Graphic Design Communications Associate Intern

Michigan-AFL-CIO • Lansing, MI

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Communications Associate is a paid internship, educational position designed to provide students with exposure to labor communications work without performing bargaining-unit duties covered by the IBT Local 243 contract. The Communications Associate focuses on learning, observation, research, and administrative support, and does not include any duties regularly or historically assigned to bargaining-unit employees. The intern will work under close supervision and will receive hands-on learning opportunities to understand how communication supports the labor movement. Under the direction of the Graphic Designer, the Communications Associate(s) will assist in developing and executing earned, owned, and digital media strategies for learning purposes. This is a part-time, paid opportunity. Contribute a minimum of 10 hours per week, though availability for 20 hours per week is preferred. Interns are expected to work 12-14 weeks on periods consistent with fall, spring, and summer college semester schedules.

Requirements

• College students (undergraduate or masters) with minimum undergraduate sophomore standing.
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and compelling content per learning objectives.
• Willingness to learn and grow communications, digital media, public affairs, political campaigns, journalism and related skill sets.
• Ability to manage multiple administrative tasks.
• Commitment to strengthen Michigan’s labor movement.
• Familiarity with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, LinkedIn) and digital publishing tools.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using digital organizing tools (Action Network, Mobilize, email CRMs, etc.)
• Basic graphic design or video editing experience (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut, etc.).
• Knowledge of Michigan politics, labor unions, or advocacy spaces.

Responsibilities

• Work under the direction of the Graphic Designer to develop compelling, timely visual content supporting the Michigan AFL-CIO and its federated divisions across earned, owned and paid media.
• Assist with the development of draft graphics for social media, websites, email, presentations, events, campaigns and other communications projects for review and finalization by supervisory staff.
• Learn to translate communications goals, messaging and creative briefs into effective visual concepts while maintaining organizational brand standards.
• Create supervised design concepts, mockups and variations for projects such as social media graphics, flyers, digital advertisements, event materials, reports and other collateral.
• Assist with adapting approved creative materials into different sizes, formats and platform specifications for digital, social, web and print applications.
• Participate in brainstorming and concept-development sessions and contribute ideas for visual storytelling, campaigns and creative projects.
• Gain hands-on experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and other design tools while learning professional workflows for layout, typography, color, image selection and production.
• Assist with identifying, organizing and preparing photography, illustrations, logos and other visual assets for communications projects.
• Learn and apply accessibility, readability and brand-consistency principles to draft creative materials.
• Assist with maintaining organized design files, templates, brand assets and creative archives for instructional and administrative purposes.
• Support supervised photo, video, motion graphics or other multimedia projects based on the intern’s interests and skill level.
• Participate in design critiques and receive coaching and feedback from the Graphic Designer and communications staff as part of professional development.
• Conduct background research on labor issues, public policy topics, or current events to support learning objectives.
• Compile research summaries, media scans, or content audits for review by supervisory staff.
• Assist with fact-checking and proofreading draft materials for learning and training purposes.
• Perform administrative tasks related to organizing digital files, tracking content calendars, or updating internal databases.
• Assist with scheduling, organizing, or documenting communications projects for instructional purposes.
• Support the preparation of draft materials (e.g., sample social media posts, mock press releases, or graphics) that are reviewed and finalized by non-intern staff.
• Complete supervised learning projects designed to build writing, editing, graphic design, or digital media skills.
• Participate in training exercises using communications tools and platforms in a non-production capacity.
• Receive feedback and coaching on drafts and sample work as part of professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree