will go out by mid-April.
Where will I be placed for my internship?: If you are offered a placement in the program, you will get an opportunity to review and rank your preferred placements. There is no guarantee you will be placed in one of your top choices. However, we will ensure your placement aligns with your major and/or stated career goals. Placements will be finalized in May.
Do I have to take the background and drug tests?: Yes, you must successfully complete both a fingerprint background test and drug screening in person in San Antonio at least 10 days prior to the start of the internship program.
Can I still participate if I need accommodations to do my internship?: Yes, we ensure full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act including reasonable accommodations. Ambassadors will have to submit a request for accommodations.
How will I get paid and when?: All interns get paid through direct deposit. You will need to provide proof of a checking account in your name. This can be a voided check or letter from your bank for direct deposit. Timesheets are due every two weeks and payments will typically go out 12 days after the deadline to submit timesheets.
I have a family vacation planned so will need to miss two weeks of the internship program, can I still participate?: We do not recommend applying for the program if you intend to miss more than a few days. The program will not be extended for any reason and the expectation is that you are available to work 30 hours per week for all 8 weeks.

Applicant Information

Applicants selected for this position will not be considered or hired as City of San Antonio Employees. Instead, they will be considered contracted interns with their assigned employer partner(s).
Applicants selected to participate in the City of San Antonio Ambassador Summer Internship Program must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks.

Responsibilities

To explore private, non-profit, and government jobs by working for one of our employer partners for up to 30 hours per week.
To gain technical and professional experience.
To build professional networks with employers and peers.
To have flexible schedules that will allow for participation in Ambassador Summer Internship Program workshops and development sessions.

Employer Partnership

Become an Employer partner today! If you are interested in hosting an internship opportunity for qualified college students participating in the City's Ambassador Program, please contact the Ambassador Summer Internship Program.

As an Employer Partner, you are expected to:

Assign work schedules up to 30 hours per week.
Provide support for work assignments.
Approve college-requested internship verifications and documents.
Approve Ambassador Summer Internship Program time sheets.
Complete end of program evaluations.