How To Get Involved

Internship Program Overview

Qualifications

Program Areas

Graduate Assistantships

Internship Sessions

Program Highlights

Applications Procedures

FAQ

Internship Program Opportunities

Operations Overview and Other Areas

Conference and Events Services, Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising, Public Information, Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

Without support from the Operational and Other Areas within The Carter Center, the program work in Peace and Health would not be possible.  The staff in these areas collaborate with the programs to ensure that the mission of the Center is effectively implemented.

Program Preferences:

• Strong academic record with displayed interest in the program of your choice
• English proficiency
• Basic technological proficiency (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Internet)
• Real-world experience: previous work/internship experience and/or study abroad
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Creative, industrious, flexible

Internship positions are available in the following programs:

• Conference and Events Services: Works with every program and department within The Carter Center, and with outside clients, to execute high-level, high-profile events.
  
  
• Educational Programs: Ensures that the Internship Program upholds its integrity during the selection process, supports new interns through orientation, and fosters professional development through a variety of learning opportunities.
  
  
• Institutional Development/Fundraising: Researches potential funding prospects and initiates relationships through letters, proposals, phone calls, and meetings in order to support Carter Center Peace and Health programs through financial and in-kind resources from foreign governments, U.S. government agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.
• Annual Fund/Ambassadors Circle
  
• Health Programs Development
  
• Major Gifts Research
  
• Peace Programs Development
  
  
• Public Information: Directs and implements all facets of institutional communications for The Carter Center through publishing and writing, or publicity and media relations.
  
  
• Research: Supports President Carter and The Carter Center on such broad subjects as federal election reform, the environment, religion, politics, and history.
  
  
• Volunteer Services/Art Collection: Collects and preserves the growing art collection of The Carter Center as well as works closely with the Center's broad volunteer base.

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Conference and Events Services

Conference and Events Services,Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising, Public Information, Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

The Conference and Events Services Office supports Carter Center programs and departments by planning and executing conferences, media events, and social events to meet Center objectives. The Events Office works with every program and department at the Center, and with outside clients, to execute high-level, high-profile events. This department also markets Carter Center facilities to outside organizations, assisting in planning and hosting events at many locations.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1

Program Preferences:

• Students with a background in the hospitality industry (catering, hotel, or conference centers), marketing, or management are preferred
• Good communication skills, particularly on the phone, are important

Typical Projects:

• Assist in executing events
• Work with the event sponsors
• Conduct site visits
• Attend pre-conference meetings
• Respond to requests for information from outside clients
• Maintain events' files, as well as client and financial databases
• Update and disseminate event information to The Carter Center as a whole

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Educational Programs

Conference and Events Services,Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising, Public Information, Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

The primary focus of Educational Programs is the Internship Program. A two-person program staff, with the help of an intern, ensures that the Internship Program upholds its integrity during the selection process, supports new interns through orientation, and fosters professional development through a variety of learning opportunities. In addition to supporting the Internship Program, Educational Programs hosts forums for college and high school groups interested in learning about the Center's programs.

Each session, Educational Programs conducts a series of activities designed to enrich the intern experience, such as an intern retreat and an excursion to Plains, Ga. (home of the Carters).  Education also organizes worthwhile group endeavors, like visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. site or volunteering for community service projects.  Finally, Educational Programs administers evaluations to ensure that interns derive value from their time at the Center and can inform the Internship Program's further evolution.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1

Program Preferences:

• Interest in careers in student affairs administration, nonprofit management, or international affairs
• Dynamic writing and computer savvy are invaluable
• A strong academic record
• Creative, organized, and flexible
• Fully possessed of an understanding of common developmental concerns facing undergraduate and graduate students
• Must enjoy socializing with college-age people
• Interest in the work of the program as well as the overall vision of The Carter Center
• Ability to complete projects

Typical Projects:

• Versatile tasks ranging from complex problem-solving to basic logistics
• Web site maintenance
• Drafting letters
• Initiating and overseeing outreach into the community
• Helping with presentations for school groups
• Assisting with the intern selection process
• Coordinating marketing efforts at universities in coordination with the public information department, university career centers, and campus newspapers
• Creating online surveys for current interns, intern alumni, and supervisors to measure program outcomes
• Assembling a biweekly intern newsletter to inform interns about Atlanta

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Institutional Development/Fundraising*

Conference and Events Services, Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising, Public Information, Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

The Office of Institutional Development/Fundraising supports Carter Center Peace and Health programs by generating project-specific financial and in-kind resources from foreign governments, U.S. government agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.  Staff researches potential funding prospects and initiates relationships through letters, proposals, phone calls, and meetings.  The development department maintains long-term relationships with more than 150 program donors.

Development staff must have extensive knowledge of Carter Center goals and activities in program countries.  In addition, they must stay abreast of the assistance policies and internal politics of donor nations as well as current corporate and foundation philanthropic news and initiatives.

Internship positions are available to support the following development departments:

• Annual Fund: Assist efforts to raise unrestricted funds by marketing the annual fund through the Ambassadors Circle. Provide event support for donors participating in the annual Executive Briefing and Visit to Plains. Play an active role in the event planning process, strategy meetings, site visits, and communication among staff internally. Check the event hotline daily and staff the four-day event (April 21-23, 2010), including evening and overnight hours, as required. Also help with donor and prospect research, communication materials, and other duties as assigned. Work environment is fast-paced. Computer proficiency and attention to details are required.
  
