BIA Pathways Internships for Students

The BIA Pathways Internship Program connects Native American and Alaska Native students to paid internships with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal Nations across the United States.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is a federal government agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life, promote economic opportunity, and fulfill and protect treaty and trust responsibilities for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Tribal Nations.

Through the Pathways Internship Program, Native students can work directly with BIA offices or Tribal Nations to gain hands-on professional experience in a wide range of fields. We are excited to help train and grow the next generation of Native professionals and leaders, and we encourage you to read more about the program below.  

Current internship hiring announcements are listed on USAJobs.gov. Learn more about How to Apply for a Pathways Internship.

Offices or Tribal entities interested in hosting Pathways student trainees can learn more about BIA Pathways Host Information.

Federal internships are a fantastic way to gain work experience and explore different career paths, and the BIA Pathways Program is specifically designed to help Native students join the workforce after finishing school. Just some of the benefits of a Pathways student trainee are:

• Opportunities working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs or for Tribal Nations.
• Tuition assistance, scholarships, temporary internship housing, paid training opportunities, and travel opportunities to BIA and Tribal locations across the United States.   
• After graduation, successful Pathways student trainees may qualify for a permanent, non-competitive job placement with the BIA or Tribal Nations.

Learn more about Pathways Internship Program Benefits.

BIA Pathways Internships are open to current students aged 18 or older. Whether you’re pursuing an Associate’s or a Doctorate, we are eager to help you develop your talent and prepare you for a rewarding career serving Indian Country.

For more information on internship eligibility requirements, learn more about Pathways Internship Program Eligibility.

The BIA provides a much wider variety of services than most agencies. The work our interns do is incredibly diverse, and our hiring needs span many degree programs and fields, including:

• Natural Resources: Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Environmental Science, Water Resource Management, Wildland Fire Management, Climate Resilience, Geology
• Agricultural Sciences: Rangeland Management, Animal Sciences, Soil Conservation, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Bison Management
• Technology and Engineering: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science
• Cultural Resources: Anthropology, Archaeology, Museum Studies, Language Revitalization, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, American Indian Studies
• And many more!

We’re excited to help you find unique ways to apply your education toward a career in public service that benefits Tribal communities.