About the role
FUTURE LEADERS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Our Future Leaders Program is an opportunity to learn from our experts by working on timely and relevant public policy research or projects. The Future Leaders Program trains qualified candidates for a lifetime of influence in the center-right movement. We match our Future Leaders with a policy center director or senior fellow as their mentor to learn how to effect change using a variety of different tools and strategies including in-depth research, policy analysis, academic writing, commentary, and navigating the political landscape, all through a free market lens. Interns participate in Institute events for no fee and have a series of lunch meetings with VIPs, such as newspaper editors, radio personalities, key local leaders and elected officials.
HOW TO APPLY
Independence Institute has full and part-time internship positions available for winter, spring, summer, and fall. Quarter and other alternate semester schedules can be accommodated. Candidates have an opportunity to be considered for the Liberty Scholarship that provides funds to qualified interns.
We look for individuals who are free-market oriented. Areas of study considered are, but not limited to, political science, journalism and communications, public policy, philosophy, economics, education, environmental studies, nonprofit management, criminal justice, pre-law and law school students. Candidates must have strong oral and written communications skills, research skills, and be able to work effectively with a team as well as independently. Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
To ask questions or apply, please email documents to FutureLeaders@i2i.org
1. Your current resume 2. A cover letter to indicate why you are interested in an internship and what you hope to gain at Independence Institute 3. Completed application 4. Writing sample (approx. 10 pages) it could be something you have written for class 5. College and law school transcripts (if applicable) 6. List of three references
PAID INTERNSHIPS
KOCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Independence Institute partners with the Koch Internship Program (KIP) to offer internships with a weekly stipend. KIP combines an educational approach that puts the student in the driver's seat with hands-on work experience for future leaders interested in making a difference in the world.
Through KIP, interns learn about impactful careers in social entrepreneurship, where leaders who come from all walks of life use their unique gifts to advance positive changes in society and help people improve their lives. Click here for more information
The Independence Institute Liberty Scholarship, made possible by the generous support of Bob and Elaine Collins, provides paid internships at Independence Institute. The scholarship was founded to recognize extraordinary young people who have shown particular promise as they participate in the Future Leaders Program at Independence Institute.
POLICY CENTERS & PROJECTS
EDUCATION POLICY
An internship with the Education Policy Center provides an opportunity for college or graduate students to gain real-world experience at a state based think-tank. An intern most often acts as a research assistant and will be given some administrative duties including data entry, creating mailing lists, and event planning for the Education Policy Center. The mission of the Education Policy Center is to advance K-12 public policy that empowers parents with the freedom to choose the most beneficial form of education for their children, fosters the development of effective delivery and support systems that enhance student learning, and provides accountability for the productive use of taxpayer dollars directed to education.
ENERGY POLICY
An internship with the Energy Policy Center provides an opportunity for college or graduate students to gain real-world experience at a state-based think-tank. An intern most often acts as an energy policy research assistant. Projects can vary widely, and an intern should be prepared for diverse assignments of varying levels of complexity. The mission of the Energy Policy Center is to promote a free market in energy production, where no government action results in energy winners and losers. We advocate that government remain neutral and level the playing field; that way consumer can reap the benefits of a healthy energy market – competition, lower prices, and more options.
CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES
An internship in Constitutional Studies enables one to gain real-world experience in legal research, composing briefs and articles, and analogous skills. (Specific projects vary widely.) Interns serve as assistants to one of America's leading originalist constitutional scholars: a former law professor and historian whose amicus briefs and research articles have been cited frequently by justices and parties in the U.S. Supreme Court and in many other courts. Interns must have successfully completed a basic law school legal research course. Also, helpful, although not required, are research skills in such subjects as history, literature, technology, or economics.
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT PROJECT
As an intern in the Citizen Involvement Project, college and/or graduate students will gain experience in grassroots organizing. From researching boards and commissions to engaging citizens in activism, you will get hands on experience in cultivating community relationships. This also involves database management, drafting strategic messaging, and assisting in event planning. This internship will teach the skills necessary to be successful in many chosen career fields. A CIP intern will receive a well-rounded experience at Independence Institute as you learn about and be actively involved in the work within all policy centers.
FISCAL POLICY CENTER
The Fiscal Policy Center produces substantive policy analysis, educates the public on its findings, and promotes fiscal policy ideas cen