Overview
Through the years, CDF-Texas has been honored to welcome dozens of gifted college and graduate-level students as interns to advance our mission to ensure children across Texas a Healthy Start, a Safe Start, a Fair Start, a Head Start and a Moral Start to life.
We are proud to house an intentional, structured internship program where students get firsthand experience with professional advocacy, affecting policy change, working with young people, and more, while being connected with one of the most powerful networks in the nonprofit world. Interns are vital to CDF-Texas’s work, and we are pleased to play a role in supporting the next generation of change-makers. Learn more at Internships at CDF-Texas.
Internship Details
- Timeframe: Fall term, Late August through Mid-December
- Compensation: $15/hour for up to 20 hours/week
- Deadlines: Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of August 21 at 11:59pm.
- Location: All internships will be virtual through fall 2021. The Youth Programs intern may be asked to coordinate occasional in-person events in Houston.
Application Components
- Application form
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Finalists will be asked to interview
- Finalists will be asked to submit a brief professional writing sample
Our Internships
Health Care Policy Internship
Position Summary
This internship is based in Austin (remote during the pandemic) and provides general support to the CDF-TX Health Care team. The intern works 20 hours/week and provides substantive research, compiles reports, monitors legislative committees, and helps with the execution of advocacy-related activities, including story collection, public education, legislator visits, legislative briefings, special event planning, and social media work.
Responsibilities
- Produce policy research, memos, and training material
- Conduct research on state and federal healthcare policy, state lawmakers, media trends, and other subjects as needed
- Coordinate meetings with state lawmakers and their staff
- Collaborate with partners on coalition-wide activities
- Assist in the development and execution of special projects, such as the #SickofitTX Campaign
- Perform other division, department, and organization-wide projects as needed
- Assist in maintaining CDF’s social media platforms
Competencies
- Ability to work effectively and calmly in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Strong organizational and execution skills
- Attention to detail
- Commitment to social advocacy and CDF’s mission to be a voice for all children
- Ability to organize facts and present issues in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to interact diplomatically and professionally with CDF staff and external partners/contacts
- Strong computer, Internet and research skills
Type of work environment associated with the job: Indoor, office setting
Youth Civic Education and Engagement Internship
Position Summary
The internship is based in Austin (remote during the COVID-19 pandemic) and provides general support for the CDF-TX Youth Civic Education and Engagement initiative. The intern works 20 hours/week supporting both our policy and organizing work to increase youth civic education and engagement. The youth civic engagement intern provides substantive policy research and reports and monitors legislative committees and the State Board of Education on improving youth civic engagement and education in Texas. Additionally, the intern assists with outreach to partners and school districts to encourage the prioritization of culturally sustaining civic education in Texas’ public school classrooms. The intern also supports outreach to young people statewide to support our Young Advocates campaign, as well as provides critical support in developing training and events to increase young people’s knowledge of and engagement with state legislative and local civic processes.
Responsibilities
- Plans civic engagement opportunities with and for youth.
- Conducts research on public policy, media trends and other subjects as needed.
- Writes policy briefs and training material.
- Assists in the development and execution of special projects.
- Assist in maintaining CDF’s social media platforms.
Competencies
- Ability to work effectively and calmly in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and ability to multi-task.
- Strong organizational and execution skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Commitment to social advocacy and CDF’s mission to be a voice for all children.
- Ability to organize facts and present issues in a clear, concise and logical manner, both orally and in writing.
- Good interpersonal skills and high degree of professionalism.
- Strong computer, Internet and research skills.
Type of work environment associated with the job: Indoor, office setting
Youth Programs Internship
Position Summary
The internship is based in Houston and provides general support for CDF-TX Youth Programs, especially the CDF Beat the Odds® Scholarship Program and its corresponding initiatives. The intern works 20 hours/week to support scholarship application and administration; fundraiser event planning; ongoing donor engagement; BTO alumni network growth; and youth civic education and engagement expansion to the greater Houston area; as well as other duties as assigned by Youth Programs Coordinator (YPC).
Responsibilities
- Develop relationships among current BTO honorees
- Help plan events for BTO alumni
- Aid in producing monthly BTO Network News email newsletter
- Assist in mentoring program and process
- Communicate regularly with BTO honorees via text and/or social media
- Support fundraiser event planning efforts as needed
- Provide administrative support to BTO application process
- Explore ways to expand the BTO program and raise up the next generation of advocates
- Meet with YPC weekly to set agenda, determine priorities and/or provide updates on assignments
Education and/or Experience
- High school diploma, pursuing or recently completed a college degree
- Previous internship/work experience in a professional setting a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- BTO Alumni will be given preference
Competencies
- Commitment to social advocacy and CDF mission to be a voice for all children
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Ability to meet students where they are and create content relevant to them for the purpose of connection
- Ability to work effectively and calmly in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and ability to multi-task
- Attention to detail, strong work ethic
- Strong computer, Internet and research skills
- Familiarity with social media
Personal Characteristics
- Good interpersonal skills and high degree of professionalism
- Ideally looking for someone in a similar stage of life as our BTO scholars: college age or just out of college
- Creative, energetic and positive personality with a passion for serving young people
- Able to work independently
- Access to reliable transportation to help transport students as needed
Type of work environment associated with the job
Largely an indoor, office setting, though work from home is definitely feasible
Occasional attendance at events that may be outdoor or require minor physical activity