Multimedia & Video Production Internship Spring 2027

understandingwar; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 6,700 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship stipend

Job summary

Institute for the Study of War (ISW) invites motivated college students or recent graduates to join the internship program for Spring 2027. Internships offered in in-person, remote, and hybrid formats, with a focus on multimedia production and open-source analysis across diverse portfolios.

Interns work closely with analysts, receive classroom education and leadership engagement, and contribute to video content, social media campaigns, and research support.

Qualifications

• College students or recent graduates with related field experience.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Adobe Suite, including Premiere Pro and/or other video software.
• Understanding of photo and video equipment and maintenance.
• Eye for visual storytelling, pacing, and brand consistency.
• Knowledge of social media platforms YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
• Interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or Middle East.
• Commitment to ISW's mission and values.

Responsibilities

• Develop multimedia products and assist production of video content.
• Learn scriptwriting and multimedia strategy.
• Create and edit videos, graphics, and written material.
• Assist in special projects and company initiatives.
• Develop and execute social media campaigns across platforms.
• Collaborate with External Relations Team and research teams.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Video editing

Social media

Education

Currently enrolled student

Tools

Adobe Suite

Premiere Pro

Video gear knowledge

Job description

ISW Internship Program Overview

ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Spring 2027.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in Geospatial Intelligence and Technologies, National Security and Intelligence Analysis, and our Cognitive Warfare Task Force.

Why Work for ISW?

ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policymakers and warfighters.

Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policy-makers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting‑edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.

The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.

Multimedia & Video Production Internship:

ISW’s External Relations Team offers a new opportunity to candidates interested in developing ISW’s multimedia products and assisting the production of high‑performing video content to accompany ISW’s research products. The intern will hone video production skills, including recording, editing, and publishing videos to social media. They will have the opportunity to learn more about scriptwriting and multimedia strategy.

Over the course of a quarter, the intern will work closely with the External Relations Team and research teams to develop new video concepts and conduct thorough multimedia research to support ISW’s products. The intern will have the opportunity to create and edit videos, graphics, and written material, as well as assist in special projects and company initiatives.

Interns will also help develop and execute social media campaigns across platforms like X, Bluesky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

This internship provides a great opportunity to train alongside a small and flexible external relations team in an engaging and fast‑paced work environment. This is a full‑time (five days per week) in‑person or hybrid internship; part‑time or remote work will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated proficiency in a related field.


• Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.


• Candidates must be proficient in Adobe Suite, including Premiere Pro and/or other video software.


• Candidates should exhibit an understanding of photo and video equipment and maintenance.


• Candidates should have an eye for visual storytelling, pacing, and brand consistency.


• Demonstrate an above‑average knowledge of social media platforms YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.


• The candidate will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.


• The candidate must show commitment to — and interest in — the core mission and values of ISW.

Spring 2027 Internship Program Dates

ISW internships start on January 12, 2027. The program will run until May 14. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until November 13, 2026.

ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.

ISW Scholarship Application

The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until November 13, 2026.

Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and


2. Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.

*Please note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.