Advocacy Intern

AARP; Tennessee; Hybrid; USD 24,796 - 38,572; Full time

Job summary

AARP Tennessee seeks an Advocacy Intern to help craft, review, and advocate for legislation in partnership with AARP Tennessee leadership. You will meet and greet elected officials across the state and help make communities more livable.

The internship is paid with a Fall 2026 start, featuring hybrid work—Mondays and Fridays remote within the U.S.—and opportunities to support policy on caregiving, housing, health, and retirement security.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college/university.
• Rising undergraduate junior or senior, graduate, or postdoc and maintain enrollment.
• Excellent writing skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Apply strategic, analytical, and creative thinking to policy issues (family caregiving, housing, health, retirement security).
• Engage in advocacy strategies and events to advance these issues.
• Research policy issues and support advocacy tactics for both remote and in-person events.

Skills

Writing skills

Time management

Self-starter

Deadline driven

Education

Pursuing degree in political science, pre-law, communications, public relations, economics

Tools

Microsoft Office Programs

Job description

Overview

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications.

Are you interested in policy and excited about working with elected officials in a nonpartisan manner? Are you interested in making your community more livable for everyone? This internship position is for you. As an Advocacy Intern at AARP Tennessee, you will have the opportunity to craft, draft, review, and advocate for legislation in partnership with AARP Tennessee leadership. You will also meet and greet elected officials across the state and help make communities more livable. This paid internship has an anticipated start date of Fall 2026, with the possibility of extending additional semesters.

Responsibilities

• Apply strategic, analytical, and creative thinking to help create and promote policy issues on family caregiving, housing, health and welfare, and retirement security
• Engage in advocacy strategies to advance these issues and the events organized as part of these efforts
• Research policy issues, craft ideas to support our advocacy efforts, participate in team meetings and strategy discussions, collaborate in advocacy tactics, and engage in a support role for various remote and in-person events

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university; be considered a rising undergraduate junior or senior, graduate student, or postdoctoral student; and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship
• Pursuing a degree in political science, pre-law, communications, public relations, economics, or related fields
• Must be a self-starter and adaptable with the ability to work under tight deadlines
• Must have reliable transportation
• Have excellent writing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects, anticipate project needs, and discern work priorities
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs
• Familiarity with the Tennessee General Assembly and Congress is a plus

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgment in evaluation options to make sound decisionsIn office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation And Benefits

The hourly range is $18 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.