Navigating International Affairs: Internship Opportunities for Aspiring Global Leaders

For students and recent graduates considering a career in diplomacy, international relations, public policy, or global affairs, an internship can provide invaluable hands-on experience. These opportunities offer a chance to work within international organizations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, gaining practical skills and insights into the complexities of global issues.

United Nations Internship Program

A United Nations internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working within a global organization.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for a UN internship, candidates generally need to be enrolled in or recently graduated (within one year) from a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program.

Duration and Compensation

Internships typically last a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months. It’s important to note that internships at the United Nations Secretariat are unpaid. Interns are responsible for covering their own expenses, including travel, accommodation, medical insurance, and living costs.

Visa and Logistics

Interns are responsible for obtaining and financing their own visas for the duty station of their internship.

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Application Process

Review Available Opportunities: Explore the list of available internship opportunities on the UN careers portal or inspira platform.
Read Job Descriptions: Carefully review the full job description for each posting to understand the required skills and responsibilities.
Create or Update Your Profile: Create or log in to your "Inspira" profile via the portal.
Draft Your Application: Prepare a compelling application and cover letter, tailoring your skills and motivations to the specific internship posting.
Pre-screening and Selection: After submission, your application will undergo pre-screening and selection processes.

Important Note: The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia: Opportunities for Engagement

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia offers a variety of internship and career opportunities for those interested in international affairs. This non-partisan, non-profit organization connects Philadelphia to the world through speaker programs, professional development, youth education, and public diplomacy initiatives. World Affairs hosts global delegations and travels the world reaching more than 125 countries annually.

Youth Programs

The Senior Director of Youth Programs sets the strategic direction, program structure, and performance framework for the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s youth programs. This role is responsible for building a consistent, scalable program model that strengthens educational quality, grows capacity, and supports long-term sustainability and impact.

Programs Specialist

The Programs Specialist executes the development and implementation of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s public-facing programs, including speaker programs, public events, and professional education offerings. This role serves as the core operations and implementation lead for the professional education programs and public-facing program offerings.

Communications Intern

The Communications Team is seeking a Graphic Design & Social Media Intern who will report to and work closely with our Digital Content Manager. Periodically, the intern will work alongside the Director of Communications. Interns will gain first-hand experience working for a nonpartisan, international organization on a creative team. Creative opportunities for growth will be accessed and provided to candidates who demonstrate strong design and time management skills.

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Professional Exchange Intern

Professional Exchange interns work closely with their supervisor to support meetings and events across the Philadelphia region. Interns have a first-hand look at cross cultural dialogue in multiple sectors, meet current and emerging leaders from around the globe, and connect with key leaders in the Philadelphia region.

Youth Programming Intern

The Youth Programming intern will help to support the development and implementation of World Affairs middle and high school programs such as Model Senate, Global Economic Forum, Citizen Diplomat Academy, Global Scholars, Sister Cities High School Youth Exchanges, Summer Global Leadership Seminar, UN Summer Camp, Camp, Jr. Model United Nations, and the Global Smarts Mentoring Program.

General Skills and Qualifications

Successful applicants for internships at the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia are typically detail-oriented, reliable, and professional. Strong interpersonal skills and an interest in international relations are highly valued.

Additional Information

The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Internship Program

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers internship opportunities for students interested in telecommunications and international affairs.

Read also: Internship Opportunities

Office of International Affairs - Office of the Chief

The Office of International Affairs administers international telecommunications and satellite programs and policies, including licensing and regulatory functions. Interns may assist in preparing position papers on telecommunications issues for upcoming International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other international meetings and conferences.

Legal/Graduate Internship

Graduate students majoring in a related field (i.e., government/public policy, economics, international studies, etc.), as well as law students (with an expressed interest in Telecommunications and/or International Law) are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include: Conducting research on topics of telecommunications and administrative law; reviewing comments in rulemaking or other proceedings; attending meetings internally and with outside parties; and drafting Division documents, research memos, briefing sheets, and Public Notices.

Selection Criteria

Candidates must currently be full-time or part-time law students at an accredited school and must be United States citizens.

U.S. Department of State Internship Programs

The U.S. Department of State offers various internship programs for U.S. citizens enrolled in educational institutions. These programs provide opportunities to gain experience at embassies and consulates throughout the world, as well as in bureaus located in Washington, D.C., and at Department offices around the United States.

Pathways Internship Program

The Department of State's Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP).

Virtual Internship Program

The Virtual Internship Program connects U.S. citizen college students with the needs of federal agencies. Internships are paid but may be eligible for course credit.

Colin Powell Leadership Program

The Colin Powell Leadership Program recruits highly motivated individuals from a variety of backgrounds who aspire to become future civil service leaders in the Department.

MBA Special Advisor Fellowship

The MBA Special Advisor Fellowship seeks to strengthen the Department's strategic management and operations capabilities through leading-edge solutions and academia.

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Internship Programs

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) offers several internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students interested in foreign policy.

