Sen. John Thune recently announced that he is looking for college students to serve as interns in his offices in Washington, D.C., and Aberdeen, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, S.D. The internship program is meant to give students valuable insight and help them learn how a Senate office operates.

Interns in state offices will be responsible for participating in constituent service and state outreach activities, as well as assisting state staff. Interns in the Washington, D.C., office will be responsible for witnessing the legislative process, giving Capitol tours and attending Senate hearings.

Both types of internships will give students the opportunity to work closely with constituents, improve their research and writing skills and learn office skills. Students from South Dakota wishing to intern in the Washington, D.C., office may qualify for a living expenses stipend.

Thune is a member of the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Armed Services; Commerce, Science & Transportation; and Small Business & Entrepreneurship.

Anyone interested in interning in Washington, D.C., during the spring of 2010 should submit a cover letter and resume by e-mail or traditional mail to Thune's Washington, D.C., office by November 1. Students interested in interning in a state office should submit a cover letter and resume by e-mail or traditional mail to Thune's Sioux Falls office by November 15.

As of late, South Dakota's government industry has declined on a monthly basis, but added jobs when compared to last year. The industry employed 77,900 workers during September, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is down from 78,700 workers during August, but a 2.2 percent increase from last year.