Internships at the Stimson Center

The Stimson Center seeks interns for a professional and educational experience in discovering the way in which non-profit organizations can contribute to the understanding of issues in international peace and security. Stimson offers unique internship opportunities based on the values of education, participation and hands-on practical knowledge.

Based on the Center's commitment to professional development, expectations for interns are high. In return, interns can expect a challenging environment which will prepare them for full time employment in a professional setting.

Internships are volunteer experience only. All internships are unpaid.

Major responsibilities

Internships at the Stimson Center focus on the areas of research, professional development, and project administration. Internships may include:

• Proofreading, editing and distributing Stimson publications
• Writing brief summaries of activities in the news
• Helping to maintain the Stimson Center website
• Tracking specific issue areas in the media
• Taking notes in meetings both on and off-site
• Project coordination
• Working as a team with members of the Stimson staff and other interns
• Administrative activities which will contribute to a better understanding of how non-profit organizations operate

Applicants are not expected to have specialized expertise, but should be highly motivated and sincere in their desire for an internship that is challenging and professional in nature. Interns can expect close and constant interaction with program staff, including their respective Project Directors. Under the oversight of the Project Director, the supervising Research Associate will be asked to prepare an evaluation of the intern's performance at the midpoint and at the close of the internship. The intern will also be expected to evaluate the internship program at the Stimson Center and his/her individual experience.

Project Areas

The Stimson Center seeks interns in the following project areas (to learn more about each project, please visit the Stimson website at www.stimson.org):

• Unblocking the Road to Zero
• Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense
• Communications
• Future of Peace Operations
• Regional Voices
• Southwest Asia/Gulf
• South Asia and Space
• East Asia
• Southeast Asia
• Global Health Security
• Managing Across Boundaries

Please note that not all projects hire interns for every cycle, although most do.

Professional Development

The Stimson Center also hosts a regular professional development series for interns, allowing them the opportunity to interact with Stimson Center management and senior associates; leaders in the public (government agencies, NGOs, other think tanks, graduate universities) and private (defense, consulting firms) sectors; and other individuals that will help the intern to expand his/her interests and skill set.

Recently, our interns have gone on to careers in the State Department, the Department of Defense, the United Nations, various think tanks, and other organizations. Others have chosen to continue their education at graduate programs, including those atGeorgetown, SAIS at Johns Hopkins,Princeton, etc.

For the Winter/Spring internship cycle, the Application deadline is November 15th. Applications submitted after November 15th will not be considered.

To apply, please e-mail the following documents to internships@stimson.org:

1. A copy of our Application Form (http://www.stimson.org/about/employment/internships/#howtoapply), titled: Last Name, First Name - Application Form
2. Your resume, titled: Last Name, First Name - Resume
3. A cover letter explaining interest in the position, availability, and interest in a specific project or projects, titled: Last Name, First Name - Cover Letter
4. A short writing sample (no more than 5 pages), titled: Last Name, First Name - Sample

- OR -

• Submit the above FOUR documents in one file, titled: Last Name, First Name - Complete Application

Applicants will be interviewed over the phone or when possible, in person. The selection process takes approximately one month following the deadline. Complete application packets should be sent to: internships@stimson.org.

Please note that applications sent via fax or mail will not be accepted. The Stimson Center is also not able to accept phone inquiries.