Public Affairs Intern

American Petroleum Institute

37d • Onsite

About The Position

The Public Affairs Interns will gain hands-on experience across three core areas: grassroots engagement, paid media, and issue advocacy. Working closely with our digital communications, paid media, and campaigns leads, the intern will contribute to strategic initiatives that advance APIs mission and public engagement efforts.This internship offers exposure to the full range of public affairs work from digital content and paid media, to grassroots advocacy and campaign execution. The intern will strengthen skills in writing, project management, analytics, and digital tools, and gain a deeper understanding of how grassroots advocacy influences policy and public perception.Projects and TasksSupport issue advocacy, paid media, and grassroots digital projects..Assist with planning, launching, and analyzing paid media campaigns (including social ads, display, and search).Help develop and schedule digital content for grassroots advocacy, including email, text, social media, and website updates.Support campaign strategy by contributing creative ideas, drafting advocacy materials, and monitoring engagement metrics.Collaborate on the creation of graphics and multimedia assets for organic and paid communications.Analyze political and electoral environments to inform campaign strategies; track candidate stances and election-related developments.Monitor trends in energy policy and digital advocacy, identifying new opportunities for engagement.Participate in team meetings and provide updates on assigned projects.

Requirements

• Understanding of U.S. political landscape, including federal and state-level dynamics.
• Strong interest in digital communication, political campaigns, advocacy, and public affairs.
• Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Interest in public policy, grassroots advocacy, and the energy sector.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred majors: Political Science, Communications, Journalism, Business, Public relations, or related fields.
• Familiarity with social media platforms, paid media tools, email marketing, or website content management is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Support issue advocacy, paid media, and grassroots digital projects.
• Assist with planning, launching, and analyzing paid media campaigns (including social ads, display, and search).
• Help develop and schedule digital content for grassroots advocacy, including email, text, social media, and website updates.
• Support campaign strategy by contributing creative ideas, drafting advocacy materials, and monitoring engagement metrics.
• Collaborate on the creation of graphics and multimedia assets for organic and paid communications.
• Analyze political and electoral environments to inform campaign strategies; track candidate stances and election-related developments.
• Monitor trends in energy policy and digital advocacy, identifying new opportunities for engagement.
• Participate in team meetings and provide updates on assigned projects.

Benefits

• API offers a comprehensive benefits package for our employees and their families.
• More information about our benefits may be found at api.org/about/careers/benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed