Get Involved - Carter Center Internship Program

Internships

Internship Program Opportunities:
Operations Overview and Other Areas

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

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
Estate & Gift Planning
Direct Marketing

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.
Art Collection/Volunteer Services: 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,
Art Collection/Volunteer Services

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 external clients with planning and executing their events within The Carter Center facilities.

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, both written and verbal, are important
Attention to detail, appreciation of critical path and thorough follow-through are critical

Typical Projects:

Assist Events staff in executing events
Work with external 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
Update Events-specific Facebook page

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Educational Programs

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

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, such as 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
Website maintenance
Drafting letters and e-mails
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
Coordinating intern activities

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Institutional Development/Fundraising*

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

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: As a Health Programs development intern, you would join a dynamic team that is tasked with raising support for The Carter Center's Health Programs from foundations, corporations, and governments. Knowledge of global health issues and neglected tropical diseases will be strengthened, while gaining insight into the world of fundraising for an international nonprofit. Responsibilities may include editing grant proposals and reports; conducting research on prospective donor institutions and writing briefing reports; drafting Web content; attending Health Program review meetings; interacting with Finance and other departments; drafting correspondence on behalf of Carter Center executives; and completing other writing-intensive tasks. Experience or interest in the global health field is highly desirable.
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 conducts research on the relationship of foundation, corporation, and government donor priorities 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.
Estate & Gift Planning: The Estate and Gift Planning intern supports fundraising efforts for the Carter Center's Legacy Circle. This is a giving club comprised of people who want to support The Carter Center after they pass away. Some Legacy Circle donors remember The Carter Center in their wills, some establish charitable gift annuities, and others create trusts.

The intern conducts donor research, prepares materials, writes and edits letters and reports, and keeps database software current. The intern also provides support for events such as Conversations at The Carter Center, Executive Briefing, and Board of Councilors Meetings.

Because there is the possibility for interacting with potential and current donors, the intern needs to be well versed and up-to-date on all of the Carter Center's programs. Candidates should be detail-oriented, excel at time management, skilled writers/editors, and computer proficient.

For information on estate and gift planning, please go to www.cartercenter.org/legacy.
Direct Marketing: Work with team responsible for raising funds from small sum donors (less than $1000) through direct mail and online communications.

Learn the basics and assist in implementation of offline and online mailings, from list segmentation, copy and creative to analysis and reporting. Assist in maintenance of donor database.

Research and track how other NGO's are marketing their mission through direct mail and online communications.

Database and/or marketing/fundraising experience a plus.

*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,
Art Collection/Volunteer Services

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 and for President and Mrs. Carter.

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,
Art Collection/Volunteer Services

The Research intern will assist The 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. A special focus is on President Carter's 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 and The Carter Center are pursuing
Recent topics have included the Arab-Israeli conflict, the relationship between religion and ecology, best practices in economic development, and provisions for disability in presidents of the United States
Proofreading manuscripts for publication
Compiling and annotating bibliographies

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Art Collection/Volunteer Services

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

The Carter Center art collection is an eclectic array of more than 1,300 paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, and other decorative items from around the world. Visitors to The Carter Center can enjoy works by many well-known American artists such as Sam Maloof, LeRoy Neiman, and Andy Warhol, to name but a few, as well as Georgia artists such as Butler Brown, Lamar Dodd, Ed Moulthrop, and Ruth Zuckerman. As a nonprofit organization, The Carter Center does not commission or purchase art, and we rarely accept loans from outside sources. Most of the works were given to President and Mrs. Carter as gifts by heads of government and other dignitaries met on foreign and domestic trips, by thoughtful friends, or by the artists themselves.
Art Collection/Volunteer Services 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: