Communications Intern

MIDWESTERN HIGHER EDUCATION COMPACT•Minneapolis, MN

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Communications Intern to assist with creating and distributing communications across a variety of mediums and to multiple stakeholder audiences, including higher education policymakers, administrators, and researchers. This position provides hands-on experience in strategic communication in higher education and public policy, offering an opportunity to learn how to communicate the actions and value of a regional higher education organization that supports collaboration among legislators, state agencies, and higher education leaders across the Midwest. Reporting to the Communications Director, the intern will support MHEC’s work across 11 Midwestern states by creating and distributing communications to MHEC’s stakeholders and audiences through print, web, email, social media, photo, and graphic communications. This may include researching and sourcing information and images for content, writing releases, preparing meeting materials, editing the website, taking and editing event photos, creating social media posts, building presentations, and editing and designing branded communications.

Requirements

Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree and enrolled in an accredited university at the time of application majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, nonprofit administration, political science, public policy, education, or a related field; transcript verification may be requested during the hiring process.
Self-starter with excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines.
Strong understanding of how content works across mediums (print, web, image, social...).
Strong written and verbal communication skills for defined external audiences.
Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and professionalism in all work, including strong editing and proofreading skills.
Demonstrated initiative in taking on new projects and learning through professional experience.
Collaborative and customer-focused, contributing to a positive, team-oriented, and nonpartisan work environment.
Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups representing different perspectives and political backgrounds.
Ability to perform office/computer-based work for up to 8 hours/day.
Ability to work in person multiple days per week, with at least one in-person day on a Tuesday or Wednesday, at MHEC’s downtown Minneapolis office.

Nice To Haves

Experience in policy, legislative, higher education, nonprofit, or government-related work.
Demonstrated strategic use of a variety of communications across mediums, and for defined, external audiences.

Responsibilities

Generate different kinds of content and communication
Edit different kinds of content and communication
Make design adjustments to presentations and communications within templates
Match brand voice to stakeholder audience
Check facts and proofread
Conduct research on topics related to higher education
Conduct interviews with sources and stakeholders in person, remotely, and/or by email
Prepare notes on interviews, research, and events
Take photos at events and edit them
Prepare meeting materials for MHEC’s annual state visits.
Update and maintain contact lists for policymakers, legislative staff, higher education leaders, and nonprofit partners.
Support communications, events, and policy teams with assistance on administrative tasks, events, and communications.
Attend internal meetings and, when possible, external events in Minnesota.
Engage in professional development, including informational interviews with MHEC staff, mock interviews, and personalized resume and cover letter review.