Crisis Management & Litigation Communications Internship - Winter/Spring '27

APCO; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop provided

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full‑time, paid internship program. Interns will join our Crisis Management & Litigation practice team, and will gain hands‑on experience in managing reputational risk and strategic response planning, including monitoring media coverage, drafting communications materials, and supporting real‑time client engagements during high‑stakes situations.

This internship will sit out of our New York, Washington D.C. or Chicago Office.

Qualifications

• This internship targets individuals with an interest in communications, journalism, or political science.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, distributed team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication and research skills.
• Organized and detail-oriented with the ability to multitask.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
• Must have US Work Authorization; CPT/OPT status not eligible.

Responsibilities

• Support crisis, issues, and litigation communications through rapid research and media monitoring.
• Contribute to scenario planning, stakeholder mapping, and preparedness exercises.
• Draft holding statements, Q&As, backgrounders, and other materials.
• Assist in development of client proposals.
• Monitor issues, news events, and competitor activity.
• Identify and compile lists of media contacts.

Skills

Interest in communications

Fast-paced environment

Written & verbal communication

Entrepreneurial mindset

Organized & detail-oriented

Multitasking

MS Office proficiency

US work authorization

Tools

Laptop provided

Job description

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full‑time, paid internship program. Interns will join our Crisis Management & Litigation practice team, and will gain hands‑on experience in managing reputational risk and strategic response planning, including monitoring media coverage, drafting communications materials, and supporting real‑time client engagements during high‑stakes situations.

This internship will sit out of our New York, Washington D.C. or Chicago Office.

Responsibilities:

• Support crisis, issues, and litigation communications work by conducting rapid research, monitoring media, and synthesizing insights to inform client strategy
• Contribute to scenario planning, stakeholder mapping, and preparedness exercises to help clients anticipate and navigate potential crises
• Assist in drafting holding statements, Q&As, backgrounders, and other crisis communication materials for external audiences
• Assist in the development of client proposals
• Monitor issues, news events and competitor happenings
• Identify and compile lists of media contacts
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• A demonstrated interest in communications, journalism or political science
• Comfort in a fast‑paced environment collaborating with a distributed team
• Excellent written and oral communication and research skills
• Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Able to multi‑task and approach assignments independently
• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
• Available to work 40 hours per week
• Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status

What are the core working hours and will I need to be in an office?

Our fellows work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We are committed to a hybrid and flexible working environment, and there may be days that you wish to work from home and days that we come together so that you get to explore more of our culture and meet other colleagues. You will be provided with a company laptop so that you are able to work from home and in the office easily.

Compensation:

This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $18.40.

When is the closing date for applications?

Applications will close on Friday, October 2nd.

When does the internship commence?

Our program begins on Tuesday, January 12th and ends on Friday, May 21st 2027.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.