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This page is no longer being updated, please refer to: www.ciponline.org/internships.html for current information about CIP's internships.
Check out our FAQs on CIP internships The Center for International Policy (CIP) offers unpaid internship positions for current students and recent graduates. In general, internships are 4-5 days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm. While specific tasks will vary depending on the program, CIP interns work directly with junior and senior staff on various projects. Duties include helping with conference and delegation preparation, updating program websites, research support and long-term research projects, among other tasks. While we provide interns with substantive work, each intern is also expected to assist with basic administrative duties in the hopes of providing career development as well as professional nonprofit experience. Interns can expect a break down of roughly 25% administrative and 75% programmatic work. Aside from building up thematic knowledge and research skills, by the end of the internship interns will also have a feel for what it takes to run a nonprofit organization. Additionally interns will have a chance to have "brown bag" lunch discussions with associates from CIP and other local institutions. Former interns have gone on to positions with Peace Brigades International, the Institute for Policy Studies, the Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights First, Congress, Peace Corps, as well as other organizations. CIP prepares 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.
Meredith Pierce fax:
(202) 232-3440
Summer Term (mid/late May through August): March 19th
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 are expected to spend a quarter of their time in administrative support to the larger office, while the remainder of their time is devoted to program work. Each component is valuable both to CIP's work and the intern's experience at CIP. While interns are expected to have some technical ability, especially in Microsoft Office programs, our interns will also learn basic web design using Dreamweaver. 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.
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 Meredith 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 Meredith Pierce, internship coordinator,
by e-mail. |
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| Asia | | | Latin America Security | | | Cuba | | | National Security | | | Global Financial Integrity | | | Americas Program | | | Avoided Deforestation Partners | | | Win Without War | | | TransBorder Project |
| Center
for International Policy |