Navigating Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) offer invaluable opportunities for individuals seeking to contribute to social change and gain professional experience in various fields. Internships within these organizations provide hands-on experience, skill development, and a chance to make a tangible difference in the world. This article explores the diverse landscape of NGO internships, outlining requirements, opportunities, and key considerations for prospective interns.

Exploring Internship Programs at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC offers a range of internship, training, and volunteer opportunities for students across various academic disciplines and levels. These programs, including the Pathways Program, provide enriching experiences in public health and related fields.

The Pathways Program

The Pathways Program encompasses three main components:

Internship Program: Provides internship and summer employment opportunities to students seeking work experience while in school. This program caters to students from high school to graduate level, offering paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers. Successful completion of the program may lead to conversion to a permanent civil service job. Student summer employment provides training and work experience for individuals during summer months. Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a diploma, certificate, or degree-seeking student. Student summer employment opportunities are announced January through March of each year.
Recent Graduates Program: Enables recent college graduates to gain developmental work experience in public health and related support occupations. Applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion, with an exception for veterans who have up to six years after degree completion due to military service obligations.
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program: Offers leadership development opportunities to students completing master’s, law, or doctoral-level degrees. This two-year, paid program aims to cultivate future leaders committed to public policy and program management. Candidates must be nominated by their graduate program's dean, director, or chair. Successful completion may lead to permanent placement within a federal agency.

Additional CDC Programs

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program: Offers students work experience in various occupations during the academic year and/or summer months, exposing them to public health careers.
Student Worksite Experience Program (SWEP): Provides high school and college students with non-paid, educationally related work opportunities. Students gain practical experience through projects and tasks that contribute to their professional development.
Thurgood Marshall College Foundation/CDC Ambassador and Internship Program: Aims to increase interest in public health careers among minority students and enhance minority representation in mission-critical occupations at CDC and the public health workforce. Student ambassadors promote public service and public health on their campuses and in their communities.
Fellowship Programs: Cater to talented scientists engaged in public health research, studies, training, or investigations.

Eligibility and Requirements for CDC Programs

Citizenship: Applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a Naturalization Certificate, passport, visa, or green card/permanent resident card.

Opportunities with the Department of State

The Department of State offers a Student Internship Program that provides an inside look at diplomacy and the range of careers within the Foreign Service and Civil Service. This paid internship program offers opportunities in Washington, D.C., and at Department offices around the United States.

Internship Structure

Interns can work in geographic bureaus, which oversee policies for specific regions, or functional bureaus, which focus on policy areas affecting all regions and countries.

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Eligibility and Application Process

Students must be returning to school immediately following the internship.
Applicants must create a USAJOBS account and resume.
Required documents include proof of student status in the form of an official or unofficial transcript.
The SIP Selection Committee reviews applications and selects finalists, who then undergo a security clearance process.

Interning with the United Nations

A UN internship offers valuable hands-on experience for those considering a career in diplomacy, international relations, public policy, or global affairs.

Responsibilities and Eligibility

Intern duties vary by office but typically include research, drafting documents, supporting conferences and meetings, data analysis, and policy assistance.
Applicants must be enrolled in or recently graduated (within 1 year) from a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program.
Internships last a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months.

Important Considerations

Internships at the United Nations Secretariat are unpaid.
Interns are responsible for all costs, including travel, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses.
Interns are responsible for obtaining and financing their own visas.

Application Process

Review the list of available Internship opportunities.
Read the full job description for each posting.
Create or log into your “Inspira” profile via the portal.
Draft your application and cover letter, tailoring your skills and motivations to the specific internship posting.

UNDP Washington Representation Office Internships

The UNDP Washington Representation Office offers highly competitive internships with two profiles: General Intern and Communications & Outreach Intern.

Eligibility and Requirements

Enrollment in a graduate-level degree program in communications and/or a development-related field.
Ability to work for three consecutive months, at least three days or 24 hours weekly.
Application materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, completed and signed UNDP Application Form, and one reference letter.

Internship Tasks

General Intern: Attending Congressional hearings, responding to requests for UNDP assistance, planning and executing UNDP-related events, and updating contact databases.
Communications & Outreach Intern: Researching materials for publication, monitoring media and social media, and assisting in outreach-related activities.

Conditions of Service

UNDP interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend.
Applicants must provide proof of enrollment in a health insurance plan.
Applicants are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas.

UNHCR Internship Program

UNHCR offers internships at various locations, including headquarters in Geneva, Global Service Centres, and field country offices.

Key Aspects

Internships are open to all nationalities.
UNHCR reimburses interns engaged from a location outside the country of the duty station for return travel costs.
Interns are responsible for arranging medical insurance and visas.

General Skills and Requirements for NGO Internships

Fundraising

Fundraising is often an essential part of NGO operations. Internships may involve organizing online campaigns or applying for grants.

Social Media

Interns may assist in developing social media strategies and drafting posts for various platforms to spread the organization’s message.

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Event Planning

Interns may learn about the event planning process from start to finish, including fundraising events and social media events.

Essential Skills

Excellent writing skills
Passion for development
Eagerness to learn and a positive attitude
Social media management skills
Audio/video recording and editing experience (a plus)

Additional Considerations

Academic Credit

Students may be able to earn academic credit for work assignments, depending on their school’s policies.

Work Samples

Internships provide an opportunity to create a portfolio of work samples.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities may be available through programs like the CDC's Student Work Experience Program (SWEP).

Understanding the Legal Landscape: Interns vs. Employees

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires “for-profit” employers to pay employees for their work. Courts use the “primary beneficiary test” to determine whether an intern is, in fact, an employee under the FLSA. If the intern is deemed an employee, they are entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay.

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