Communications Intern

Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance; Minnesota; On-site; USD 6,249; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free housing

$140 weekly food stipend

Opportunity to develop professional skills

Job summary

A renowned animal sanctuary seeks Media Interns to manage social media, create visual content, and support fundraising efforts. This unpaid internship provides free housing and a weekly food stipend of $140. Ideal for college students or recent graduates, successful candidates will demonstrate creativity and adhere to brand guidelines in their work. Responsibilities include daily social media management and participation in mission education classes. All applicants must have a passion for wildlife and be US citizens.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age and fluent in English.
• Ability to navigate 40 acres of land in all seasons.
• Strong communication skills for social media.

Responsibilities

• Manage and grow social media channels including Facebook and Instagram.
• Create graphics and images for marketing materials.
• Generate and edit photo/video content for fundraising.

Skills

General safety adherence

Ability to take direction

Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite

Social media content creation

Creative portfolio (Graphic Design)

Photography skills

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Nikon camera

Drone

Job description

We are a 501(c)3 organization. Tax ID: 22-3857401.
All donations are tax deductible.

The Wildcat Sanctuary
PO Box 314
Sandstone, MN 55072

Media Interns play an important role in creating a window into sanctuary life for our donors and supporters while allowing our wild cat residents to live Wild At Heart. Media Interns work closely with the entire Development Team to help support fundraising efforts to achieve our goals and further our mission.

This is an unpaid internship that provides free furnished housing and $140/week food stipend. This opportunity is six months long and is ideal for college students or recent graduates who are interested in learning about social media management, fundraising, and the captive wildlife crisis.

Required Skills

• General (for all Media Interns)
  • Strict adherence to all safety rules and protocols
  • Ability to take direction well, work independently and be a self-starter
  • Understanding of how to work within established brand guidelines
  • Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop/Lightroom, DropBox, Google docs, Outlook, etc.
  • Physically capable of navigating 40 acres of land on rough terrain, in all four seasons
• Social Media Support (for all Media Interns)
  • Ability to learn how to generate, edit, publish and share daily content (original copy, images, video, live posts) that builds meaningful connections to our mission
  • Ability to adapt to the “TWS voice” and seek out information that allows you to respond to donor inquiries appropriately
• Graphic Design or Photography emphasis:
• Graphic Design
  • A portfolio that demonstrates creativity and adherence to brand guidelines
  • Come prepared with any necessary personal equipment
• Photography/Videography Intern only
  • A portfolio that demonstrates thoughtful composition and skilled editing. Documentary style story telling Nature photography preferred, but not required.
  • Come prepared with at least one personal camera and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Social Media Support (60-70%)
  • Primary Daily Responsibility: Support daily management, posting, monitoring, and driving growth of TWS social media channels including Facebook (primary), Instagram, and YouTube (3 million followers)
  • Learn and practice the best ways to remain informed of changes in FB algorithm by understating and monitoring “Insights” and following industry experts
  • Assist with social media coverage on evenings and weekends
  • Participate in all Intern Education classes in an effort to become fully informed about our mission, cats, and the TWS educational pillars.
• Graphic Design or Photography emphasis (no more than 30%)
  • Graphic Design
    • Reports to the Executive Director/Marketing Team for Graphic Design projects
    • Learn TWS Brand Guidelines to be able to create images/graphics for online store, campaign logos, education materials, invitations, and other marketing materials
    • Create logos, banners, brochures and special event programs
    • Create artwork for TWS auctions
  • Photography/Videography
    • Reports to the Communication Specialist
    • Generate photo and video content to support all fundraising efforts while learning how composition plays an important role in showcasing the Wild At Heart life
    • Document special events like rescues, vet days, volunteer crew days, etc.
    • Learn TWS Brand Guidelines to be able to edit and watermark digital photos for both print and web
    • File and organize all photos/videos within current document retention system

This internship offersFree Housing plus a $160 a week stipend. Media Interns are required to live in TWS housing for the duration of their internship. A car is strongly recommended, but not required.

TWS provides two iPhones, drone, Nikon camera, Production camera, and PC laptop with Adobe Creative Suite software. Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be fluent in the English language (verbal and written communication). Must provide your own health insurance.

How to Apply

To apply, you must submit a cover letter, a resume and a link to your portfolio. Please email all 3 items to [e-mail]. Be sure that your cover letter explains how this unpaid internship will support you in your career path and why you are the best candidate for the position.

NOTE: Position open to US citizens only

Our internships are six months long and have 4 available start dates:

• Spring Session: March thru August every year
• Summer Session: June thru November every year
• Fall Session: September thru February every year
• Winter Session: January thru June every year

It is expected that TWS Interns support the mission and values of the Sanctuary. The employer reserves the right to modify, change or add to the duties of this job description at any time. The intern understands and acknowledges that this position is terminable at will at any time by TWS. All donor’s names and contact information remain the property of The Wildcat Sanctuary and cannot be taken or used. All graphics, photos, videos and proprietary information remains the property of The Wildcat Sanctuary and cannot be used for other purposes.

From Kaoyeng, Media Intern Winter 2025:

It really is a once in a lifetime experience. You’re gaining so many skills and knowledge but also doing it with the best group of people. They really are grateful for all your work and dedication to the rescues weather that be cleaning, feeding, taking care of them as an animal care intern or keeping contact with donors, volunteers and supporting them with daily donations online as a media intern.

From Victoria, Media Intern Winter 2025:

This internship was a dream come true. Supporters of The Wildcat Sanctuary often say they would like to be reincarnated as a rescue at sanctuary, but I would want to be reincarnated as a Media Intern! I gained skills in photography, content creation, social media, writing, and fundraising all while hanging out with wildcats. If you’re passionate about animals and want to use your voice for good, I cannot encourage this internship enough. In 6 months, I’ve grown as an individual, gained experience in my desired field and become an expert on the Captive Wildlife Crisis! I’ve taken a few good pictures, too ;). Thank you, TWS, for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

From Joe, Media Intern Spring 2024

The media internship at TWS is a great opportunity for anyone with a passion for wildlife looking to get started in the media and communications field. There is a lot of space to learn and develop your professional skills by working with a very competent media and fundraising team. It’s a lively place to work with some great people and I highly recommend it.

From Timber, Media Intern Fall 2022, Lead Media Intern Spring 2023

When I first arrived for my internship, I had no idea what to expect but the moment I stepped onto the property, it couldn’t have been any clearer that this place is a true sanctuary for these cats. Each and every person here cares so deeply, not just about the cats but about each other too! This has been the most incredible experience of my life and I’m walking away a better story-teller, better photographer, better advocate, and better person!