Scholar Communications Intern

Chicago Scholars Foundation•Chicago, IL

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Chicago Scholars is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering academically ambitious first-generation or low-income students to achieve success in college and beyond. The organization focuses on leadership development, economic mobility, and fostering a sense of belonging for its Scholars. Through programs in College Readiness, College Success, and Career and Leadership Advancement, Chicago Scholars provides college counseling, mentoring, and a supportive community. The organization emphasizes racial justice, equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion (READI) in all its operations. The Scholar Communications Intern plays a crucial role in disseminating information about opportunities, programs, and resources to Scholars, supporting the Associate Director of Scholar Communications in executing daily communications, tracking opportunities, and contributing a Scholar-centered perspective to marketing efforts. This role also involves assisting the Career and Leadership Advancement team with data management.

Requirements

Completed at least first year of college
0-2 years of experience
Must be located in the Chicagoland area and be able to regularly commute to the Chicago Scholars office at 141 W. Jackson Blvd.
Excellent communication skills
Outlook Basic Knowledge
Basic Knowledge of design software like Canva or Adobe products
Flexibility and ability to take feedback professionally, not personally
AI Literacy & Engagement: Encouraged to experiment with AI tools to improve work and drive efficiency. Demonstrates curiosity about emerging technologies and is comfortable integrating AI into everyday tasks. Proactively identify areas of friction in workflows where AI can improve speed, quality, or insight, while maintaining a strong understanding of data security, privacy, and ethical considerations in AI use.

Nice To Haves

Contributes a Scholar-centered perspective to communication and marketing efforts across programs.
Works closely with the Career and Leadership Advancement team to support data management.
Compile a portfolio of their best work at the end of each internship term (typically an academic year) and participate in a presentation and conversation to discuss their learning and goals.
Depending on the intern’s skills and interests, stretch projects may be assigned once a working relationship has been established. These projects might involve developing Scholar resources like handbooks and guides; conducting surveys or other research related to Scholar experiences; collaborating with other departments to develop projects and assets.

Responsibilities

Drafts Scholar newsletters, emails, and text messages using templates and provided graphics.
Monitors opportunities and requests shared by Chicago Scholars staff; elevates key requests to Associate Director of Scholar Communications; liaises with the REACH intern to ensure all opportunities are listed on the REACH opportunities board.
Serves as liaison between Chicago Scholars staff and Scholars for communication-related outreach, including newsletter highlights, event promotions, and coordinating filming for videos.
Contributes creative ideas for recurring newsletters and engagement content, such as Scholar spotlights, wellness features, and student-centered resources.
Participates in planning meetings with the Marketing and Communications team.
Shadows the Associate Director of Scholar Communications as they develop strategies and analyze data.
In collaboration with the Career and Leadership Advancement team, update Salesforce database with current and updated career partner and Scholar information (for example: primary contact, contact emails, institutional profile/demographic, partnership type, internship placement etc.)
Assist with database management related to marketing and communications campaigns (i.e., updating and removing email and mailing addresses)
Maintains archive of Scholar communications and materials
Collaborates with other Development and External Engagement interns on cross-team projects
Support administrative tasks and events as needed
Other duties, as assigned