Join the Words Alive Team
Internship Opportunities - Detailed Description
POSITION: Storytelling (Communications) Intern (unpaid)
COMPENSATION: Unpaid internship; volunteer position
SCHEDULE: ~10-20 hours/week; 3-6 months, preference for an academic semester. Must be available on most Mondays from 11am-12pm. Most internship hours should be during business hours.
LOCATION: Must be U.S. based; San Diego strongly preferred. Virtual and in-person options.
REPORTS TO: Institutional Giving and Donor Communications Coordinator
WHO WE ARE: Words Alive connects children, teens, and families to the power of reading. We serve historically underserved students of all ages and their families throughout San Diego County. Each year, we serve 5,000 children, teens, and families facing extraordinary circumstances such as unstable housing, poverty, foster care, and impact by the justice system.
WHO YOU ARE: Our ideal candidate:
Is excited about capturing and amplifying stories from volunteers, students, and staff, to be shared through a range of distribution channels;
Is eager to do meaningful work, try new things, and meet new people;
Continually is learning and craves hands-on opportunities to try what they have learned;
Has a strong desire to build more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible communities;
Wants to participate in workshops and sessions to help them better navigate their professional career;
Is deeply motivated by the power of reading!
POSITION OVERVIEW: Words Alive is seeking an energetic, responsible intern with strong writing and organizational skills to help us tell the Words Alive story through compelling stories and with the support of passionate volunteers. At Words Alive, we know that the power of a good story has the ability to change lives. Our Storytelling Intern has an opportunity to build a team of volunteers who can capture and organize mission moments across the organization, and then work to disseminate these mission moments to the Words Alive community.
INTERN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The focus of this internship can be tailored to meet the academic and professional pursuits of a candidate. For example, it could be focused on editorial content management, internal communications, web/social media, public relations, video storytelling, or several other specialty fields. In general, the internship focuses on:
Storytelling (65%)
Develop, or guide the development of, written and/or video content that best portrays Words Alive’s stories to various audiences, including volunteers, supporters/donors, educational partners, teachers, families, and the public.
With staff, curate and manage Words Alive’s messaging calendar, including organizing and aligning communications channels.
Help train, onboard, and manage volunteers necessary to deliver storytelling/mission moments and help the team stay motivated and engaged. This includes volunteers supporting our newsletters and blog.
Input, organize, and analyze information, records, and data about the efficacy of communications channels and make recommendations for improvement.
Complete Special Project(s) (20%)
In addition to supporting our organization’s programs and operations, we provide interns with the opportunity to focus on at least one major strategy, project, or contribution. Focus areas and major projects for this internship might include developing and implementing:
Public relations, media outreach, and/or general communications strategy and support around a specific event or campaign
A strategy to mobilize youth to create and disseminate content
Analysis of accessibility of content for various users and make recommendations for improvement
Creation of video content highlighting Words Alive’s programs, volunteers, funders, and events
Another project in discussion with supervisor.
Grow Professionally (10%)
Work on a hybrid (remote/in-person) team; learn about remote and in-office work.
Learn how to navigate databases and online platforms.
Create presentations, reports, memos, and/or materials that can be used by executives.
Participate in workshops, seminars, and career building activities.
Attend regular staff and department meetings, events, etc.
Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
We are looking for candidates who:
Have a high school degree or equivalent
Provide their own computer and have reliable access to the internet
Have proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive & Zoom
Have proficient written and verbal communication skills
Are self-directed and able to work without supervision
Are energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas
We prefer candidates who:
Are looking to enter a career in communications, public relations, fundraising, marketing, media, social media, copywriting, brand, web content, nonprofit management, or a related field.
Have some volunteer experience with a nonprofit organization
Have some post-high school education, service, or work experience
Have lived experiences aligned with our mission, have participated in Words Alive’s programming, or volunteered with us.
WORDS ALIVE VALUES & CULTURE
At Words Alive, our programs and impact made in the community are driven by our core values, which represent the motivation, dedication, and focus of our Words Alive staff and volunteers. Our values include:
Commitment: by pledging to make reading matter for everyone
Equitability: by working to level the playing field
Empowerment: by investing in lifelong learners
Responsiveness: by listening to community needs and developing innovative solutions
Collaboration: by partnering with the community
Connectedness: by creating a familial environment that includes all Words Alive participants and support
TO APPLY: Carefully review this description to ensure it is a good fit. Send us 1) a letter or introductory video sharing why you’d like to work with Words Alive, and 2) a resume or summary of experiences qualifying you for this position via email to: [email protected].
Start Dates: Spring 2025, Summer 2025