Government Relations Intern (Students)

Appian Corporation•McLean, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Appian is seeking a Government Relations Intern to operate at the intersection of public policy and business value. This role will support Value Engineering efforts, helping to quantify and communicate the economic and operational impact of Appian's technology to government stakeholders. This is a high-visibility role on a growing team, offering exposure to senior leaders, federal customers, and the policy community. The internship is based at Appian's headquarters in McLean, Virginia, with periodic travel to Washington, DC and Capitol Hill. Interns are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to fully experience the company culture and contribute to projects collaboratively. This internship is for undergraduate students applying for Summer 2026.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, Government, or a related field.
Strong academic standing and a demonstrated interest in the intersection of government and technology.
Exceptional writing and presentation skills; ability to tell a story with data.
Must be able to work on-site at our McLean, VA headquarters for the duration of the Summer 2026 program.
Must be available for periodic day travel to Washington, DC and Capitol Hill as needed.

Nice To Haves

Prior internship or coursework experience in a Congressional office, federal agency, trade association, think tank, campaign, or government affairs function.
Familiarity with the federal budget and appropriations process, the NDAA cycle, or federal procurement.
Interest in enterprise software, AI policy, or the modernization of legacy government systems.
Experience with research tools such as Bloomberg Government, POLITICO Pro, or similar legislative tracking platforms.

Responsibilities

Research and track legislative developments, procurement trends, and agency-specific initiatives impacting the federal technology industry, focusing on priority agencies like DoD, DHS, VA, and HHS.
Assist in building business cases and ROI models to demonstrate the fiscal and mission value of Appian to government agencies, translating customer outcomes into compelling narratives for policymakers.
Help draft briefing materials, white papers, talking points, and presentations for internal leadership and external government stakeholders, including members of Congress and senior agency officials.
Monitor the competitive landscape and identify opportunities where policy shifts, appropriations cycles, and modernization mandates create a need for high-speed digital transformation.
Support meeting preparation and follow-up for Congressional offices, committee staff, and agency stakeholders, with opportunities to attend select meetings in DC alongside the government relations team.