Internships with the Environmental Change and Security Program

Internship Description

Internships with the Environmental Change and Security Program are designed to provide the opportunity for interns to:

• Contribute to our award-winning blog, New Security Beat
• Network with leading experts in the environment, development, and security field
• Work closely with the dynamic “Green Team” at the Wilson Center

ECSP's internships are currently hybrid. Interns must be based in the Washington, D.C. area for the duration of their internship to assist with in-person events and work from the Wilson Center office 2-3 days per week. 

The application for the Spring 2025 internship cycle has closed. Please check back in February for more information on the summer internship application cycle.

Please direct any questions to Claire.Doyle@wilsoncenter.org.

Internship Duties

Administrative Support (40%):

• Assist in the planning and implementation of events, conferences, and podcasts, including drafting website pages, editing podcasts, and supporting with ad-hoc event preparation; 
• Post New Security Beat blogs through WordPress;
• Help track key dates, international days, experts, and research, relevant to ECPS's focus areas.

Researching and Writing (30%): 

• Research and write stories for New Security Beat and ECSP’s website, including event summaries, ECSP's Weekly Watch;
• Produce an independent research project to be published on New Security Beat; 
• Research environment, security, development, global health, and demography topics in support of program-related activities; 
• Gather, summarize, and share 2-3 daily headlines. 

Social Media and Communications (30%): 

• Draft posts and social media toolkits to promote events, publications, and New Security Beatcontent on ECSP’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram); 
• Draft email blasts to ECPS's lists to promote events, publications, and content;
• Prepare visual content in the form of Canva graphics, short videos, and infographics.

Eligibility Requirements

• A demonstrated interest in environmental and human security or related fields;
• Excellent research and writing skills; 
• Experience with managing social media accounts and/or producing content is preferred but not required;
• Applicants should be students, prospective students (within the next year), and/or recent graduates (within the last year);
• Interns must be based in the Washington, D.C. area during the period of their internship.

In addition, applicants should be detail-oriented and demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as part of a group. 

An individual selected for an internship will be expected to present proper evidence establishing his or her eligibility to work in the United States prior to being appointed. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to hire only individuals who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note that we cannot sponsor a visa for you to work in the United States.

International students are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and appropriate work authorization.  All international students must obtain written permission from their Designated School Official (DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) for visas at their university stating that they are in valid immigration status and eligible to do an internship at the Center.

Internship Terms

Fall: September - December
Spring: January - April
Summer: May – August

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and short writing sample 2-5 pages in length via e-mail to ecsp@wilsoncenter.org. The writing sample can be an excerpt from a longer piece and will ideally demonstrate the candidate's familiarity with researching and writing on topics related or adjacent to ECSP's focus areas. 

In the subject line, please write your last name and the internship cycle, for example  "Doyle Spring 2025 Staff Assistant Internship."

The Wilson Center is an equal opportunity employer and follows equal opportunity employment guidelines in the selection of its interns.