Collective Bargaining and Member Advocacy VolunteerIntern - Unpaid (Summer 2026)

National Education Association

23h•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. This position supports NEA’s strategic objective to focus the energy and resources of its 3 million members toward the promotion of public education by participating in internship opportunities and assignments in the Collective Bargaining & Member Advocacy department of the Center for Advocacy and Political Action.

Requirements

Individuals interested in participating in the NEA Internship Program for the Summer 2026 session.
Internships range from six weeks to a full semester.
This is an unpaid internship up to a maximum of twenty (20) hours a week.
Interns should be able to commute to the office in Washington, D.C.
Students pursuing degrees in Education, Political Science, Government, Labor Relations, 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.
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

Generally juniors, seniors, recent college graduates (up to 18 months) or graduate students
Interested in public education policy and education issues.

Responsibilities

Support the data collection and data entry process for the annual teacher salary benchmark report
Communicate with Affiliates to obtain information for research work
Online research to support strong collective bargaining agreements and the union’s advocacy priorities
Follow up on stories about settled collective bargaining agreements and memorandums of understanding
Draft qualitative and quantitative reports and summaries
Conduct research in support of the department’s work on bargaining for the common good
Engage and learn more about social and racial justice issues in the field of education
Work collaboratively with NEA staff and participate in a variety of meaningful learning experiences, projects and opportunities during the internship.
Participate in relevant NEA sponsored and/or approved group activities that may occur at NEA or in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Participate in interviews with the NEA President and Executive Director, and organizational leadership and staff.
Observe NEA events such as Representative Assembly events, Board meetings or cross Center/department events.
Participate in policy forums, organizing or lobbying activities, and organized partner or Intern events in the Washington DC Metropolitan area, such as Washington DC Intern Week.