The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund Internships

The Leadership Conference and The Education Fund offer a substantive, fast-paced internship program designed to give undergraduate students interested in civil and human 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.

Check out "A Day in the Life of a Leadership Conference Intern:" 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, and we require a 24-hour minimum weekly commitment.

• Summer interns: Internship May 30 to Sept. 1; Application Deadline April 15, 2012
• Fall interns: Internship Sept. 1 to Dec. 15; Application Deadline August 5, 2012
• Spring interns: Internship Jan. 15 to May 15; Application Deadline December 4, 2011

Core Intern Responsibilities 

• Writing articles for the websites
• 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 during the summer – applicants interested in financial aid should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and a letter detailing their financial need with their application. Sensitive information such as Social Security Numbers can be withheld by the applicant.

How to Apply

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:

Avril Lighty
Intern Coordinator
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund
lighty@civilrights.org

Or send by mail to:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund
Attn: Avril Lighty
1629 K Street, NW, 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006

Please note: we are unable to handle phone inquiries.