Blavatnik Internship Program

Blavatnik interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis for positions in CFR’s New York and Washington, DC, offices. An intern’s duties generally consist of research, editing and writing, event coordination, and/or departmental support.

Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program

Robina Franklin Williams interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis for positions in CFR’s New York and Washington, DC, offices. An intern’s duties generally consist of research, editing and writing, event coordination, and/or departmental support.

General Requirements

CFR generally considers undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field for its internship programs. All applicants should have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (not including AP classes in high school) by the time they begin an internship.

Additional Internship and Career Resources

American Bar Association (ABA) Internships: Internships are available in the ABA Group - Section of International Law.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago: Internships are available to provide practical applications of academic learning to qualified applicants.
American Diabetes Association: Internships with the American Diabetes Association provide interns with daily engagement with the daily activities of employees and gain real-world experience while making a different in the lives of people who are affected by diabetes.
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross offers internships to undergraduate and graduate students from many diverse backgrounds, to join in a variety of internship programs that introduce young leaders to the mission of the Red Cross.
AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country.
Amnesty International: Amnesty International is a global movement of people fighting injustice and promoting human rights.
Amigos de las Americas: Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) inspires and builds young leaders through collaborative community development and immersion in cross-cultural experiences.
Carter Center: A governmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve the life for people in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy and human rights; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care.
Carnegie Council of Ethics in International Affairs: The mission of Carnegie Council is to enlarge the audience for the simple but powerful message that ethics matter, regardless of place, origin, or belief.
Center for Effective Global Action (CEGA): CEGA’s mission is to improve lives and generate opportunities globally, through innovative research that drives effective policy and development programming.
Center for Global Development (CGD): CGD conducts research and analysis on a wide range of topics related to how policies and actions of the rich and powerful affect poor people in the developing world.
City Year - International Affiliates: City Year deploys over 100 corps members to serve in 12 schools in London and Birmingham, as well as in South Africa.
Global Youth Connect: Global Youth Connect advances human rights by empowering young activists from around the globe to meet face-to-face, exchange ideas and take action together in collaboration with grassroots NGOs, policy makers, and other stakeholders.
Human Rights Watch (HRW): Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide.
JET Programme: The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is aimed at promoting grass-roots international exchange between Japan and other nations.
Independent Diplomat (ID): Independent Diplomat (ID) is an innovative venture in the world of international relations.
IOR Global Services: IOR Global Services is the leading provider of global mobility and talent management solutions designed to advance employee effectiveness across cultures.
Management Sciences for Health: MSH is a global health nonprofit organization, using proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact.
Middle East Institute: The Middle East Institute is the oldest Washington-based institution dedicated solely to the study of Middle East.
One Acre Fund: One Acre Fund puts Farmers First.
Organization of American States: The Organization of American States is the world’s oldest regional organization.
Oxfam International: Oxfam International seeks to create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty around the world.
Peace Corps: The Peace Corps is the preeminent international service organization of the United States, which sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world.
The Public Interest Network/Impact: The groups of The Public Interest Network employ a full arsenal of time-tested strategies for change, including organizing, advocacy, research and policy analysis, litigation and socially responsible investing.
Rotary International: Rotary is an organization of neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in communities and around the world.
S.O.S. - In the Mexico education system: The Rural Education Institute of Mexico was created to help rural communities address, and redress, this serious problem.
Teach for America: Teach for America’s mission is to build the movement to eliminate educational inequality by developing such leaders.
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs: An independent, non-partisan organization committed to educating the public-and influencing the public discourse - on global issues of the day.
U.S. Fund for UNICEF: supports UNICEF’s work, and other efforts in support of the world’s children, through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States.
United Way Worldwide: United Way envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives.
United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.
United States Department of Labor (DOL): is charged with preparing the America’s workers force for new and better jobs in the 21st Century work force, and ensuring the adequacy of America’s work places.
United States Foreign Service: foreign policy and diplomacy, explore new career avenues and acquire lifelong skills while representing America to the world.
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.
United States Secret Service: The United States Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency with headquarters in Washington, DC.
Women's Global Education Project: Women's Global Education Project (WGEP) believes that universal education, gender equality and empowerment of women are critical to a society's development.
WorldChicago: Department of State sponsored exchange programs; enhances respect and communication through international exchanges and alliances; and promotes the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois as important centers for business and culture.
World Health Organization: The World Health Organization as the leader in global health issues is committed to building future leaders in public health.
World Teach: WorldTeach partners with governments and other organizations in developing countries to provide volunteer teachers to meet local needs and promote responsible global citizenships.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a type of off-campus work permission available to certain eligible F-1 visa students. CPT is employment which is “an integral part of an established curriculum.” CPT is not to be used merely to facilitate employment for the international student and will only be authorized if the job is related to the student’s course of study and the student will receive course credit for the practical training. CPT is not guaranteed for international students; it must meet both the academic requirements of the department and immigration requirements.

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