Spring 2018 World Affairs Council Internship

Description:

 

EXPLORE INTERNATIONAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH A COUNCIL INTERNSHIP.

AN INTERNSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL IS THE PERFECT PLACE!

World Affairs Council interns are celebrated for their hard work. In return for that dedication and energy, our interns see the world on a personal basis: names in the news become people they've met; overseas news stories evolve into local missions of understanding.

 

COUNCIL INTERNSHIPS: WORKING FOR YOUR FUTURE

The intern experience is real world – it is extraordinary, educational, and challenging.

Our interns learn the “how-to” of basic customer service and event planning.

They help host large public programs as well as one-on-one connections.

They help plan logistics for national and international officials.

They also gain key insights about the local North Texas community.

Many of our traditionally unpaid interns have gone on to careers in the public and private sectors and use their Council experience to deal with international and national projects.

The Council seeks sharp college or high school–level talented, passionate, energetic individuals to help us accomplish our daily missions. (Our intern program may translate into college credit – consult your academic advisor.)

 

AVAILABLE INTERNSHIP POSITIONS

All internships are approximately 15-20 hours per week. Please indicate one or more of the following on your application:

 

MEMBER SERVICES & DEVELOPMENT INTERNS

The Member Services and Development departments require interns who have excellent writing skills, experience with customer service, and an ability to work in databases and with other detail-oriented tasks. Interns are encouraged to explore ways to improve and/or expand membership as well as research potential fundraising opportunities. Daily responsibilities include maintaining and updating membership records in the Council’s database, writing and editing member correspondence, providing information to current and potential members, researching prospective funding sources, assisting with gift acknowledgement process, and attending Council speaker programs. Previous internships, past work experience, or a strong desire to develop skills in customer service, marketing and communications, nonprofit management, or grant writing is preferred.

 

EDUCATION INTERN (GLOBAL YOUNG LEADERS PROGRAM)

Global Young Leaders Program educates North Texas students and teachers on how international events affect their lives, their communities and their country. Responsibilities include preparing and updating information packages for teacher workshops, preparing background briefs for upcoming programs, helping to update teacher resources on the website, assisting in the background research for educational programs (Academic WorldQuest Competition and International Career Day), promoting the program at university fairs, and assisting students at general World Affairs Council programs. Applicants that have exposure to or a strong desire to learn about Texas education standards, K-12 curriculum development, or Junior World Affairs Councils are preferred.

 

INTERNATIONAL VISITOR PROGRAM & PROTOCOL INTERNS

The International Visitor Program coordinates U.S. State Department-sponsored visits of adult and youth delegations from around the world. The intern will assist with all programmatic aspects of the International Visitor Leadership Program including scheduling and accompanying international visitors to meetings with local professionals, drafting proposals for upcoming projects, maintaining a list of current Dallas/Fort Worth area resources and communicating with volunteers for incoming delegations. Other projects may include assisting the Protocol office with events at Dallas City Hall and with the diplomatic corps. Applicants with strong written and verbal communication, a broad understanding of international and local topics and issues, and a demonstrated ability to think creatively and work cross-culturally are preferred.

 

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERNS

The Marketing and Communications internship is a great opportunity for applicants that enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and want to develop his/her writing and communication skills. Projects vary, but they may include developing publicity materials, updating the Council's profiles on Facebook and Twitter (often promoting upcoming events, uploading photos, and sharing relevant news stories), maintaining and organizing the Council's LinkedIn and YouTube accounts, and managing photography for events. Since marketing encompasses every department at the Council, the intern will help staff in communicating a variety of ongoing activities and nurturing ideas for posts, tweets, blogs, etc. Marketing, public relations and writing experience are a preferred for this internship.

 

PROGRAMS INTERNS

An intern in the Programs department has the opportunity to develop his/her writing, marketing and organizational skills through a variety of assigned projects. These projects will test the intern's ability to be creative and resourceful in a fast-paced environment. Specifically, interns are asked to research and compose bios for incoming speakers, craft remarks, research materials and assist with all administrative tasks associated with program planning and execution. Interns will be given autonomy over the Meridian: Global Young Professionals group’s social media efforts, including platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and LinkedIn, while creating growth strategies and keeping track of metrics under the Programs Manager’s supervision.

Attention to detail, creativity, self motivation, strong written and verbal communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Offices products are a requirement for this position. Experience with Blackbaud products, particularly the Raisers Edge, is a plus. Interns will also be exposed to different aspects of managing a non-profit organization, including: program fundraising, board relations and membership development. Interns in the Programs department have the opportunity to attend and assist with as many programs as his or her schedule permits.

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifications:

 

ELIGIBILITY

The WACDFW accepts a limited number of interns at its downtown Dallas office each semester. Preference will be given to current or past Junior World Affairs Council (JWAC) members. Applicants may include:

Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university (two–four year institution)

Students currently enrolled in high school, which includes private, public, dual credit, and home school institutions

Recent graduates from an undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university no more than 6 months before the first day of the internship

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Strong desire to work and learn in an international environment

Ability to write formal documents including letters and reports

Extensive knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Excel; knowledge of Adobe PageMaker is a plus

Experience with databases or data entry

Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate professionally in a multicultural setting

Reliability and flexibility

A willingness to learn about the different departments and adhere to WAC volunteer and workplace policies

 

COMMITMENT

Interns are required to commit a minimum of 15 hours a week; hours are flexible depending on students' schedules and the needs of the office. Attendance is also mandatory for the intern orientation (held on the first day of each session) and at least two speaker programs.

Internships are unpaid; however, we provide parking validation or DART stipend, free attendance to WACDFW speaker programs, and a variety of professional development workshops.

 

 BENEFITS OF OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

 

Orientation

Interns will have guidance throughout the semester, starting with a formal orientation session to introduce the departments and staff of the WACDFW. An intern coordinator and supervisors in each department ensure you receive feedback and adequate information to get involved in all the Council has to offer.

 

Speaker Programs

Interns will have the opportunity to attend speaker programs as volunteers. Program speakers range from political figures to television personalities to acclaimed writers to film makers. Regular program attendance will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of international issues during your internship experience. The WACDFW asks that you attend at least two programs as a volunteer during the course of your internship.

 

Professional Development

During the program, interns are provided free in-house training courses and workshops covering a variety of skills for nonprofit organizations as well as careers in international fields. These sessions will introduce or develop marketable skills, valuable experience, and savvy insight for your future career goals. In addition, interns have the opportunity to network with the staff of the Council and members.

Past opportunities have included a training workshop on the Council's database software, Raiser's Edge, a required skill set used by most nonprofit organizations; a visit to the Council's Protocol office at Dallas City Hall to learn about the city's involvement in international affairs and how it relates to the global world; and a professional development workshop where interns will have a roundtable discussion with senior staff focusing on techniques they can apply to further their careers.

 

Application Instructions:

 

All application materials must be submitted before the application deadline at 5:00 PM CST/CDT. Due to the high volume of applications received, individual inquiries may not be answered. All applicants should also be prepared for a formal interview. Recognizing that many potential interns are in school or studying abroad, we accommodate phone interviews but prefer in-person interviews whenever feasible.

 

Please follow the instructions below to apply:

• Completed Internship Application (download on the website)
• Current resume
• Cover letter
• Two-page, single spaced writing sample that adheres to one of the following choices:
• Press release
• Book review on an international topic
• Research paper on an international issue
• Essay answering the following question: How would a World Affairs Council internship fit with your academic and/or career goals?