Jobs and Internships with IPS

Jobs

There are no jobs currently open at IPS. Please check back.

Internships

IPS is the nation's oldest and largest multi-issue think tank promoting progressive thought. Our internship program focuses on developing and nurturing future public scholars through comprehensive skills training classes and challenging research, writing, and advocacy in a wide range of foreign and domestic policy issues.

IPS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination. If you have any questions regarding internships, please email: internships@ips-dc.org

Internship Terms:
Winter (Jan-Mar) | Spring (Mar-May) | Summer (June-Aug) | Fall (August-December)

**Remember**
Indicate on your internship application your intended start date and term.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. All internships are unpaid.
2. Yes, there is overlap between some internship terms.
3. There are no hard deadlines for applications, but it is recommended that you apply at least 1 week before the start of a term.
   (Ex: Winter – Jan 1st; Spring – March 1st; Summer – June 1st; Fall – August 1st).
4. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis.
5. We do not have official start dates for terms; start dates are determined based on individual needs of interns and the program.
6. You can apply to intern for more than one term.
7. Internships can last anywhere from 2.5 weeks to 1 year. 
8. The average internships lasts for 3 months.

Program Internships

Break the Chain Campaign

Break The Chain Campaign seeks to prevent and address the abuse and exploitation of migrant women workers through holistic direct services, leadership training, community engagement and survivor-driven outreach and training. The program seeks three interns:

Caring Across Generations
Working with partners from PHI, NELP, IWPR, NILC, SEIU, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, we will transform home care: creating better jobs, career paths, visas, and support for families who perform or hire direct care for their elderly or disabled family member.

The CAG intern will provide research and support of one or all of the five policy pillars: Job Creation, Job Quality, Visa, Training and Career Ladder, and Support for Families. They will also assist with outreach, story collecting, communications, and organizing strategies

Research and Policy

• Human Trafficking: Work with the Freedom Network Policy Committee, Freedom Network Training Institute, and the DC Human Trafficking Task Force. Focus on research and advocacy on trafficking within the A3/G5 Domestic Worker Visa Program.

• Worker/Immigrant Rights: Work on the following issues: Department of Labor Advocacy; POWER Act/U-Visa project of the Excluded Workers Congress; International Labor Organization Domestic Worker Rights Convention; Turning the Tide on Immigration Enforcement project of the IAD.

• Roots and Results Factsheets/Events: Create one-page factsheets and events focused on intersections of IPS projects, with the goal of examining root causes of migrant worker exploitation, and the effects of this exploitation on society.

Media, Archiving, and Outreach Intern
Intern will engage in weekly blog writing, responding to current events, researching potential media contacts, managing Twitter/Facebook pages, and archiving/entry BTCC's client files and other historical documents.

Cities for Progress

Interns for this project will have the unique opportunity to work on Capitol Hill with Congressional offices as well as to be involved in networking with the nation's top progressive non-profit think tanks and advocacy groups. This project is one of the country's most vibrant and fastest growing coalition projects, aimed at uniting scholars, policy-makers, research institutions, grassroots, faith-based, labor and community groups behind a common progressive vision for the future. This project provides the opportunity to learn organizing skills, media and public relations skills, as well as to gain knowledge of policy and the operational aspects of our government. Applicants should have a strong commitment to progressive politics, some knowledge of domestic and foreign policy, and very strong computer skills. Additionally, applicants should be strong public speakers with professional attitudes and good self-motivation, and should be seeking organizing and coalition-building skills. Background in campus or community organizing a plus. Internship provides invaluable introduction to Washington's progressive political community.

Drug Policy Project

The Drug Policy Project seeks to end the so-called "War on Drugs" by reaching out to non-traditional allies and employing innovative tactics to promote a sustainable, constitutional, and humane drug control policy. The project's mission is to help foster a paradigm shift replacing the punitive and coercive "social control model" of drug policy with a public health and community economic development model. By encouraging an interdisciplinary discussion concerning the myriad factors contributing to our social ills, we try to advance policies that address the root causes of the drug problem (such as decaying school systems, lack of inner city and rural jobs, shortage of affordable housing, lack of health care, and social alienation) rather than scapegoating the symptoms (addicts, street corner dealers, peasant drug grower overseas, etc.).

Foreign Policy In Focus

Foreign Policy In Focus (FPIF) provides timely analysis of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs and recommends policy alternatives. The project publishes commentaries, briefs, and reports and organizes briefings for the public, media, lawmakers, and legislative staff. Staff and other FPIF experts write for newspapers, magazines, and other online publications and author books on foreign policy and international affairs. Interns should have solid computer and on-line research skills, writing ability, student activist experience, and background/interest in several of the following areas: foreign policy, U.S. military policy, military spending, intelligence, terrorism, global justice, security, international development, international financial institutions and trade. Foreign language and overseas experience are helpful.

