Internships with the Middle East Program

Internship Description

Interns will be assigned to work directly with the Middle East Program Staff in support of project activities for 20 hours per week. 

Selected candidates to the Middle East Program paid internship will gain hands-on experience at one of the world’s most premier think tanks, as well as exposure to leading international public policy experts and practitioners. Interns will also gain insight into the dynamics and operations of policymaking, the private sector, activism, and academia, as the Middle East Program strives to elevate the voices and experiences of diverse communities in the region. The selection committee prioritizes candidates who have a demonstrated interest or experience in Middle East-related issues and policy, and seek to refine their professional capabilities.

Internships are in-person and interns must be based in Washington, D.C. or the DMV area for the duration of their internships.

Internship Duties

Administrative and Logistical (40% of workload):

• Proofread and publish articles, event announcements, and updates on the Middle East Program website;
• Help Program Staff manage and update contact list database;
• Maintain Middle East Program website;
• Assist Program staff in preparing public events, including managing mailing lists, RSVPs, and messaging.

Research and Written (40% of workload):

• Produce an independent research project based on an approved topic of the intern’s choice to be published as an op-ed on the Middle East Program’s Viewpoints series;
• Execute short- and long-term projects for Program staff, including data collection and analysis;
• Analyze, summarize and file research materials;
• Proofread, edit written, and publish written work on the website.

Social Media and Communications (20% of workload):

• Draft emails to the Program’s distribution list with event announcements and published material;
• Prepare visual content in the form of audiograms, promotional videos, and infographics;
• Post publication, event, and Program updates to Twitter and Facebook.

Eligibility Requirements

• A demonstrated interest in the Middle East, preferably with some coursework related to, and/or experience working on Middle East issues;
• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills;
• Strong writing and editing capabilities;
• Experience with managing social media accounts and/or producing promotional images and videos is preferred but not required;
• Strong communication skills;
• Advanced skills in Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi, Turkish, or Kurdish preferred but not required. 
• Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, a recent graduate (within the last year), and/or have been accepted to enter an advanced degree program.

International students are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and obtain appropriate work authorization. All international students must provide written permission from their Designated School Official or Responsible Visa Officer 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

Application Deadlines

Fall: July 15
Spring: November 15
Summer: March 15

Application Procedure

To apply, send your resume, a letter describing how you could contribute to our team and what you are looking to gain from the internship, and a 5-7 page writing sample (can be an excerpt of a longer paper). Please submit all application materials as PDFs only and as a single file. In the subject line please write your last name and for which internship cycle you are applying. For example: "Smith Internship Application Summer 2023." Also, clearly state what dates and times you are available to work, and whether you are based in Washington, D.C.

All materials should be submitted together by the internship deadline via e-mail to: mep@wilsoncenter.org. We will contact only those we wish to interview for a position.

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