Communications Internship – Summer 2025

Status and Location: Part-time, Washington, D.C. (hybrid)

Reports to: Senior Communications Associate

FLSA Salary Classification: Non-exempt

Salary: $20/hour

Position Summary:

Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) seeks an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in an accredited college/university program, for its summer 2025 Communications internship. This is a hybrid position that requires working from PRRI’s office in Washington, D.C. two days per week. Interns aid in all aspects of the communications process. The Communications intern helps promote PRRI research and increase brand recognition by assisting with digital content creation, including drafting daily and monthly email newsletters, media monitoring, and more. This is a paid internship for a maximum of 20 hours per week and may qualify for course credit, depending on the candidate’s institution; internship is only available for residents of Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia.

Responsibilities:

Monitor press coverage and assist in recording all media mentions in an internal database,

Curate, draft, edit, and format content for email newsletters, social media, and other digital communications products designed to inform and engage PRRI’s target audiences,

Assist with various short research and writing projects, and with online and/or in-person events,

Attend internal meetings of the Communications team and across teams, and

Other duties in support of the Communications, Research, or Operations & People teams.

Qualifications:

Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program in journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, or political science, or related field; for undergraduate applicants, students in their junior or senior year preferred,

Self-motivated, detail-oriented, organized, and responsible,

Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and research skills,

Experience with proofreading and copyediting,

Ability to learn quickly, work both independently and with a team, and manage time well,

Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and,

Experience or interest in email marketing, social media, website editing and/or CMS a plus.

Benefits:

Paid internship with a professional and friendly communications team,

Improve – or acquire – the skills needed to draft, edit, and publish effective digital content,

Attain a better understanding of strategic communications and engagement – including the relationship between press, partnerships, and digital communications, including social media, and,

Gain access to network connections and career mentoring.

Internship Dates:

This is an internship for the summer of 2025. Based on mutual agreement, the intern should be able to work up to 20 hours per week for a minimum of 10 weeks with a tentative start date of May 19, 2025. Please indicate how many hours you want to work per week in your cover letter. Specific work hours and start date, as well as arrangements for office and/or virtual work, will be determined between the intern and their supervisor at the time of onboarding.

Instructions for Applying:

Candidates should submit the following documents in Word or PDF via this application:

Resume with name, contact information, and relevant coursework or experience (maximum one page),

Cover letter that addresses why you are interested and discusses any relevant coursework or experience (maximum one page); candidate submissions without a cover letter will not be considered.

A short writing sample (less than three pages) written by you that demonstrates an aptitude to communicate clearly on a particular topic (a paper you have written for a class is welcome),

An example of a short-form, digital communication product that you have written or created (such as a tweet or other social media post, mass email, text-based graphic, or a video you’ve edited), and,

One letter of reference from a professor at your institution (maximum one page).

The deadline to submit applications is March 14, 2025. If you will need course credit or specific arrangements with your institution, please note that in your cover letter.

About PRRI:

PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), founded in 2009, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to conducting independent research at the intersection of religion, culture, and public policy. PRRI research explores and illuminates America’s changing cultural, religious, and political landscape. The organization’s mission is to help journalists, scholars, thought leaders, clergy, and the public better understand debates on public policy issues, and the important cultural and religious dynamics shaping American society and politics.

PRRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability status, sexual orientation, or gender identity of an otherwise qualified individual, or membership in any other class protected by District of Columbia law. PRRI hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Flexible work from home options available.