RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - North Carolina college students have three weeks left to apply for paid state government internship that begin next May. On Friday, the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office announced it has extended the application deadline until January 16 for the 2015 State Government Intership Program.

The interships begin May 26  and end on July 31, 2015.

The State Government Internship Program offers students real-world experience in a wide range of state government workplaces. Internships provide opportunities for students to work in their chosen field and to consider careers in public service. More than 3,600 students have participated since the program was established in 1970.

“In the current job market, it is tough for college students to find paid employment opportunities that equip them with relevant and meaningful professional experience in their field of study,” said Stephanie Nantz, Executive Director of the Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office in a statement. “This program does just that, as well as assist state agencies with meeting their missions.”

Paid summer internships are available in locations across the state. They provide North Carolina students with compensated professional work experience that integrates education, career development and public service. Opportunities exist in numerous recognized fields of study, from accounting to zoology, and interns will also participate in seminars, tours or other activities designed to broaden their perspective of public service and state government.

Interns will earn a stipend of $8.25 per hour and work 40 hours per week for 10 weeks in the summer.

To be eligible for the program, a student must be a permanent North Carolina resident with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale, and have graduated from high school and subsequently completed their sophomore year of college before beginning the internship.

Community college students must complete their first year before beginning the internship. Applicants must be continuing their education in the fall following their participation in the program.

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

Application and more information is available at doa.nc.gov