Hybrid Internships
Join the Latin America Working Group (LAWG) as an Advocacy Intern and assist with our efforts to promote a human rights-based approach to U.S. policy towards Latin America.
You will gain:
-An understanding of politics, economics, social issues, and human rights in Latin America;
-Exposure to how the federal government works and how foreign policy is made;
-Experience working in a professional environment through the lens of a D.C.-based nonprofit; and skills in online grassroots political organizing.
-First hand experience practicing emotional intelligence and intercultural communication.
The internship includes some administrative tasks, but leans more heavily to programmatic ones. The office is fast paced, but staff are friendly and approachable. Interns work closely with staff on all four campaigns, doing what is necessary as it arises. but are not limited to:
-Assisting in research and writing of blog posts and other literature.
-Attending meetings and congressional hearings, posting to social media, and assisting staff with daily and long-term projects.
-Attending meetings with human rights defenders, congressional hearings and meet advocacy delegations.
Important information:
-Due to the administrative nature of the internship we do not accept students at the Masters level and are searching to support those at the start of their academic and professional careers.
-Interns will receive a $1,500 stipend, and internships are eligible for academic credit. Interns are encouraged to work a minimum of 20 hours per week preferably across everyday of the work week Monday-Friday.
Application Instructions:
All documents should be uploaded in a single pdf.
- Resume
- Cover letter that states:
- Why you are specifically interested in LAWG’s work
- Why you are qualified for the position, including relevant coursework, experience, or study abroad
- Writing sample
- 2-3 pages maximum (can be excerpt) in English that focuses on a relevant topic (Latin America, U.S. policy towards Latin America, human rights issues, advocacy). It can be an academic paper, blog post, or news article.
- Optional: Additional writing sample in Spanish with the same qualifications as above.
- Two references with:
- Capacity in which you worked with them
- Email and phone number
Complete applications should be submitted through our online application form before the deadline.
*Due to the number of applications you will only receive an email if we wish to interview you*
Application Deadlines:
- March 24: Summer Internship (late May/early June to mid-August)
- July 23: Fall Internship (late August/early September to mid-December)
- November 14: Spring Internship (mid-January to mid-May)
Access the internship application
Past Intern Testimonials:
“My time at LAWG has been a fulfilling blend of managerial tasks and advocacy. In previous internships, I had limited exposure to the nonprofit sector. In LAWG, I have felt both as an agent that promotes expansion of human rights, but also as a student that is developing a better understanding of the political institutions that influence Latin American policy. Every week, the new news and events maintain that my perspective of the world is grounded, and focused on the human rights issues that I care about. Many of these issues are personal to me; I partly grew up in Mexico and being able to write about, and be a part of, movements that work to solve problems that I have seen in my community is emotionally gratifying. The empathy LAWG has towards my community, and the community of other Latin American countries makes me hopeful that one day everyone will be empathetic to the struggles of others, and work towards creating better communities.”
–Teodoro Garcia, Georgetown University, Fall 2022
My internship at LAWG opened my mind to how U.S-based advocacy organizations link U.S. politicians and policies with the voices of people in Latin America that experience the policies’ effects. Building on the theoretical issues I study in my international studies and political science classes, I gained a deeper understanding of how historical dynamics and complicated relationships interact to create challenges for communities throughout the Western Hemisphere. I put my growing knowledge into practice by adopting the language of advocacy while creating social media posts, writing a blog about migrant shelters in Mexico, and developing office skills such as project management. I am lucky to have been able to learn from the LAWG Staff, LAWG’S partners, and others in the field of advocacy and Latin American policy who truly want to generate positive change for everyone in the region. I feel tremendously more educated and prepared to contribute meaningfully in my classes and future workplaces.
– Emily Froude, Miami University, Spring 2020
When I started my internship at LAWG, I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of current U.S. policy toward Cuba, Central America, and Mexico, and how NGOs are working to address the shortcomings/injustices of those policies. I also wanted to get acquainted with the world of human rights advocacy in D.C. I can truly say that my summer at LAWG gave me both of those things and more. Curating LAWG’s social media accounts had me constantly reading news articles and reports on Latin American affairs, which contributed hugely to my understanding of both the human rights situation in there and the policy decisions surrounding it. Helping with action alerts, petitions, and dear colleague letters to Congress introduced me to some of the specific strategies that NGOs use to influence policy. Writing a blog about US-Cuba relations helped guide my further learning and research on Cuba, as well as hone my language to be more specific to advocacy. LAWG also gave me access to a wealth of interesting panels, events, and lectures around D.C. featuring politicians, advocates, and journalists from all over the Americas and the political spectrum. Getting to hear so many perspectives on Latin American politics was a huge contributor to my personal learning. And perhaps best of all, I got to work alongside and observe the amazing ladies of LAWG, who were always so willing to include me in projects, answer my questions, and listen to my input. Overall, I learned so much about the region as a whole, and I feel better prepared to defend my own views and contribute to Latin America/US policy work in the future.
– Ellie Schwartz, Bowdoin College, Summer 2017
