Internship Program

Description

Internship Program

The Education Trust internship program is for individuals who believe that all students can achieve at high levels and who want to work as part of a team committed to that goal. The program is designed for graduate students who are capable of doing staff-level work under minimal supervision. Interns are treated as members of the staff and are expected to perform a wide variety of tasks.

Interns work closely with designated Education Trust staff to develop and execute projects that will advance the organization’s agenda. This allows interns to broaden their professional skills and experiences. Assigned projects are based on the intern’s qualifications and interests as well as the needs of the organization.

Internships are paid positions. The hourly rate depends on the candidate’s education and experience. We discuss this with the applicant if and when an offer is made. Academic credit can be arranged through the intern’s sponsoring institution. All interns are expected to work in our Washington, D.C., office, unless otherwise noted. We are currently looking to fill the following internship position:

Communications Intern

About the Organization and the Opportunity

The Education Trust (Ed Trust) seeks a Communications Intern to join the organization’s Communications team.

The Intern will have the exciting opportunity to help Ed Trust build a national narrative around equity in education, elevate the voices of students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, and disseminate information that moves people to action. The Intern will learn about the role of communications in public policy advocacy, and they will build an understanding of the organization’s communications strategy and operations by working on projects with all three teams within communications division (Digital, Editorial & Design, and Media Relations).

Ed Trust is comprised of fierce advocates for the high academic achievement of all students — pre-kindergarten through college, particularly those of color or living in poverty. Through research and advocacy, Ed Trust’s goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that affect millions of young people across the U.S. — especially students of color and those from low-income families. We work alongside educators, policymakers, parents, and community and business leaders across the country to advocate transforming schools and colleges into institutions that serve all students well. Lessons learned in these efforts, together with unflinching data analyses, help shape our state and national policy agendas.

This role, available immediately, is based in our Washington, DC office and may be eligible for some telework. The intern reports to the Associate Director for Digital Communications.

About the Internship Role

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Monitor and track media coverage of The Education Trust and our priority issues
  • Support the Communications team with outreach and correspondence to media outlets by:
    • Building media lists
    • Conducting analysis of how the media is covering important issues in education
  • Create and schedule social media content according to weekly content theme
  • Draft and send Ed Trust newsletters, event invitations, and other marketing emails
  • Additional tasks as needed to support the Communications team

Ideal Skills and Characteristics

  • Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity
  • Willingness to receive and act upon, as well as provide, constructive feedback
  • Strong written communication skills
  • Experience with Microsoft Office applications
  • Ability to organize, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to take initiative and be self-directed

Required Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

  • At least a high school diploma or GED
  • The ability to work at least 20 hours per week

Compensation

The salary for this position starts at $17 per hour and will be commensurate with education and experience. All interns receive sick leave.

Vaccination for COVID-19: At The Education Trust, the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. As such, all Education Trust employees are required to be fully vaccinated and remain up to date on their vaccinations for COVID-19. New hires should be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to their first day of work. Requests for accommodations due to medical or religious reasons will be reviewed by Human Resources.

The Education Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.