Navigating the Roosevelt Institute Internship Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide

Internships serve as crucial stepping stones for students transitioning from academic life to professional careers. They offer invaluable work experience, foster professional development, and provide opportunities to build networks that can pave the way for future employment. The Roosevelt Institute offers a variety of internship and fellowship programs designed to engage students and mid-career professionals in progressive public policy. This guide provides a detailed overview of the Roosevelt Institute's internship landscape, outlining key considerations, eligibility requirements, and practical tips for prospective applicants.

The Value of Internships

Internships offer a multitude of benefits that extend beyond mere work experience. They provide a platform for:

Career Goal Clarification: Internships allow students to explore different career paths and gain clarity on their professional aspirations.
Enhanced Job Search Skills: The internship application process, including resume building and interviewing, hones essential job search skills.
Professional Experience: Internships provide hands-on experience that enhances knowledge and strengthens resumes, making candidates more competitive in the job market.
Networking Opportunities: Interns can establish valuable contacts and build professional networks that can be beneficial throughout their careers.
Increased Employability: Employers often prefer candidates with prior internship experience, demonstrating practical skills and a proactive approach to career development.

Key Considerations for Roosevelt Institute Internships

Before applying for an internship at the Roosevelt Institute, it's important to carefully consider your goals and preferences. Key questions to address include:

Credit vs. Non-Credit: Do you need the internship to fulfill academic credit requirements?
Paid vs. Unpaid: Are you seeking a paid internship, or are you willing to consider unpaid opportunities?
Work Schedule: What type of work schedule are you looking for (full-time, part-time, flexible hours)?
Start and End Dates: What are your preferred start and end dates for the internship?
Work Environment: What type of work environment do you thrive in (fast-paced, collaborative, independent)?

Constantly assessing your goals will help you identify the internships that align with your needs and aspirations.

Navigating Internship Eligibility

Each internship program at the Roosevelt Institute has its own specific eligibility requirements. It's crucial to carefully review these conditions before applying. Credited internships may also have additional requirements set by your academic department. Contacting the Career Development staff can provide clarity on eligibility criteria and offer support throughout the application process.

Read also: Comprehensive Look at ERHS

Roosevelt Institute Internship and Fellowship Programs

The Roosevelt Institute offers a range of programs tailored to different academic levels and career stages. Here's a look at some of the key opportunities:

The Emerging Fellowship

This year-long, policy writing-focused fellowship is designed for undergraduate students in their final two years of study. It offers a deep dive into policy research and writing, mentorship from Network Alumni and Roosevelt Institute staff, and a supportive community of like-minded students. The fellowship emphasizes Roosevelt’s vision for a just economy and multiracial democracy.

The Forge Fellowship

The Forge Fellowship serves as an entry point to the Roosevelt Network. Its curriculum focuses on developing leadership skills, demystifying policy creation, and empowering students to critically engage in progressive policy discussions. The fellowship specifically addresses neoliberalism and its alternatives.

Roosevelt in Washington (RIW)

Roosevelt in Washington is a six-month leadership and professional development program for undergraduate students, typically engaging them during the spring and summer before their junior or senior year. The program includes:

Progressive policy career exploration
Targeted skill-building training
Mentorship from Network alumni
Placement into an eight- to nine-week summer internship within the Roosevelt Institute or a partner organization. RIW Fellows receive targeted skill-building training, mentorship from Network alumni, and placement into an eight-week summer internship within the Roosevelt Institute or a partner organization.

The program aims to help students understand the ecosystem of professionals, organizations, and workplaces that advance progressive public policy.

Read also: Liberal Arts and Sciences at UCR

Graduate Humanities Internship

Supported by the Mellon Foundation, this internship is open to students from diverse humanities backgrounds who are interested in connecting their research skills to the world of public policy. Interns work and train for 10 to 25 hours per week, earning a stipend of $25 per hour. The program allows students to align their research interests with current policy questions.

The Roosevelt Leadership Program

This program brings together a select group of mid-career leaders for a cohort program designed to keep them rooted in the work of governance, broaden their knowledge and skills, and deepen their networks.

The Roosevelt Society Reimagine America (RA) Fellowship

This fellowship brings together mid-career professionals in public policy, organizing, journalism, government, and advocacy to contribute to the public discourse about building a more democratic economic future.

Insights from Roosevelt Institute Leaders

The Roosevelt Institute is comprised of seasoned political strategists, advocates, and organizers. Roosevelt in Washington is all about learning where you fit into the whole ecosystem of professionals, organizations, and workplaces that do the work of advancing progressive public policy. Examining the backgrounds and expertise of individuals associated with the Roosevelt Institute provides valuable insight into the organization's focus and values.

Charly Carter, Executive Director, Step Up Maryland: A seasoned political strategist, advocate, and organizer with nearly three decades of experience driving change at the local, state, and national levels. A fierce advocate for democracy and economic advancement, Carter has dedicated her career to uplifting working families and communities of color.

Read also: Shaping Minds: Roosevelt's Education Legacy
Wisdom O. Cole, Senior National Advocacy Director, NAACP: Serves as the Senior National Director of Advocacy for the NAACP, leading efforts to advance civil rights through strategic campaigns, youth leadership development, and grassroots organizing.
Mara Heneghan, Associate Director, Health and Political Economy Project: Is Associate Director of the Health and Political Economy Project at the New School’s Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, where she supports policy and programs to build an economy that enables health and dignity for all.
Luke Herrine, Assistant Professor of Law, Alabama Law: An Assistant Professor at Alabama Law. His research focuses on household debt and how law does (and does not) police asymmetries of power through market governance. His work has influenced policymakers at the Department of Education, the FTC, the CFPB, the USDA, and beyond.
Reshma Ramachandran, MD, MPP, MHS, Assistant Professor, Yale School of Medicine: Is a family physician, health services researcher, and Assistant Professor within the Section of General Internal Medicine in the Department of Medicine at Yale University.
Rebecca Riddell, Senior Policy Lead, Economic and Racial Justice, Oxfam America: Is a human rights lawyer and the senior policy lead for economic and racial justice at Oxfam America.

General Internship Tips for Success

Regardless of the specific internship program, certain principles can help ensure a positive and productive experience:

Internship Dos

Be Ethical: Maintain ethical conduct in all aspects of your work, including computer and cell phone use.
Show Respect: Treat everyone with respect, recognizing that each individual contributes to the workplace.
Be Punctual: Arrive on time and communicate promptly if you are running late.
Professional Language: Avoid profanity and be mindful of your language in the workplace.

Internship Don'ts

Avoid Complacency: If you complete your assigned tasks, seek out additional responsibilities to stay busy and contribute to the organization.
Refrain from Gossip: Steer clear of office gossip and maintain confidentiality.
Limit Political Discussions: Avoid excessive discussion of politics and personal opinions at the internship site.

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