FPIF offers four unique internship opportunities:

African Affairs Internship:
Applicants should be knowledgeable about U.S. neo-colonialism in Africa and the African Diaspora. FPIF is currently involved in the RESIST AFRICOM campaign which opposes the militarization of U.S. engagement with Africa, spotlights the abuses of U.S. private military contractors in Africa, and advocates for a more responsible U.S. role in advancing Africa's pursuit of peace, justice, and healthy economies. FPIF is also involved in initiatives to end the exploitation of workers and the environment in Africa and is particularly focused on a campaign to end the abuse of child labor and dumping of toxic wastes in Liberia by Bridgestone/Firestone. Applicants should familiarize themselves with FPIF's position on these issues. This internship will support the work of FPIF co-director, Emira Woods.

Converting a Militarized Economy Research Intern:
This intern will assist in research, production and organizing related to several projects that critique excessive U.S. military spending and recommend alternatives. One annual report examines the rebalancing of federal security resources. Other projects look at the ways and means of a transition to a greener economy. This internship will support the work of FPIF Research Fellow Miriam Pemberton. Some background in economics would be helpful.

FPIF Research, Writing-Web Internship (Asia, Eastern Europe):
Applicants should have experience with copy editing, strong research and writing skills, and be comfortable with updating web content. Knowledge of Asia or Eastern Europe is a plus. There will be many opportunities to be published in FPIF publications and affiliated media outlets. This internship will support the work of FPIF co-director, John Feffer.

Right Web, Writing-Web Internship
Right Web monitors organizations and individuals -- both in and out of government -- that promote militarist U.S. foreign and defense policies, with a special focus on the "war on terror" and the Middle East. Knowledge of the Middle East or military affairs is a plus. This intern will work closely with Right Web director Michael Flynn and with FPIF co-director John Feffer.

Global Economy Project (summer internship only)

This project monitors the social and environmental impact of corporate-driven globalization and works to develop just and sustainable alternatives to the free trade model. In addition, the project produces an annual report on executive compensation. Interns are typically involved in research and writing to produce policy papers related to these issues.

Summer interns conduct data analysis for the annual executive pay report. Strong math or finance background needed.

Inequality and the Common Good Project

This program is currently not accepting any internships.

Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards

Each year IPS organizes a tribute to our former colleagues, Orlando Letelier & Ronni Karpen Moffitt, who were killed by assassins of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in 1976, IPS has honored an international and a domestic champion of human rights with a Letelier-Moffit Memorial Human Rights Award each year. Candidates for this position will provide overall support for the Project Coordinator. Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain paper and online folder of the planning process for final booklet
• Work with Communications and IT Department by helping to manage the event invitations/save the date process: drafting design, editing text etc.
• Research news items and articles
• Explore logistics for guests and award recipients (transportation, accommodation etc)
• Maintain expense log
• Prepare event nametags and signs
• Provide support for main event in addition to events surrounding the Award Ceremony (not limited to) set-up, check in, greeting guests and attending to issues that may come up during the event
• Generate event survey

Candidates for this position should be interested in human rights work, Latin America, and possess sharp organizational skills. A working knowledge of the Spanish language is preferred. L-M interns will have the unique opportunity to become acquainted with all of the projects at IPS by attending most, if not all press conferences, rallies, seminars and films sponsored by the Institute. This is a fabulous opportunity to become involved in the DC Human Rights community and develop essential skills for organizing.

Required: Computer Proficiency in Microsoft Office and online research skills.

New Economy Working Group

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), YES! Magazine, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), and the People-Centered Development Forum (PCDForum) joined together to create the New Economy Working Group (NEWGroup) to put forward a bold vision and strategy for building a New Economy that works for all of Earth's people and the living systems on which their well-being depends. The NEWGroup was created as a forum in which to freely explore possibilities unbounded by established ideologies and conventional wisdom.

The applicant selected for this internship will assist with blogging, article writing, video, and other media creation, and social media outreach. The applicant should have strong writing and analytical skills andhave a flexible schedule. Candidates are not required to have a background in economics or related fields to apply for this internship. The applicant selected will work closely with the New Economy Coordinator, Noel Ortega.

New Internationalism Project

IPS' New Internationalism Project includes organizing as well as research and writing; areas of work include ending the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, challenging U.S. policy that supports Israeli occupation, and working on a number of UN-related issues. Interns for the New Internationalism project should have interest and experience in international developments, opposition to U.S. interventionism, and good research and writing skills. A background in Middle East studies and/or organizing experience in peace or international solidarity movements is especially helpful. Interns will be involved in research, preparation of educational materials and organizing within the anti-war movement.

