The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund Internships
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, The Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society – an America as good as its ideals.
The Leadership Conference Education Fund builds public will for federal policies that promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. The Education Fund's campaigns empower and mobilize advocates around the country to push for progressive change in the United States.
The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund offer a substantive, fast-paced internship program designed to give undergraduate and graduate students interested in civil rights, public service, advocacy, journalism and online communications, real-world work experience in the policy arena. The program provides interns the chance to increase their knowledge and awareness of civil and human rights issues, enhance their understanding of coalition politics, and observe the legislative process of our federal government. Interns are fully integrated into staff activities and involved in field operations, development work, web content, and communications work.
Leadership Conference/Education Fund interns work out of our office in downtown Washington, D.C., easily accessible by metro or several bus lines.
Learn more: The Leadership Conference/Education Fund Intern Experience
Internship Schedule
Internships are for a length of one school semester. Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate your school's schedule.
- Summer interns: internship June 1 to Sept. 1
- Fall interns: internship Sept. 1 to Dec. 15
- Spring interns: internship Jan. 15 to May 15
Core Intern Responsibilities
- Writing articles for the website
- Tracking legislation and litigation related to key issues
- Monitoring media coverage of policy issues
- Attending steering committee and task force meetings as assigned
- Helping to coordinate grassroots and media events
- Attending congressional hearings and briefings
- Conducting on- and off-line research to support Leadership Conference/Education Fund staff
- Occasional administrative work
Applicants should have strong writing skills, a desire and ability to work with diverse groups of people, ability to work collaboratively, the ability to multitask, and a strong commitment to social justice issues.
The internship is unpaid. Need-based scholarships are available – applicants interested in financial aid should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form with their application. Sensitive information such as Social Security Numbers can be withheld by the applicant.
How to Apply
The application deadline for Summer 2010 interns is April 1, 2010. Interested individuals should email a cover letter detailing their interest in The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, resume, and short writing sample (no longer than three pages) to:
Jenna Wandres
Intern Coordinator
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund
wandres@civilrights.org wandres@civilrights.org
Or send by mail to:
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Attn: Jenna Wandres
1629 K Street, NW, 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
Please note: we are unable to handle phone inquiries.
