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Last
Updated:
3/12/08
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NEW:
check out our FAQs on CIP internships
The Center for International Policy (CIP) offers unpaid internship positions for students of all post-secondary levels as well as for college graduates. Each term the Center receives as many as 150 applications for six positions. Interns are selected based on language and computer skills, work experience, knowledge of CIP’s project areas, academic performance, and enthusiasm for promoting human rights and contributing to all areas of the Center’s work. Preference is given to those candidates who are available to work at least four full days per week for the entire term. The Center will complete any evaluations or paperwork necessary for interns to receive academic credit for their work in the office. An internship with CIP includes the unique experience of working directly with junior and senior staff to assist with conference and delegation preparation, web site updates, drafting publications, research support, sizable projects, and many other tasks. Interns participate in project-related, substantive work as well as administrative duties that build the nuts-and-bolts skills necessary to run a nonprofit organization. CIP provides a rewarding internship that promotes the Center’s mission as well as the intern’s educational and vocational goals. After gaining training and experience at the Center, interns have gone on to positions with the Arias Foundation, the Institute for Policy Studies, RESULTS, Micro Credit Summit, Congress, Peace Corps and other non-governmental organizations, government and business. The Center intends to prepare interns to work on behalf of human rights and democratic values in foreign policy, whether in a career or as an informed citizen and voter. Candidates may begin the application process by submitting the following:
Alex
Sánchez fax:
(202) 232-3440
Finalists will be contacted via email for a phone interview within two weeks of the application deadline. You may contact the intern coordinator by e-mail to check the status of your application at any time.
The internship program gives interns the opportunity to work alongside one or more staff members in programmatic work and administration of a nonprofit organization. CIP’s internships are therefore divided into two parts: all interns are expected to spend half their time in administrative support to the larger office, while the other half of their time is devoted to program work. Each component is a valuable part of CIP’s internships. Both program work and administrative support require interns to have some computer knowledge. Our interns will learn basic web design, Excel, and advanced Word. These skills will help interns gain or perfect valuable skills for school, this internship and a future job. Each intern will meet with the internship coordinator after being at CIP for two weeks to discuss any questions or concerns that have arisen, and to set some concrete goals for the internship. A similar meeting will take place at the midway point to assess how the internship is progressing. Although you are always welcome to bring up issues before set meetings, the planned meetings insure that everyone is communicating and is clear about expectations involved. Program Work Each intern will be assigned to one (or more) of the following positions. The staff member leading the assigned program will inform the intern of his/her duties during the first few days of the internship. The intern will be exposed to the variety of topics within the focus of each project, so please look over CIP's program-specific web pages before applying. Because each program is different, interns will have different assignments and opportunities depending in which program they work. Below are short descriptions of some of the responsibilities interns may have within each program; depending upon current policy debates, conference schedules, funding, etc., interns may have the opportunity to do things not mentioned here. Likewise, interns may find their responsibilities do not include everything listed below.
Although the staff members attempt to involve interns in as much substantive work as possible, inevitably interns are expected to complete many administrative tasks. This is the reality of almost any full-time, paid position at a small, nonprofit organization, so these tasks are a good introduction for interns contemplating entering the human rights field as a career. Regardless of their projects, all interns share the responsibility of answering the phone, delivering messages, preparing and sending out mass mailings, photocopying, faxing and other administrative duties that may arise. CIP receives a wide range of phone calls, including from prominent media personalities looking to quote one of our staff members, Congress members, major donors, telemarketers. The Center relies on interns to answer these calls in a professional, friendly manner and direct them to the appropriate person. Without the interns’ help CIP would not be able to concentrate so much on its program areas, and their assistance is greatly appreciated. In an effort to spread out the phone responsibility equally among all the interns, each intern will sit at the reception desk at least one day a week to field calls and greet any visitors that may arrive. The phone schedule will be set at the beginning of each term, and this duty will take precedence over all other work in the office. If for any reason an intern is not able to serve his or her phone shift, he or she may swap shifts with another intern, and then inform the internship coordinator of the change in schedule. Similarly, when on phone duty interns are still allowed and expected to take up to an hour break for lunch, so interns may fill in for one another during lunch. Interns can work on project work at the reception desk so long as answering phones and any administrative assistance is taken care of first. At times, callers may request specific information, and interns may assist them to the extent possible. Any questions can be directed to Alex or another staff member in the vicinity. Do not be afraid to tell the caller you do not have the information at the moment but will contact a staff member who could be of further assistance. All staff members are happy to help, and understand that interns may not know the answer to every question, or know where to find every piece of information the caller requests. The interns’ contributions to the general office are highly valued. By participating in the daily office chores interns get a strong sense of the dynamics of the peace and justice/human rights community in Washington, and meet many of its leaders. Another benefit of working for a small, lend-a-hand organization is the notably relaxed atmosphere of the office. Everyone is on a first-name basis, even the resident State Department veterans, and the office environment is friendly.
The daily schedule for interns is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with an hour lunch break, five days per week. This is a firm schedule for interns, but on occasion, other arrangements can be made. Everyone is allowed and expected to take an hour lunch break. Feel free to brown-bag it, go to the cafeteria next door, or walk to one of the many nearby cafes and restaurants. The staff here do all three, so you may have someone join you regardless of what you choose to do. About half of the staff members usually eat at their desk and work through lunch. This is not expected of interns, however, except when "all hands on deck" are needed for a specific project. In the past, interns have organized informal lunch gatherings around the conference table to meet with various staff members. This is a great way for interns to take the initiative to learn more about CIP’s past and present work and hear other people’s career paths.
Monday through Thursday the appropriate attire for men: shirt and slacks (jackets and ties are usually not required), and for women: slacks, skirts, or dresses (stockings are not required, and open-toed shoes are acceptable). On Fridays, interns are allowed to wear jeans and appropriate tops. Though CIP is a more relaxed atmosphere than more corporate organizations, we still maintain professionalism in the office and ask that all staff and interns use discretion when going ‘casual’ on Fridays (i.e.: please forgo any mid-drift tops, tennis shoes, torn jeans, etc.) On occasion there may be a more formal event interns need to attend, so having one formal suit is advisable.
CIP encourages its interns to attend the many conferences, seminars, briefings, hearings and lunch discussions in Washington. Information on many activities is posted on the office bulletin board and calendar. This is a wonderful way to gain exposure to various international and domestic policy issues, as well as to learn more about the various organizations operating in the foreign policy sphere. Interns are encouraged to take advantage of as many events in which they are interested, provided they do not interfere with their work at CIP. All interns will have the opportunity to attend the bimonthly meetings of the Latin America Working Group (LAWG), a coalition of organizations that work to monitor and influence US policy towards Latin America. CIP is a member of this coalition, hence the Center encourages its interns to participate in the meetings and assist in the various projects LAWG pursues (calling members of Congress regarding upcoming bills, attending congressional hearings, assisting with mass mailing campaigns, etc.). Periodically the younger contingent of the office will organize a gathering at a local bar to give the interns an opportunity to get to know some of the staff members better and to meet other interns and staff from other organizations. Groups of interns often initiate and plan these events.
Direct
any additional questions to Alex Sánchez, internship coordinator,
by e-mail. |
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| Asia | | | Central America | | | Colombia | | | Cuba | | | Global Financial Integrity | | | National Security | | | Americas | | | Win Without War | | | Joint Programs |
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