The Truman National Security Project is a national security leadership institute, the nation's only organization that recruits, trains, and positions a new generation of progressives across America to lead on national security. Our mission is to provide the skills, knowledge, and network to create an influential force of leaders across the country who advance strong progressive national security policy.
We are seeking spring interns who are self-starters and excited about building a strong security platform based in progressive values. The internship offers opportunities to take part in training events and regular foreign policy discussions with next generation and leading progressives working in foreign policy and national security. Interns work with a leading team of high-performing political, policy, and communications professionals. Every Truman Project intern works directly with a senior staffer.
The Truman Project takes great pride in finding excellent job placement for those who work hard and work smart.
We currently offer nine internships:
Truman Security Fellowship: Work with our Fellowship department to cultivate our flagship Truman Security Fellowship program, the Board of Principals and plan the Truman Project's national annual conference, scheduled for May 4-6, 2012 (note: intern must be able to attend). The Fellowship Intern has the opportunity to meet foreign policy and national security experts and main tasks include assisting the Director with recruiting; strategic planning and management consulting; developing relations between Truman and the Security Fellows; and coordinating security, defense and media trainings. This intern will be afforded the opportunity to research complex foreign policy issues, contribute to our progressive security curriculum, participate in unique hands-on training in national security and communications and engage with some of the most talented up-and-coming and current leaders in national security.
Advocacy: We are seeking interns to assist with our award winning energy security campaign, Operation Free, and our new foreign aid campaign, Make US Strong. We are engaging veterans, coalition partners, and our Truman community across the country to promote diverse national security issues including ending our addiction to oil and protecting international development funding. Interns will gain hands-on experience organizing press events, educational panels, and communication based campaigns. Duties will include: assisting with writing and executing campaign plans in targeted states and districts; arranging all travel arrangements for advocacy managers; veteran recruitment and engagement; assisting in designing and executing advocacy trainings; and writing campaign materials including Op Eds and press releases. We are looking for individuals who possess backgrounds or are interested in political advocacy or campaign fieldwork, strong communication and research skills, and a keen interest in progressive national security issues. Veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Potential applicants should have strong social media skills and an ability to write blog posts, edit our Word Press website, and spread our message on platforms like Twitter.
Political: Work with our Political team to train elected officials, candidates, and other political leaders on national security and foreign policy topics, and to help our community members in building their political profiles.
Congressional: Assist the Congressional Liaison in developing the Truman Project's presence on Capitol Hill and providing legislative support for our Policy, Advocacy and Communications Departments. Specific duties include assisting in the management of programs such as Congressional Security Scholars, researching relevant legislative issues, and developing training materials for Truman programs.
Communications and Media: The Communications Department runs message development and communications strategy, works regularly with the media, assists Fellows and Partners with media outreach, and provides communications tools to friends and allies. Interns work directly with the Communications Director, Press Secretary, and other Communications and senior staff. Communications interns are an integral and substantive part of a fast-paced operation that is setting the progressive national security agenda. Interns ensure the smooth operation of the Department, handing key social media and online presence responsibilities, and any number of important special projects that are part of pushing message in the media. Interns will learn first-hand how to write talking points, op-eds, and other press materials as well as assist staff in pitching to media outlets, from print and radio to blogs and television. Interns will also research critical national security issues for the upcoming election cycle. Strong writers with an interest in national security and domestic politics are encouraged to apply.
**In addition to other application materials, please include two writing samples, neither of which should be more than 3 pages. Persuasive writing is preferred, but academic work is accepted.
Policy: Assist the Director of Policy with researching and developing curriculum for several different Truman Project programs, such as Congressional Security Scholars, Emerging Leaders, Communications Bootcamps, and Executive Agency Training. This intern is entrusted to assist with research for and the creation of training materials as well as the administration of various programs underway. The Programs intern will also assist with the development of “metrics for success” and the aggregation of relevant data. The opportunity to attend various Truman trainings will be afforded. This intern must be computer savvy, especially with Microsoft Power Point, databases, and Google Docs.
Development: Strategic fundraising is the key to a strong non-profit organization. The Development intern will be exposed to the important world of fundraising. Duties will include assisting the Director of Development with researching and writing grant proposals for foundations; planning fundraisers in DC and around the country; and prospective donor research.
Intern to the Vice President:
The Intern to the Vice President's primary responsibility is to provide the VP and his senior leadership team with timely, meticulously researched memoranda on complex issues in American national security. The vast majority of the intern's time will be devoted to research and writing. The intern will also be asked to present his or her findings to the staff in a briefing format, and to assist staff in creating presentations for the Washington policy community based in part on the intern's research findings. The Intern to the Vice President may also be asked to assist with clerical tasks in some circumstances, but this is not the focus of the position and will not be a routine requirement.
All internships will include a bit of administrative work, as well.
Skills: Must be entrepreneurial and proactive, highly organized and mindful of detail, comfortable with computers, comfortable with people, and passionate about building the progressive national security movement.
Experience: Backgrounds in politics, campaign work, policy and/or development preferred, but not essential. College juniors, seniors, and Masters students preferred.
Hours: Full and part-time internships available.
To Apply:
Contact jobs@trumanproject.org with cover letter, resume, and two to three references (at least two from former employers or professors). Also please indicate in the subject line which of the nine internships you are most interested in.
Please note that this is an unpaid internship.
Please visit our website: www.trumanproject.org before being in touch.