Communications Intern

AAP Washington Office Undergraduate Internship Program

Seeking undergraduate intern to join AAP's DC communications team.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The AAP Washington, DC Office is Academy's voice on federal issues impacting children and the pediatricians who care for them.

The AAP Washington Office is hiring a spring intern to work directly with advocacy communications staff: 

Communications Intern

Working closely with advocacy communications staff, the Communications Intern will have the opportunity to learn how advocacy communication strategies, such as social media campaigns, targeted press outreach and earned media opportunities, can directly impact and influence child health policy. In addition, through the communications-focused internship, the intern will learn how to engage pediatricians in federal advocacy, whether it be by helping to prepare for advocacy trainings or assisting with a long-term grassroots mobilization advocacy campaign. While this program is individualized, examples of internship activities include:

• Working with staff to communicate federal child health issues effectively to AAP members, reporters, Congress and the general public
• Developing and cultivating strategic press and social media lists on key child health issues
• Monitoring daily press coverage, both regional and national level, to identify coverage trends and opportunities for proactive press pitching
• Assisting with development of long-term, multi-faceted advocacy campaigns on child health issues
• Crafting social media messages that aim to raise awareness and engage strategic partners on key child health topics
• Monitoring daily social media activity for the Academy and health care trends online
• Assist with planning and communications for the 2020 Legislative Conference

​Internship Application and Requirements

Applications should consist of:

• A resume/CV;
• An essay not to exceed 500 words. In the 500-word essay, applicants must indicate their interest in communications and advocacy and their expectations for participating in the program
• Documentation from their accredited school outlining requirements they must meet to receive course credit

Please indicate that you are applying to the Advocacy Communications internship in the subject line of your email. Applications should be sent via email to . Decisions are made by a selection committee and applicants are notified via email.

The intern will work in the AAP Washington, DC office during regular office hours, which are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Interns must work a minimum of 30 hours per week, but hours can exceed this if the intern so chooses. The internship will begin as early as January. Exact start and end dates of the internship term are flexible depending on the intern's school schedule, and will be agreed upon prior to the intern's first day.

Criteria

The internship is available to undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and must be for course credit.

Communications interns should have a background in communications, journalism and/or public affairs. Interns should have a strong demonstrated interest in child health advocacy communications and at least a basic understanding of U.S. federal government institutions and processes.

Other Requirements

Business attire is required.

As a reaffirmation to our employee-focused culture, since 2005 the AAP has been named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Chicagoland area. Additionally, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Individuals with Disabilities, and Veterans that values the strength diversity brings to our workplace.

Reasonable Accommodation: Individuals with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation regarding the job application process may call 630-626-6297. Please note, only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will receive a response.