As part of Texas State University - San Marcos, we prepare students for careers at government agencies. Through part-time, paid internships, students gain valuable real-world experience, and agencies benefit from well-educated, technically-skilled workers. Since the program's inception in 2003, over 225 students - including Ph.D., Master's, and upper-division undergraduate students - have applied their skills to projects for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The Government Partnerships Program connects the academic community and the public sector by giving agencies access to the rich resources - both human and technological - that the university offers. We draw on this broad spectrum of resources to custom-build solutions to meet specific project requirements. Through easily generated InterAgency/InterLocal Agreements, we enable an agency to meet personnel needs without impacting its Full Time Equivalent cap by providing the following on-demand services:

1. Student Interns
   • We provide student interns and handle all aspects of project administration. Although most of our interns are Texas State University - San Marcos students; students at other Texas universities are also eligible. Interns work on-site at the agency or on the Texas State University - San Marcos campus depending on project requirements.
2. Consulting
   • We work with agencies to complete specialized projects including conducting research and spatial/statistical analysis, building databases, preparing feasibility studies and technical reports, and creating training materials.
3. Professional Services
   • We are authorized to hire professional contractors, such as engineers, if needed.