Washington -- On Thursday, the White House announced that the Biden administration would reach a new milestone when it pays its first class of White House interns in American history.
The White House has announced that the White House will fund the White House Internship Program. This legislation was signed by President Biden earlier in the year. According to the White House, the White House, the internships are paid and will provide more opportunities for students with low incomes and increase diversity within the Biden administration.
Participants will receive $750 per week in compensation. Stipends are paid out in two installments, one at the beginning and the second after the completion of the program.
The White House stated that "too often, federal internships are a barrier for hardworking and talented professionals, preventing their contributions to the country's talents and skills, and keeping them from federal career advancement opportunities." "This important milestone of paying White House internships will help eliminate barriers to equal opportunity to low-income students, first-generation professionals at their beginnings of careers and help ensure that those who are granted internships at White House -- who will be a substantial part of the leadership pipeline across all federal government -- reflect America's diversity."
The COVID-19 pandemic put the internship program on hold. In the fall, the program will relaunch with an in-person, 14-week program at the White House campus. Interns must attest to COVID-19 vaccination status, and they must adhere to White House protocol on masking and testing.
Participants in the program will work with the White House Office, the Office of the Vice President and more than 20 departments.
"President Biden, Vice President Harris, have committed to building an Administration that looks like America. They believe that qualified people should have equal opportunity for serving our Nation." The White House stated that this commitment was reflected in every class of the White House Internship Program.
Since his election, Vice President Biden has made efforts to increase equity and diversity in the federal workforce. Just after taking office in January 2021, an executive order directed federal agencies to lessen their reliance on fellowships and internships unpaid to increase opportunities for low-income students as well as first-generation professionals.