  
• Health Programs Development: Maintain relationships with foundations, corporations, and government donors to the health programs through timely submission of proposals, financial and narrative reports, and other correspondence, often under tight deadlines.  Work closely with finance and health program staff on proposals, reports, and funding strategies.
  
  
• Major Gifts Research: Conduct research to identify individual donors, foundations, and corporations who can give larger-size gifts by reviewing Foundation Center materials, wealth directories, philanthropic annual reports, and general press.  Compile individual profiles of donor prospects for use by giving officers, executive office staff, and President and Mrs. Carter. Support events such as the Executive Briefing, Winter Weekend, and Board of Councilors meeting, including compiling profiles of up to 200 attendees and assisting with attendees and guests.
  
  
• Peace Programs Development: The intern working in peace development manages the relationship of foundation, corporation, and government donors to the Center's international peace programs. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to raise money to support a nonprofit organization through grant and proposal writing and research. The funds raised benefit the Human Rights, Democracy, Conflict Resolution, China, and Americas programs.

*Please note that while you only have the opportunity to apply to the Office of Institutional Development as a whole, you may choose to indicate in your short essay if you have a preference for a specific department.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1 per department

Program Preferences:

• Coursework in English, international development, international finance and economics, international affairs, public health, public policy, philanthropy, business, scientific and technical writing, library sciences, and/or nonprofit management
• Familiarity with or interest in one or more of the following issues:  foreign aid, mental health, international health, disease control, corporate philanthropy, democracy, civil society, human rights, and conflict resolution
• Relevant experience:  research and technical writing, work in procurement/ contracting, fundraising, or other work with nonprofit organizations
• Exceptional writing and research skills
• Extensive experience with Internet resources and electronic databases
• Proficiency with Access or another contact database
• Availability to work 30-40 hours per week
• Creative and entrepreneurial
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team in a deadline-driven environment

Typical Projects:

• Research potential funding prospects
• Monitor international giving trends, development/humanitarian assistance approaches, and the work of similar nonprofit organizations
• Write/edit letters, articles, reports, and proposals
• Write talking points and briefing memoranda for executive staff
• Assist with donor mailings and other correspondence
• Support efforts to raise unrestricted funds by marketing the annual fund through the Ambassadors Circle.  Provide event support for donors participating in the annual Executive Briefing and Visit to Plains, Ga.

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Public Information

Conference and Events Services, Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising, Public Information, Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

The Office of Public Information directs and implements all facets of institutional communications for The Carter Center. The office, with an intern's assistance, handles all media, publicity, and publications editing, layout, and publishing for The Carter Center. Applicants should indicate their preferred area of focus: publishing, or publicity and media relations.  For a publishing and writing focus, an internship is available with the publications manager, working on a publication project.

Number of Interns per Semester:  1-2

Program Preferences:

• Strong interest and experience in journalism or public relations
• News reporting skills
• Advanced research and writing skills
• Working knowledge of AP language and proofreading style
• Strong proofreading skills
• Experience in events management or events planning
• Highly organized, efficient work style

Typical Projects:

• Assist with ongoing office projects and special projects or events
• Scan newspapers, magazines, and Internet sites for news coverage of The Carter Center
• Maintain databases of media contacts
• Write short articles for the in-house newsletter, "Centerpiece"
• Research information for press releases or articles
• Respond to public requests for information
• Maintain office archives of print and photo coverage
• Assist with compilation of materials into media kits
• Drafting documents of the media such as fact sheets, press releases, and bios of experts

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Research

Conference and Events Services, Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising, Public Information, Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

The Research intern will assist Carter Center research director with work on a wide range of topics.  The director of research supports President Carter and The Carter Center on such broad subjects as federal election reform, the environment, religion, politics, and history.  This person works with President Carter on his academic relationships and his publications.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1

Program Preferences:

• Excellent knowledge of international affairs, government, and history
• Skilled in research and writing
• Well-organized

Typical Projects:

• Projects vary considerably depending on what President Carter is pursuing
• Recent topics have included the Arab-Israeli conflict, the relationship between religion and ecology, best practices in economic development, and the life of President Gerald Ford
• Organizing files
• Compiling and annotating bibliographies

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Volunteer Services/Art Collection

Conference and Events Services, Educational Programs,   
 Institutional Development/Fundraising,Public Information,Research,
Volunteer Services/Art Collection

Volunteer Services/Art Collection is responsible for the professional care of the Carter Center's growing art collection. The collection consists of a rich and diverse range of artwork that has been given to President and Mrs. Carter or to The Carter Center. This intern will also work closely with Volunteer Services.  There are approximately 130 volunteers who support the work of the Center.

Number of Interns per Semester:  1

Program Preferences:

• Background in museum studies or art history
• An interest in museum registration, education, and/or curatorial work
• Advanced research and writing skills
• Experience working with databases is desirable

Typical Projects:

• Assist in registration and management of the Center's art collection
• Maintain computerized and written records
• Catalog new acquisitions as well as assist with inventory or appraisal
• Work on installation and minor conservation of art
• Collection research and appraisal assistance
• Write short articles for the in-house newsletter, "Centerpiece"
• Work on docent training materials

 

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