Brookings Fall 2020, Research & Events Internship, Center for Middle East Policy, Foreign Policy--Apply by August 28

 Brookings Fall 2020, Research & Events Internship, Center for Middle East Policy, Foreign Policy--Apply by August 28

Overview

Interns spend approximately 10 weeks remotely working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills. 

Interns will have the opportunity to attend virtual meetings, local think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events. In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution.

This external sponsorship/academic focused remote-based internship, beginning in October 2020, is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year with an interest in public policy and international affairs, and the Middle East, North Africa, and U.S. policy toward the region, to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. The internship is offered on the basis of academic credit and/or external financial support.

Applicants must be willing to commit to 20 hours per week during regular business hours, with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

Responsibilities

Learning Objectives

The intern will acquire substantive professional experience while working at Brookings with the Center for Middle East Policy (CMEP) staff and scholars. Interns will have the opportunity to provide programmatic and administrative assistance, events coordination, and research support. The intern will support research on projects that examine issues such as the new geopolitical order of the Middle East, the U.S. relationship with its autocratic allies, and the rise of populism and its impact on U.S. relations with the Middle East. By the end of the internship, students will hone organizational, analytical, and professional interpersonal skills while assisting CMEP in its mission to foster high-level U.S. – Middle Eastern dialogue on the changes in Middle East and the global challenges that affect regional relations. 

The intern will gain first-hand experience in public policy and international affairs by assisting in the logistical planning and implementation of conferences, roundtables, briefings, and other virtual meetings; researching developing issues in the Middle East; monitoring current developments in relevant research areas; proofreading, fact-checking, and editing research materials; collecting, reviewing, summarizing, and assembling relevant literature materials from a wide variety of sources; compiling and updating mailing, media, and invitation lists; attending virtual foreign policy events; briefing CMEP staff members; and general administrative support.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Undergraduate students in their junior year or senior year working towards a degree in a relevant field (i.e. international affairs, foreign policy, political science, international law, international political economy, or related fields), and who have demonstrated knowledge of the politics, international relations, cultures, and/or languages of the Middle East and North Africa, may apply. 

Acute attention to detail, excellent research and writing, editing, and professional communication skills are highly desirable. Exceptional character and excellent organizational, reasoning, and analytical skills are integral.  A keen ability to understand foreign policy issues is important, along with good interpersonal skills, flexibility, discretion, and capacity to handle and respond appropriately and professionally in a fast-paced and highly productive atmosphere. 

English fluency is required; proficiency in a regional language (Arabic, Hebrew, Farsi) is a plus. 

Additional Information:

This is a remote only opportunity. This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings.

To be eligible for this internship, applicants must receive either academic credit or financial sponsorship from their university or another external organization and, once selected, be able to provide proof of such receipt.  [In other words, this is unpaid.  Note that UMD provides some scholarship support for unpaid internships.  Students are responsible for applying for scholarships such as BSOS Experience Funds.  Click here to submit your application for Fall 2020 experiences. Deadline to apply is Friday, August 14 at 5 PM. Discuss with the internship coordinator for your department or college eligibility for academic credit.]  

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and add your cover letter as an attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship you apply to. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.

Selected applicants will additionally be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.  

Applications will be accepted until August 28, 2020. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).

Brookings is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law.