TikTok | Content and Strategy Intern

Sutherland Institute; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Hybrid work option

Job summary

Sutherland Institute in Salt Lake City is seeking college students for a paid TikTok internship focused on public policy storytelling. Work with a team to experiment with formats, craft scripts, and explore how conservative policy ideas engage younger audiences.

You will help develop original content, review trends, and contribute to a new initiative from the ground up, with a hybrid in-office/remote schedule.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a college student with an interest in social media, communications, political science, public policy, marketing, or related field.
• Strong familiarity with TikTok, its trends, formats, audiences, and platform culture.
• Interest in conservative public policy and current events.
• Creative thinker who enjoys brainstorming and problem solving.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with willingness to share ideas.
• Ability to explain complex ideas in simple, engaging ways.
• Familiarity with CapCut or other video editing tools is a plus.
• Previous TikTok or short-form content experience is beneficial but not required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in weekly brainstorming sessions to develop TikTok content ideas and strategies.
• Research TikTok trends and formats for adaptation to policy content.
• Collaborate with interns and the communications team to develop scripts.
• Create original TikTok content using smartphones and editing tools.
• Translate complex policy topics into clear, engaging short-form videos.
• Write and refine short-form video scripts and provide feedback on drafts.
• Monitor content performance and audience engagement to inform future content.
• Experiment with storytelling techniques to develop effective content formats.

Skills

TikTok knowledge

Creative thinking

Communication skills

Collaboration

Public policy interest

Video editing tools

Tools

CapCut

Job description

Job summary

Can public policy content thrive on TikTok? We want your help finding out.

Sutherland Institute is launching a new initiative to explore how public policy organizations can use TikTok to engage younger audiences, communicate important ideas, and participate in today's digital conversations. We're looking for creative, curious, and collaborative college students who understand TikTok and are interested in conservative public policy. As part of a team of student creators, you'll help us experiment with new approaches to digital storytelling, develop original content, and discover what resonates with audiences on one of today's most influential social media platforms.

This isn't your typical communications internship. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to a new initiative, test creative ideas, and help shape Sutherland's approach to TikTok from the ground up.

Responsibilities

TikTok & Short-Form Video Production

• Participate in weekly creative brainstorming sessions to develop TikTok content ideas, concepts, and strategies.
• Research emerging TikTok trends, formats, and creative approaches that could be adapted to public policy content.
• Collaborate with fellow interns and Sutherland's communications team to develop, review, and refine video concepts and scripts.
• Create original TikTok content using smartphones and mobile editing tools.
• Research public policy topics and contribute insights that help translate complex issues into
• Write and refine short-form video scripts that communicate policy ideas clearly and creatively.
• Provide constructive feedback on content drafts and collaborate with other interns to improve creative projects.
• Help monitor content performance, audience engagement, and emerging trends to identify what works and inform future content decisions.
• Experiment with different storytelling techniques and content formats to help develop an effective

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a college student, with an interest in social media, communications, political science, public policy, marketing, or a related field.
• Strong familiarity with TikTok, including its trends, content styles, audiences, and platform culture.
• Interest in conservative public policy, current events, and the ideas shaping our communities, state, and country.
• Creative thinker who enjoys brainstorming, experimenting with new ideas, and solving problems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a willingness to contribute ideas and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas in simple, interesting, and accessible ways.
• Familiarity with CapCut or other video editing tools is a plus.
• Previous experience creating TikTok or other short-form social media content is beneficial but not required.

During this internship, you will gain practical experience in:

• Hands-on content creation experience: Develop, produce, and refine original short-form videos for a professional organization.
• Social media strategy experience: Help shape a new TikTok initiative and explore how different content approaches reach and engage audiences.
• Analytics and audience insights: Learn how to evaluate social media metrics, understand audience behavior, and apply performance data to creative decisions.
• Creative collaboration: Work alongside fellow student creators, communications professionals, and public policy experts to develop and test new ideas.
• Professional development: Strengthen your skills in digital storytelling, scriptwriting, audience targeting, content development, and creative problem-solving.
• An opportunity to innovate: Contribute to an emerging area of public policy communication by helping explore what works, what doesn't, and what's possible for think tanks on TikTok.

We believe reaching the next generation requires understanding how they communicate, what captures their attention, and how they engage with ideas.

If you're passionate about TikTok, interested in conservative public policy, and excited to explore new ways of communicating important ideas, we'd love to hear from you.

Application Materials

Applicants are highly encouraged to submit a digital portfolio showcasing relevant design, TikTok/video production, social media, photography, or other creative work.

Please include either:

A link to your online portfolio, TikTok handle, or personal website

Position start : January 2027

Wage/salary: This is a paid internship based on experience and availability

Location: Sutherland’s office is located in downtown Salt Lake City. The combination of in-office and remote work for graphic design interns will be determined on a case-by-case basis.