Fellowship - Frequently Asked Questions | Ohio Legislative Service Commission

The LSC fellowship program is a full-time, paid program. Fellows currently earn $42,000 per year or $20.20 per hour plus the same benefit package provided to all permanent, full-time state employees, including several types of paid leave (holiday, vacation, personal, and sick leave) as well as health care and retirement benefits. Fellows also receive compensatory time off for any overtime worked.

The cohort application process opens in January. Links to the applications and the latest salary information can be found on the fellowship program home page. Interviews take place in May, conducted by LSC fellowship program staff along with the House or Senate caucus staff or OGT staff. Final selection decisions are made at the end of May or early June.

Legislative fellows must hold a bachelor's degree before the start date of the program. Candidates from all majors are considered.
As part of the application, you will be asked to upload the following documents: (1) Résumé; (2) Transcript from each college or university attended; (3) A 500-750 word personal statement explaining why you are interested in the fellowship program and what makes you a good candidate for the program; and (4) Names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of two individuals who can speak to your academic or employment record. LSC will contact your references for letters of recommendation.

Media production fellows must, before the start date of the program, hold a bachelor's degree with a major or minor in either Mass Media Communications, Journalism (Broadcast or Video & Film), Communication/Communication Arts (Electronic Media, Telecommunications, and Radio/Television), or Media Production. A bachelor's degree in another area of study will be considered if you have acquired the requisite video production skills.
As part of the application, you will be asked to upload the following documents: (1) Résumé; (2) Transcript from each college or university attended; (3) A 500-750 word personal statement explaining why you are interested in the fellowship program and what makes you a good candidate for the program; (4) A demo reel, up to five minutes in length, and that is publicly accessible via web link, with your name and duties related to the project(s) clearly indicated; and (5) Names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of two individuals who can speak to your academic or employment record. LSC will contact your references for letters of recommendation.

One of the primary responsibilities for most fellows assigned to the House or Senate is to assist members with constituent outreach, including responding to inquiries from district residents when they have a problem or concern. Writing assignments might include press releases, newsletters, speeches, and committee memorandums. Fellows also research issues and perform administrative work.

Fellows assigned to nonpartisan LSC draft and analyze legislation, including a bill's fiscal effects on state and local government, conduct research to provide answers to legislative inquiries, and staff legislative committees. Fellows assigned to the Office of Research and Drafting (ORD) focus more on the “legal” side of legislative services, while fellows assigned to the Legislative Budget Office (LBO) focus more on the “budget” side of legislative services. Fellows are assigned many of the same duties as permanent ORD and LBO staff.

Yes! All fellows will be required to take part in a week-long orientation program at the start of the program. During orientation you will learn how the legislative process works, participate in workshops on useful resources and skills, meet with legislators and legislative staff, hear from members of the outgoing class of fellows and former fellows on their experiences, and tour the Statehouse and other government offices and facilities.

Although completing the 13-month fellowship program does not automatically guarantee permanent employment with the General Assembly or the state of Ohio, many fellows are offered permanent positions with the General Assembly as legislative staff or with state agencies as legislative liaisons as a result of participating in the fellowship program. Post-fellowship opportunities in the private sector have included positions with lobbying or public relations firms. A directory of current and former fellows is available on the program page of the LSC website: lsc.ohio.gov/fellowship.