America's Promise Alliance

Internship Program

America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth by raising awareness, supporting communities, and engaging in nonpartisan advocacy. Through our Grad Nation campaign, we harness the collective power of our partner network to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce. Building on the legacy of our Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, the Alliance believes the success of our young people is grounded in the Five Promises — caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others. 

Internship Positions Available

Internship opportunities vary throughout the year. 

Internship Program Overview

Intern Associates bring all of their interests and life experiences to bear on their work on behalf of Grad Nation and the Five Promises. Each day they conduct research, hold interviews, and attend meetings and presentations with partners, and they use their newfound knowledge to contribute to reports, websites, and bulletins highlighting the Alliance’s work. While each intern has a different focus, each is able to make an important contribution to the Alliance’s mission. Paired with a content-specific supportive staff person, each intern associate works towards substantive goals to aid the organizational mission. In addition to these goals, the internship includes a series of interactive experiences to foster understanding of current educational and community engagement issues. These activities might include attendance at the national convenings and partner events, book club or literature review, volunteering in the community, touring local initiatives and other elements. 

General requirements for Intern Associates:

• Interest in knowledge of education and other youth issues
• Excellent writing and research skills
• Ability to work in an office environment

General Information

Interns are expected to work between 20 and 40 hours a week during an 8 to 12 week internship period. Internships are offered during the Summer, Fall, and Winter/Spring semesters. Interns may receive academic credit if an agreement is made between the Human Resources Department and the interns’ college or university. 

Application Procedures

Candidates must complete an application form and submit it with their cover letter and resume.  Some internship positions require additional application items, such as a writing sample.  All application items must be submitted as a complete package.

Deadlines:  For the Summer program, applications are due by March 15; for the Fall program, applications are due by August 15; and for the Winter/Spring program, applications are due by November 15.

Testimonials from Past Intern Associates

It’s an organization that provides me with the opportunity to witness the exciting and complex issues surrounding education and youth, but also the responsibility to make my participation meaningful and rewarding.

--Tutrang Nguyen, Intern Associate, Summer 2011

America’s Promise Alliance places an emphasis on engaging youth to take action on behalf of their peers. An internship with the Alliance allows for real world job experience, while stimulating the interns to open up their eyes to the world around them.  Interning with America’s Promise Alliance is more than a summer job; it is the beginning of a life devoted to helping others succeed.

--Intern Written Wrap-up, Summer 2011

Through the Alliance, I was given a chance to voice out and share my ideas for bettering my generation and those to follow. America’s Promise Alliance opened doors for me to put my thoughts into actions. I’m going back home to California as an encouraged youth (as I would still like to think), more aware of the crises that lurk Los Angeles communities and deeply affect our Angelino youth. Grad Nation not only became a nationwide movement, it began to move me.

--Charlene Lopez, Intern Associate, Spring 2011

 

Impact Network

The Impact Network is the umbrella for all youth-related opportunities offered by America’s Promise Alliance. The internship program is a signature opportunity of this network. The Impact Network represents young leaders from across the nation, to unite and empower youth to take action through and with the support of Alliance partners to address the challenges facing their communities. Impact Network members are crucial contributors to the principal goal of America’s Promise Alliance -- leveraging the Five Promises framework to help America’s most disadvantaged youth and contribute to the Grad Nation campaign. Through the Network, young leaders amplify their impact by joining a national movement of civically-engaged peers who are taking action within local networks and communities to make a difference.

Other signature opportunities:

• Writer for the youth-focused Impact Network Monthly
• Member of the Board of Directors or Alliance Trustees
• Panel judge or reviewer for national competitions
• Event advisor, planner, or speaker