Berkley Center graduate fellows are integral to the work of the center, helping us achieve our mission through their contributions to faculty research projects, as well as their support of communications and outreach efforts. Some work directly with faculty members to provide book editing assistance; conduct research that informs reports, blogs, or policy briefs; or support classroom instruction. Others support our staff in day-to-day center operations, creating communications content or supporting events. In all cases, student assistants are given meaningful, content-rich work that develops knowledge and skills that make them strong candidates as they seek fellowships and enter the job market.
All positions are part of the Berkley Center Graduate Fellows program, a cohort of ~10 graduate fellows at the Berkley Center who together participate in a monthly professional development program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis each spring; competitive applicants will commit to a year (June-May).
Find out if the Berkley Center has current graduate fellow positions open by logging into your Student Employment Office account and searching for the Berkley Center.
Commitment — Graduate fellows work up to 15 hours/week during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. A master’s level graduate student can work no more than 20 hours/week—in all campus employment combined—when classes are in session. Positions start after June 1, 2023, flexible with the student’s schedule. The last day of work is the last day of classes in May 2024.
Community – Graduate fellows participate in monthly gatherings to share about their work and connect with Berkley Center faculty and staff. Graduate fellows are invited to use the full resources of the center, including the conference rooms, common workspaces, and kitchen.
Career Development – We help our graduate fellows connect their Berkley Center experiences to the job market, apply for conferences and scholarships, and get published. Staff and faculty participate in assisting with these opportunities. All graduate fellows conducting semi-independent research may also participate in the annual student symposium.
All enrolled Main Campus Georgetown graduate students are eligible to apply for graduate fellow positions. On occasion, we may have undergraduate positions open to Federal Work Study students.
Graduate students may be limited in the number of hours per week they can work. Some graduate fellows positions are GAGE positions. See each job posting on the Student Employment Office site for more information.
Testimonials Slider
As someone who plans to pursue a career in the world of academia and think tanks, working at the Berkley Center provided me with invaluable research experience at a major research institution. I was able to interact with respected academics, develop my editing abilities, and learn about religion and international relations, all while helping the center in its mission of promoting research that can advance a more just and equitable world.
Micah Musser
I became a student assistant as a freshman; my skills and experience were quite limited. In the past two years, serving as a student assistant has allowed me to develop skills in project management, including: research, outreach, and stakeholder engagement. Further, the center’s staff and fellows have provided me with opportunities for professional development and growth. This summer, I will be interning at Facebook and I am convinced that securing the internship is largely attributable to skills acquired at the Berkley Center.
Alero Oyinlola
As someone pursuing a career in media, the Berkley Center was a perfect working and learning environment. I was able participate in so many aspects of the center’s media presence, from writing articles to helping manage the website. But more than that, working at the Berkley Center allowed me to interact with fascinating research, speakers, and faculty with whom I never would have crossed paths with otherwise.
Elizabeth Pankova
December 7, 2020
This article profiles Georgetown student Amber Stanford (C'21), who won a Marshall scholarship to continue her research on slavery and religion. Stanford works at the Berkley Center as a student assistant to Director Shaun Casey.
