Spring 2027 Undergraduate Intern, Communications and Marketing

ACLU - Internships; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

ACLU is seeking a media and communications strategy intern to help develop and expand civil liberties storytelling and messaging. The role offers hands-on exposure to social media, media relations, storytelling, and strategic communications across issues like free speech, privacy, and voting rights.

You will contribute to day-to-day communications, research reporters, and craft pitches that elevate ACLU campaigns while building expertise in national and local outlets.

Qualifications

• Completion of at least the first year of an undergraduate degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science, or a related field.
• At least one internship or work experience in journalism, public relations, or communications.
• Experience drafting press releases, blogs, social media posts, or other digital content.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Familiarity with AP style or media relations software is a plus.
• Familiarity with news media and online platforms and latest media trends.

Responsibilities

• Write internal and external-facing materials such as press releases, talking points, social media posts, blogs, digital content, and media advisories.
• Build media lists of reporters, editors, producers, and bookers from national and local outlets.
• Craft and send pitches to news media on ACLU campaigns and projects.
• Monitor news coverage and media trends, including press clips.
• Support research projects informing communications plans.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing skills

News literacy

Public relations

AP style knowledge

Education

Undergraduate student in communications/related field

Tools

Cision

Meltwater

Job description

The Team:

The ACLU communications department creates, maintains, and expands message narratives to engage our supporters and other target audiences, to help protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights, and also illustrate the value and impact of the ACLU's transformational work. Through our messaging, engagement with newsmakers, our written content, creative branding, and visual identity, we encourage support for the ACLU and help to build a more perfect union.

What You'll Do:

The media and communications strategy intern will work on a wide array of civil liberties and civil rights issues, including, but not limited to advocacy and litigation around free speech, immigrants' rights, national security, privacy and technology, reproductive rights, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. The intern will contribute to creating and expanding message narratives and will use strategic communications to help bring attention to ACLU cases and advocate for policies we care about. Interns will get experience on social media, media relations, storytelling, and more.

Your Day to Day:

• Contribute to the day-to-day functions of the communications department, including writing internal and external-facing materials such as press releases, talking points, social media posts, blogs, digital content, and media advisories
• Build media expertise by researching and building lists of key reporters, editors, producers, and bookers from a wide array of national and local publications
• Help increase coverage of ACLU issues and messages by crafting and sending pitches to news media on ACLU campaigns and projects
• Monitor news and media trends, including tracking press clips
• Engage in research projects that can help inform multi-faceted communications plans, which include goals, audiences, messaging, and media relations strategies

What You'll Bring:

• Completion of at least the first year of an undergraduate degree in communications, public relations, journalism, political science, or a related field
• At least one semester (or equivalent) internship or work experience in the following areas: journalism, public relations, communications
• Experience drafting press releases, blogs, social media posts, or other digital content strongly preferred
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Avid news reader; familiarity with news media and online platforms, as well as the latest trends in media
• Familiarity with best practices in communications and public relations
• Familiarity with Associated Press style or media relations software such as Cision or Meltwater is a plus

Future ACLU-ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics:

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is part-time and can be remote or based in our NY National office.
• Time Commitment: Part-time (20 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Part-time internships span 12 consecutive weeks. This internship has a start date of: Jan. 11th or Jan. 25th, 2027
• Stipend: A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
• Below are the stipend rates: $20/hr for undergraduate students or equivalent experience

Why the ACLU:

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it's ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization - one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we're in the courts or in the office, we believe 'We the People' means all of us.

We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To maintain the integrity of our assessment process, please refrain from using AI-powered chatbots, search engines, or real-time assistance tools to generate your CV, cover letter or writing sample (if required). We want to better understand your individual skills and thought processes. If you require AI tools or other assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Accommodation Request Form so that we can support an accessible and equitable experience.