WOLA’s Sally Yudelman Internship Program seeks to give interns hands-on experience and broad exposure to human rights advocacy and the foreign policy-making process. WOLA has hosted interns since the late 1980’s, and today our former interns can be found around the world working as human rights advocates, congressional aides, lawyers, journalists, professors, and even as members of WOLA’s senior staff. 

Every semester WOLA’s new interns are paired with staff mentors and absorbed into the work of the organization. They collaborate on a mix of research, analytical, and administrative work, and they are encouraged to get involved in the day-to-day activities of their teams. WOLA selects seven undergraduate interns per semester, and each intern is assigned to a different program area—communications, fundraising, or one of many policy areas. Interns also get involved in the behind-the-scenes work of running a non-profit organization, including helping with technology, media, finance, and event planning. 

WOLA’s internship program is named in honor of Sally Yudelman for her commitment and contribution to WOLA and the cause of social justice. Following Sally’s example, we hope to encourage the next generation of young people to get involved in advocating for human rights in Latin America. 

For a look at former Yudelman interns’ experience at and reflections on their internship at WOLA, check out WOLA’s Intern Blog and Intern Twitter.

Fundraising interns assist with various aspects of fundraising and institutional development, including event planning, donor cultivation and stewardship, database management, direct mail and email campaigns, prospect research, grant writing, and other responsibilities as part of the fundraising team. The position provides a hands-on experience in development and assures broad exposure to each of WOLA’s different program areas. Development internships will give students experience in the art of communicating WOLA’s mission and work to our broad base of supporters, and are ideally suited for students interested in non-profit management or philanthropy—in addition to human rights and Latin America. Experience with event planning, fundraising, or database management is a plus.

Communications Internships

Communications interns assist with social media, WOLA’s website, content development, press relationships, video filming and editing, and a variety of other responsibilities as a part of the communications team. The position provides a unique look at the intersection of strategic communications, social media, press work, and the promotion of human rights in Latin America. Communications internships will give students experience helping to turn compelling stories into action by articulating WOLA’s mission and work for different target audiences, and are ideally suited for students interested in journalism, content production, strategic communications, or marketing—in addition to human rights and Latin America. Experience with technical software, press work, or multimedia is a plus.

Foreign Policy Internships (Five Programs)

Policy interns are each assigned to a specific programmatic area at WOLA (Drug Policy/Defense Oversight, Cuba, Colombia, Citizen Security, and Mexico). Within each program, interns take on a wide range of responsibilities; on any given day, one intern might attend a hearing on Capitol Hill while another translates a press release and another conducts research for a memo. The position includes immersion into one of WOLA’s program teams, and offers students first-hand experience in the research, strategy, and development of human rights advocacy. Policy interns are ideally suited for students interested in international relations, foreign policy, or political science—in addition to human rights and Latin America. Experience with translation, technical writing, and research is a plus.

If you are selected for an internship, you will receive a $1,000 stipend from WOLA towards the end of your internship. A travel allowance is also provided. Internship stipends are not considered salary, but are awarded to help defray living expenses for an intern during their internship. Interns receive a financial summary at the end of each calendar year and are responsible for meeting their own state and federal tax obligations.

Approximately 30% of the internship is administrative in nature— helping with clerical needs, or working on a specific task. All other time is spent on substantive work. Interns are required to work 40 hours per week during the summer and 24-40 hours per week during the fall and spring. We offer an academically and professional enriching environment for interns to learn and grow. WOLA is willing to work with students to arrange for university credit.

Interested applicants should have a demonstrated interest in human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America; initiative and flexibility; the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; good organizational skills; follow-through and attention to detail. Motivated, self-starting interns excel at WOLA. A minimum of intermediate-advanced Spanish proficiency is required. Technical skills are highly desired.

Latin American and minority students are encouraged to apply. In general, the Internship Program is not open to students who have passed beyond their undergraduate studies due to its significant administrative component. WOLA does not sponsor visas for students outside of the United States

Summer Internship (late May through August)                                                                 March 15