2027 Summer Internship

FIRE • Philadelphia, PA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

FIRE’s 10-week, paid Summer Internship Program gives undergraduate students hands-on experience defending civil liberties and advancing free speech. Interns work full-time and in person at FIRE’s Philadelphia office from June 1 through August 6, 2027, and must be available for the entire program. The regular schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interns receive a $6,400 stipend and additional compensation for serving as counselors during FIRE’s Free Speech Forum. Housing and transportation during the internship are the interns’ responsibility.

Interns work alongside FIRE staff, receive mentorship, participate in weekly seminars with staff and other experts on freedom of expression, and contribute to student programs and FIRE’s work. The program is open to rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors attending colleges or universities in the United States. The selection process includes two virtual interview rounds and an in-person finalist interview in Florida, with travel and lodging covered for invited finalists. Students studying abroad during the final round may participate virtually via Google Meet.

Requirements

• Be an undergraduate student who will be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior at a college or university in the United States.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in free speech and civil liberties.
• Have excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Be responsible, organized, and willing to take initiative.
• Be willing to engage with ideas and viewpoints one may disagree with.
• Be able to work under pressure and bring a sense of humor.
• Be collaborative, open to feedback, and enthusiastic about contributing to a team.
• Commit to the full 10-week program, June 1 through August 6, 2027, at 40 hours per week, in person in Philadelphia.
• Prepare thoughtful written application responses; responses are evaluated for clarity, style, and quality as well as content.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience as a camp counselor, resident adviser, teacher, coach, mentor, or in a similar supervisory role can strengthen an application; it is not required.
• Intellectual curiosity, initiative, strong writing and communication, receptiveness to feedback, and enjoyment of teamwork are identified as strengths of strong applicants.

Responsibilities

• Work with FIRE’s student development, defense, policy reform, legislation, development, and media teams on research and administrative projects.
• Assist with planning and executing the FIRE Student Network Summer Conference in Philadelphia in July 2027, and lead educational and interactive sessions for attendees.
• Serve as a residential counselor during the Free Speech Forum by providing supervision, mentorship, and facilitating educational activities centered on free speech.
• Have the opportunity to contribute to FIRE’s Newsdesk.
• Participate in weekly seminars, readings, and discussions on foundational arguments for protecting core rights in a free society.
• Collaborate individually and in teams to support FIRE’s response to breaking news and its ongoing defense of free speech.
• Contribute to activities across development, conference planning, education, and outreach.

Benefits

• $6,400 stipend
• Additional compensation for work as a counselor during FIRE’s Free Speech Forum
• Mentorship from FIRE staff
• Weekly seminars with staff and other experts on freedom of expression
• Travel and lodging covered for candidates invited to the final interview in Florida

What This Job Offers

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