Advocacy and Communications Intern

Are you a creative, passionate, and results-driven student interested in advocacy and public policy? The AARP Minnesota Team is looking for you! Our develops, advocates for, and implements policies to improve people's lives as they age and help build a better tomorrow for future generations. We'll challenge you to think and work innovatively on real-world projects. AARP is committed to your growth and cultivating your continued learning and development. This paid internship has an anticipated start date of June 2024 and will go through the end of the year, with the possibility of extending additional semesters.

Responsibilities:

• Apply strategic, analytical, and creative thinking to help promote policy issues on family caregiving, health and welfare, and retirement security 
• Engage in the communications strategies to advance these issues and the events organized as part of these efforts 
• Research policy issues, draft documents to support our advocacy efforts, participate in team meetings and strategy discussions, collaborate in communications tactics, and engage in a support role for various remote and in-person events 
• Work with advocacy staff and volunteers to plan and implement state and federal legislative grassroots advocacy tactics and non-partisan voter engagement activities 
• Monitor legislative activities and research policy issues. 
• Enhance AARP’s social media presence by creating and posting relevant and timely content 
• Produce and distribute materials for legislators, the media, members, and the public 
• Design visuals to support advocacy promotional efforts (e.g., event fliers, online images, etc.) 
• Write and edit press releases and articles for the state website, blog entries, email communications, action alerts, letters to the editor, and other articles, focusing on AARP’s policy issues and voter engagement efforts 
• Research background information for talking points and other communications needs, as needed by staff

• The ideal candidate will be currently enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university, be considered a rising undergraduate junior or senior, graduate student, or post-doctoral student, and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship 
• Pursuing a degree in public policy, political science, nonprofit management, communications, marketing, journalism, or related fields 
• Prior experience in issue and/or legislative advocacy, although not required, would be helpful 
• Strong time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects to achieve deadlines 
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with social media tools 
• Research and analytical skills 
• Interest in aging, nonprofits, communications/public relations, and political issues 
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills to work well with team members while being flexible and adaptable to work on independent projects 
• Must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours a week 

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

The hourly range is $18 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.