Campaigns and Elections Intern (Volunteer)

National Education Association

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The NEA Internship Program provides interns with training, learning opportunities, educational activities, and exposure to a variety of rich and substantive programmatic experiences that support quality public education. These experiences may include conducting research; data analysis; writing, editing, using Internet applications and social media; participating in and assisting with partnership events, meetings, and policy forums; visits to Capitol Hill; and other appropriate program-related activities. The NEA partners with institutions of higher education, intern programs, and other organizations to identify interns - generally juniors, seniors, recent college graduates (up to 18 months), or graduate students - who are interested in public education policy and education issues. Students pursuing degrees in Education, Political Science, Government, Human Resources, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Business, Finance, Economics, Management, Communications, Computer Science, Journalism, Mass Media, Graphic Design, Digital Communications, and other disciplines are encouraged to apply. This role is ideal for a strong communicator and detail-oriented candidate who is interested in supporting NEA’s strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its 3 million members toward the promotion of public education by participating 2026 election activities and other assignments in the Center for Advocacy and Political Action as part of our Campaigns and Elections Department. Interns will participate in a variety of areas, such as political campaigns and organizing, general organizing and union issues, membership and organizing, organization development, strategic planning, capacity building, team building, education reform, and campaign planning elements, such as budgets, timelines, targeting, communications, research, and data. The intern uses effective interpersonal skills and an understanding of group/human dynamics to develop organizing/capacity-building strategies. Interns may learn presentation skills, how to develop legislative and political strategies, and collect, analyze, and maintain written materials to support, present, and/or report on assigned projects and expectations.

Requirements

Interested in public education policy and education issues
Students pursuing degrees in Education, Political Science, Government, Human Resources, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Business, Finance, Economics, Management, Communications, Computer Science, Journalism, Mass Media, Graphic Design, Digital Communications, and other disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Strong communicator
Detail-oriented candidate
Skill in using a computer and/or laptop
Oral and written communication skills
Skills in proofreading and editing
Use of clear and articulate speech
Interpersonal relations skills
Reasoning and problem solving skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.)
Ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car

Nice To Haves

Juniors
Seniors
Recent college graduates (up to 18 months)
Graduate students

Responsibilities

Conducting research
Data analysis
Writing
Editing
Using Internet applications and social media
Participating in and assisting with partnership events, meetings, and policy forums
Visits to Capitol Hill
Other appropriate program-related activities
Participating in political campaigns and organizing
General organizing and union issues
Membership and organizing
Organization development
Strategic planning
Capacity building
Team building
Education reform
Campaign planning elements, such as budgets, timelines, targeting, communications, research, and data
Develop organizing/capacity-building strategies
Learn presentation skills
Develop legislative and political strategies
Collect, analyze, and maintain written materials to support, present, and/or report on assigned projects and expectations
Work collaboratively with NEA staff
Participate in relevant NEA sponsored and/or approved group activities that may occur at NEA or in the Washington Metropolitan area