Paid Design Internship Part Time – Summer 2026

New Jersey Institute for Social Justice • Newark, NJ

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice seeks a creative and detail-oriented Design and Communications Intern to support visual storytelling and digital content creation. The ideal candidate for this position will have a deep commitment to social justice work and familiarity with social media and graphic design. Established in 1999, the Institute’s cutting-edge racial and social justice advocacy seeks to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power—from the ground up—in New Jersey. Known for its dynamic and independent advocacy aimed at toppling load-bearing walls of structural inequality, the Institute is committed to exposing and repairing structural racism to create just, vibrant and healthy communities. The Institute advocates for systemic reform that is transformative, achievable in the state, and replicable across the nation. Its programmatic focus rests upon three interconnected pillars: Economic Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, and Democracy and Justice. The Design and Communications Intern will report to the Communications and Design Manager, focusing largely on graphics design and supporting the Communications & Marketing team in promoting the institute's programmatic and organizational branding.

Requirements

• Experience or interest in learning basic graphic design using platforms like Canva, Photoshop and Indesign.
• A passion for social and racial justice.
• Experience effectively navigating social media and knowledge about the latest platforms, with a vision for maximizing the Institute’s social media presence.
• Experience or interest in learning WordPress.
• A four-year degree, preferably in graphic and/or communication design, communications, marketing, journalism, political science, sociology, or a policy related field (or, if the applicant is a current student, be working toward such a degree).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups that help to drive the Institute’s mission.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.
• Extremely detailed and organized.

Responsibilities

• Assist in creating flyers, social media assets including graphics, and other designed materials.
• Create and implement social media campaigns across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube with an eye toward reaching a younger audience.
• Assist in organizing the Communications shared folders, including uploading photos and videos.
• Attend and support Institute events.
• Participate in Institute meetings and other collaborative activities.
• Assist in organizing advocacy platform’s email and campaign database.
• Assist in organizing press lists in media database.
• Compile and distribute press clips, including updating the Institute’s website media page.
• As needed, help draft and proofread collateral materials such as fact sheets, brochures and web content, as well as press releases and email blasts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees