Intern Scholar Program
We are a small and flexible organization that expects great things from our staff. Our Intern Scholars do not make coffee or file papers. Instead, through hard work and careful research, they have the opportunity to make tangible and timely contributions to progressive goals.
Students and graduates may intern at the Oakland Institute between 10 and 40 hours per week for a minimum of two months. Our Intern Scholars participate fully in the life and work of the Institute, preparing research for use in reports or other media and web-based and hard copy informational materials for public dissemination. They also have opportunities to interact directly with OI fellows and staff. While internships at the Oakland Institute are unpaid, students are generally able to receive college credit for their work.
Description:
Intern Scholars are currently needed to support the following issues areas and activities:
1. Aid Watch Center
2. Politics of Food Aid
3. Congressional hearing on the impact of Free Trade agreements on small family farmers around the world
4. On-going monitoring and reporting on trade agreements
5. Edit The Reporter, the Institute’s electronic newsletter
6. Assist with media outreach, maintaining and further developing the media database
7. Develop fact sheets and one page “hot press alerts” on issues related to the Institute’s mission.
8. Assist with maintaining the Institute’s web site by surveying other nonprofit websites for new ideas for both format and content, and possible links to related sites.
Requirements:
Intern Scholars should have superior written and oral communication skills, excellent analytical ability and library and Internet research capabilities. They should be able to work reliably and responsibly as part of a team or individually. Applicants from any major or graduate program will be considered, although social science and economics backgrounds are preferred. Undergraduates should have attained at least junior status in college and have a minimum combined 12 months of work/volunteer experience (including summer work). Non-students must have two years of work experience, and at least year one requiring the regular use of analytical and writing skills.
Application:
Please complete all parts of the application as listed below. All application materials must be submitted together in a single format, either online or hardcopy. Please submit materials to info@oaklandinstitute.org or mail to the Oakland Institute, P.O. Box 18978, Oakland, CA 94619.
1. Fill out the application form
2. Resume
3. Short statement or cover letter, no longer than two pages, that:
a. Describes your particular skills, education (including major), and work/volunteer experience
b. Outlines your goals and interests
c. Explains why you want to be an Intern Scholar at The Oakland Institute
d. Details your time availability and available dates for work (i.e., starting and ending dates)
4. A research/ writing sample no longer than three pages (an excerpt from a class paper is acceptable if it can be read on its own)
5. One letter of recommendation from a teacher or policy-related employer who is familiar with your written work