The internship would be between 15 - 25 hours a week. The project director spends some time on the road, so applicants should be comfortable working with a fair amount of independence and maintain flexibility on days and times in the office. There will be opportunities to be published in IPS publications and affiliate media outlets.

Pathways to the 21st Century

This program is currently not accepting any internships.

Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA)

This program is currently not accepting any internships.

Split This Rock Poetry Festival

Split This Rock is dedicated to calling poets to a greater role in public life and fostering a network of activist poets. Building the audience for poetry of provocation and witness from our home in the nation's capital, we celebrate poetic diversity and the transformative power of the imagination. We sponsor a bi-annual poetry festival, which brings poets and activists from throughout the country to Washington, DC for four days of poetry, workshops, panel discussions, open mics, and activism at the intersection of the arts and social change. We also sponsor a monthly poetry series "Sunday Kind of Love" at Busboys and Poets, a reading series at IPS called "Poets in the Think Tank," and other local collaborations throughout the year with activist and arts organizations. Interns are needed to help with event planning, community organizing, outreach, fundraising, and publicity work.

Media Internships

Video Production Intern

IPS seeks a video production intern to join our growing communications department. Interns are tasked with videoing live events, short interviews with IPS experts, and have the opportunity to produce original videos aimed at amplifying IPS' core messages on peace, justice, and the environment. Desired skills include experience as camera operators and a strong interest in supporting all aspect of video production. This includes camera and audio set-up, camera operation, live streaming, editing, transcoding, web posting, archiving and DVD authoring. Strong PC-based post-production skills using Adobe CS are a plus.

Interns work closely with IPS' Communications Manager and will gain useful insights on how a progressive nonprofit utilizes video as an effective communications medium for public education on public policy issues as well as engaging and building its constituency base.

Media Relations Intern

Looking for an undergraduate or graduate student of communications who is interested in learning the nuts and bolts of media outreach and relations. Interns would have an opportunity to: develop creative approaches for reaching out to reporters; write press materials such as advisories, editorial memos and releases; make phone calls to reporters; and create targeted press lists. Working closely with the Communications Director, the intern would have the chance to see how a progressive nonprofit becomes a part of the day's news and how it creates relationships with reporters/bloggers/producers.

Intern applicants must have strong writing skills, a progressive point of view, some familiarity with how the media (traditional and online) operates, a good work ethic, a willingness/ability to work in the mornings, and an outgoing personality.

Radio Production Intern

The mission of Earthbeat Radio is to bring high-quality "advocacy journalism" to environmental news and the climate crisis using creative, in-depth reporting that both informs and helps build the climate justice community needed to solve the problem. Earthbeat Radio is an independent radio show produced out of Pacifica Radio's flagship station WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington, DC.

Interns have the opportunity to learn essential skills used in producing high quality radio programming including: researching topics for discussion, editing audio files, identifying interviewees, initiating calls to them, maintaining the earthbeatradio.org website, and conducting light PR work. There will also be opportunities to provide commentary or other content for the show with host Daphne Wysham, and to write op-ed articles or blog on the show's content.

Interns must have good multimedia skills, researching/writing ability, a strong interest in sustainability issues, be comfortable working with a fair amount of independence; available most of the day on Tuesday and Wednesday and be able to maintain a flexible schedule. The internship would be between 15-30 hours a week.

OtherWords Intern

This project is responsible for the distribution of commentaries and cartoons aimed at amplifying progressive analysis in the national conversation. It empowers readers to become more engaged citizens. About 1,700 newspaper editors subscribe to our weekly editorial package that consists of three columns, four op-eds, and one cartoon. Most of our subscribers are small dailies and weeklies in America's heartland.

The applicant selected will assist with the editorial process, copy edit, outreach to editors, assess OtherWords' reach, and regularly contribute to the IPS and OtherWords blog. The applicant selected will work closely with OtherWords Managing Editor, Emily Schwartz Greco.

Administration Internships

Development Intern:

This position is best suited for those looking to gain experience in business administration. You will have the opportunity to see the behind-the-scenes operations of an effective organization. It is great experience for those also interested in establishing their own organization. As a development intern you would be responsible for the following:

Finance Assistance (majority)

• Data entry
• Organizing and filing development materials
• Donor Mailings (printing letters, stuffing envelopes, prepping letters for postage and mailing)

Occasional

• Fundraising prospect research
• Assist Development Team in organizing and assembling grant proposal packages
• Assist IPS program staff with development efforts
• Maintaining gift documentation binder for audit and report management purposes
• Researching possible grants for IPS projects