Nonpartisan Research Internship
In an age of "fake news" and political hyperbole, voters deserve factual, unbiased information to help them make informed decisions. Our Internship Program offers positions in our Research Departments that will provide interns an insider's look into the 2020 election and modern politics. Interns work to provide voters with unbiased information by researching and collecting information on the Issue Positions, Public Statements, Biographical Information, Election Monitoring, Key Votes, and Special Interest Groups of elected officials and candidates. The work of our interns empowers voters by allowing them to instantly research candidates without misdirection or partisan spin.
Interns work with our Research Staff to train in database management and professional communication. Together, they work as a team to strategically accomplish weekly and monthly goals. Clocking in during business hours, interns will have supervision from a Research Associate and Research Director. Interns are valuable assets to our team by expanding the number of candidates and officials that can be researched.
In 2018, Vote Smart Researchers delivered factual information on over 40,000 politicians, from all 50 state legislatures to the president, to over 11 million users. Vote Smart is highly regarded by all sides as a source for factual and truly nonpartisan info, having been cited by hundreds of news outlets nationwide and around the globe!
This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to start a career in politics, journalism, or data analytics. By fostering skills and a deep respect for nonpartisan cooperation, objective fact seeking, and big-data handling, this internship prepares individuals for politics and data driven careers beyond the 2020 election.
Vote Smart Interns will:
- Gain valuable experience in nonpartisan research
- Build primary and secondary research skills critical to working in a data-driven political era
- Strengthen writing and communication skills, especially those related to interpersonal organizational communication
- Apply and expand your learning about the American political system
Ideal candidates will:
- Be able to set aside political beliefs and be objective and nonpartisan while working
- Demonstrate strong research and writing skills
- Have strong attention to details
- Have experience working independently
Intern applicants must submit the following with their completed application form, available at http://votesmart.org/internships/application:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Three professional or academic references
For additional information regarding the internship and receiving academic credit, you are encouraged to check out our website and internship program page
*Contact you university Internship and Career Advisor to see if position is eligible for academic credit