Internships

We know that leaders in our field are not simply born into their roles — training, experience, and mentoring are keys to success. That’s why our internship program for undergraduates and law students sits at the center of our work. Each semester, promising and passionate students work alongside our seasoned lobbyists, communicators, and organizers who are tackling the pressing civil rights issues of the day — from justice reform to voting rights to digital discrimination and more. Along the way, these students are provided with countless opportunities to engage with our coalition of civil and human rights organizations. 

Our internship program provides a direct line between undergraduate and law students and a career that advances civil and human rights. Our substantive, fast-paced internship program is designed to give real-world work experience in the policy arena to undergraduate and law students interested in civil and human rights and social justice. The program provides interns the chance to increase their knowledge and awareness of civil and human rights issues, enhance their understanding of coalition dynamics, observe the legislative and administrative process of our federal government, and learn about the decision-making processes that ensure organizational effectiveness. 

Our undergraduate and legal interns are fully integrated into staff activities and involved in communications, development, field, organizational management, and policy work. By facilitating interactions with senior staff of the organization, we will also help the interns enhance their career development and networking skills. 

We offer paid twelve-week internships for the fall, winter/spring, and summer. In March 2020, we converted our internship program to an all-virtual program.   

Internship FAQs:  

Q: Do you accept high school students?  
A: We do not accept high school students.  

Q: Which students are eligible for the internship?  
A: Applicants for the undergraduate internship must have completed at least three semesters of coursework and be currently enrolled in an accredited college. To be eligible for the legal internship, you must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school. 

Q: Is the internship virtual? 
A: Yes, our internships will remain entirely virtual for the foreseeable future. There may be optional events in Washington, DC that interns who are in the area may be invited to attend.  

Q: Can I receive school credit for the internship? 
A: Yes, many of our interns receive school credit for this internship. We are happy to work with you to accommodate this if you are selected. 

Q: What do I need to do to apply? When can I expect to hear back? 
A: Please submit your resume, cover letter, a writing sample, and two references in our career center portal. Due to the sheer volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to everyone individually. If you are selected for an interview, you will hear from us within a month after the application deadline.  

Q: What if I am not selected? Can I reapply?  
A: Yes, absolutely! We strongly encourage you to reapply for a future semester.