Communications Internship Summer 2026

Institute for the Study of War • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

ISW’s External Relations Team offers a unique opportunity to candidates interested in learning more about non-profit communications with an eye towards national security. Interns will hone their skills supporting a variety of communications functions, including media relations and monitoring, writing and copyediting, social media monitoring and management, digital content creation, and media research.

Over the course of a quarter, interns will receive guidance from ISW’s professional communications and publishing staff, gradually expanding their knowledge of communications strategy and sharpening their ability to improve written products. Interns will have the opportunity to create and edit videos, graphics, and written material as well as assist in special projects and company initiatives. Interns will also help develop and execute social media campaigns across platforms like X, Bluesky, Threads, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

This internship provides a great opportunity to train alongside a small and flexible external relations team in an engaging and fast-paced work environment. This is a full-time (five days per week) in-person, remote, or hybrid internship; but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

• Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated proficiency in a related field.
• Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Candidates should have experience adhering to a codified writing style guide such as the AP Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, or the American Psychological Association Stylebook.
• Candidates should have experience reviewing the written work of others; this can include peer reviews of papers, work in a college writing center, or other copyediting experience in a professional or academic setting.
• Candidates should be self-motivated, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants are strongly encouraged to submit examples of produced visual material, including graphics, photography, and video.

Responsibilities

• Media relations and monitoring
• Writing and copyediting
• Social media monitoring and management
• Digital content creation
• Media research
• Create and edit videos, graphics, and written material
• Assist in special projects and company initiatives
• Develop and execute social media campaigns across platforms like X, Bluesky, Threads, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed