Community Engagement Specialist Internships
Community engagement specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience coordinating outreach campaigns and community programs, mentorship from working community engagement specialists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with SRP, WETA, and Wawa among the employers posting roles now.
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Are you currently enrolled in a postsecondary education program (an education or training program after completing a diploma or GED)? Are you eager to make a meaningful impact in communities across the nation and gain practical experience at the same time? Join Strada Education Foundation's summer internship program and be part of a national philanthropic organization focused on better connecting education after high school to meaningful employment and economic opportunity in the U.S.
Learner Engagement and Community Intern
As a Learner Engagement and Community Intern, you will gain exposure to projects and experiences that advance learner voice, foster belonging and inclusion, and provide hands-on experience connecting education to opportunity both inside and outside of Strada.
- Support initiatives that center and elevate learner voices across Strada's programs and investments.
- Contribute to projects and events that foster community engagement, belonging, and inclusive excellence inside and outside the organization.
- Assist with planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to advance Strada’s internship program.
- Participate in team strategy meetings, research, and project tracking to support departmental goals.
About Strada
Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit social impact organization that supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education or training (PSET). Our strategic plan focuses on five focus areas: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable PSET, work-based learning, and employer alignment.
Strada works with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations as tools to help advance equitable pathways to opportunity. Strada aspires to be a nonprofit partner of choice, working with education and training providers, leaders, policymakers, and peer organizations. Strada offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring professional environment that provides learning and professional development opportunities, both within the organization and with external partners.
Internship Overview
Duration: May 18, 2027 - August 13, 2027
Hours: Minimum of 30 hours per week (seasonal employee)
Pay: $22.75/hour undergrad; $25/hour grad
Location: (Hybrid) Indianapolis, IN (in-office on Tuesdays, department-specific days, and other days as needed for special events)
Travel: Up to 15% for Professional Development
Program Experience
The Strada summer internship program offers a paid, 13-week, hands-on learning experience for students who are at least one year post-high school. This opportunity is ideal for those seeking to gain experience in social impact while engaging in meaningful functional work. As part of this cohort-based program, interns will gain exposure to nonprofit operations, engage with leadership, and build a network that spans both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Interns will work on impactful projects, participate in skill-building activities, and attend professional development events such as speaker series and informational interviews.
The internship program will run from May 18, 2027, to August 13, 2027. Interns must be based in Central Indiana and available for the entire duration of the internship. Interns will work out of the office at least two days per week (Tuesdays and one other department-specific day). Additional in-office days may be required for professional development workshops and special events. There may also be opportunities to travel to conferences and workshops during the program.
What You'll Gain:
- Exposure to Nonprofit, Postsecondary Education, and Workforce Development Sectors: Participate in leadership speaker series, lunch-and-learns, and industry interviews.
- High-Impact Work Experiences: Gain functional skills through rotational work and real-world projects with colleagues across diverse teams.
- Coaching, Mentorship, and Professional Networking: Receive quality mentorship and coaching from supervisors and executives. Build your professional network through community events and leadership exposure.
Qualifications:
- At least one year out of high school and currently enrolled in or accepted into a postsecondary education or training program (college, apprenticeship, boot camp, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and contribute in a collaborative environment.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent attention to detail, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Office; familiarity with Zoom and Slack is a plus.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently while being open to feedback.
- Passionate about promoting equitable opportunities in education and employment.
- Positive attitude with a strong willingness to collaborate, contribute, and enhance the experience of the entire internship cohort.
To apply for the Strada Education Foundation Summer Internship Program, please:
- Attach Your Resume
- Submit a Cover Letter detailing your interest in the internship.
- Submit a Loom Video (instructions below)
Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.
Are you currently enrolled in a postsecondary education program (an education or training program after completing a diploma or GED)? Are you eager to make a meaningful impact in communities across the nation and gain practical experience at the same time? Join Strada Education Foundation's summer internship program and be part of a national philanthropic organization focused on better connecting education after high school to meaningful employment and economic opportunity in the U.S.
Learner Engagement and Community Intern
As a Learner Engagement and Community Intern, you will gain exposure to projects and experiences that advance learner voice, foster belonging and inclusion, and provide hands-on experience connecting education to opportunity both inside and outside of Strada.
- Support initiatives that center and elevate learner voices across Strada's programs and investments.
- Contribute to projects and events that foster community engagement, belonging, and inclusive excellence inside and outside the organization.
- Assist with planning, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to advance Strada’s internship program.
- Participate in team strategy meetings, research, and project tracking to support departmental goals.
About Strada
Strada Education Foundation is a national nonprofit social impact organization that supports programs, policies, and organizations that strengthen connections between education and employment in the U.S., with a special focus on helping those who have faced the greatest challenges securing economic opportunity through postsecondary education or training (PSET). Our strategic plan focuses on five focus areas: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordable PSET, work-based learning, and employer alignment.
Strada works with partners in education and training, nonprofit organizations, industry, startups, and public policy. We leverage strategic philanthropy, investments, research, communications, advocacy, and collaborating organizations as tools to help advance equitable pathways to opportunity. Strada aspires to be a nonprofit partner of choice, working with education and training providers, leaders, policymakers, and peer organizations. Strada offers a dynamic, collaborative, and inspiring professional environment that provides learning and professional development opportunities, both within the organization and with external partners.
Internship Overview
Duration: May 18, 2027 - August 13, 2027
Hours: Minimum of 30 hours per week (seasonal employee)
Pay: $22.75/hour undergrad; $25/hour grad
Location: (Hybrid) Indianapolis, IN (in-office on Tuesdays, department-specific days, and other days as needed for special events)
Travel: Up to 15% for Professional Development
Program Experience
The Strada summer internship program offers a paid, 13-week, hands-on learning experience for students who are at least one year post-high school. This opportunity is ideal for those seeking to gain experience in social impact while engaging in meaningful functional work. As part of this cohort-based program, interns will gain exposure to nonprofit operations, engage with leadership, and build a network that spans both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Interns will work on impactful projects, participate in skill-building activities, and attend professional development events such as speaker series and informational interviews.
The internship program will run from May 18, 2027, to August 13, 2027. Interns must be based in Central Indiana and available for the entire duration of the internship. Interns will work out of the office at least two days per week (Tuesdays and one other department-specific day). Additional in-office days may be required for professional development workshops and special events. There may also be opportunities to travel to conferences and workshops during the program.
What You'll Gain:
- Exposure to Nonprofit, Postsecondary Education, and Workforce Development Sectors: Participate in leadership speaker series, lunch-and-learns, and industry interviews.
- High-Impact Work Experiences: Gain functional skills through rotational work and real-world projects with colleagues across diverse teams.
- Coaching, Mentorship, and Professional Networking: Receive quality mentorship and coaching from supervisors and executives. Build your professional network through community events and leadership exposure.
Qualifications:
- At least one year out of high school and currently enrolled in or accepted into a postsecondary education or training program (college, apprenticeship, boot camp, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and contribute in a collaborative environment.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Excellent attention to detail, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
- Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft Office; familiarity with Zoom and Slack is a plus.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently while being open to feedback.
- Passionate about promoting equitable opportunities in education and employment.
- Positive attitude with a strong willingness to collaborate, contribute, and enhance the experience of the entire internship cohort.
To apply for the Strada Education Foundation Summer Internship Program, please:
- Attach Your Resume
- Submit a Cover Letter detailing your interest in the internship.
- Submit a Loom Video (instructions below)
Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.
Community Engagement Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Community Engagement Specialist Internship Search
Apply in fall for summer community engagement roles
Large employers, including government agencies and corporations with structured cohort programs, recruit summer interns the preceding fall. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings consistently across the full academic year so you don't miss the early wave from structured programs.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams expect limited work history at the intern level, so give recruiters something concrete to assess. Document two or three outreach campaigns, community needs assessments, or volunteer programs you coordinated, naming the tools and methods used. A linked portfolio or case study packet signals readiness faster than a list of coursework alone.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Applying directly to organizations running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and surfaces roles that never get posted at university events.
Practice the actual community engagement intern screen out loud
Community engagement specialist intern interviews typically include scenario-based questions on stakeholder communication, event logistics, and conflict resolution within a community context. Practice answering these out loud and walk through your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a community problem as much as the final answer you land on.
Target structured cohort programs built for new entrants
Larger nonprofits, government agencies, and corporations run rotational or university cohort programs specifically designed to train people new to community engagement work. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones aligned with your interests and geography, then apply in the first wave rather than treating them as a backup option.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 29% of the community engagement specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you're only reviewing roles you can actually accept.
Community Engagement Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a community engagement specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a portfolio of outreach campaigns, event plans, or community needs assessments you have completed. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a community engagement specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for community engagement specialist interns is consistent performance on real outreach work, available headcount on the team, and understanding the employer's return-offer timeline early. Position for one by delivering on every assigned project, but don't count on it as a backup plan.
When should I apply for community engagement specialist internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, including nonprofits, government agencies, and corporations with structured cohorts, recruit summer interns the preceding fall. Smaller organizations and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly and apply as soon as a role matches your background rather than waiting for a single peak season.
Are community engagement specialist internships paid?
Most professional community engagement specialist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show pay where the employer discloses it. Nonprofit and government internships sometimes offer stipends rather than hourly wages, so read each listing carefully to understand the structure before applying.
What should a community engagement specialist internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history, naming the tools used and linking to the work where possible, such as published event recaps, community needs assessments, outreach campaign reports, or volunteer program summaries you coordinated. Add relevant coursework in communications, public policy, or social work. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote community engagement specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 71% of the community engagement specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Don't characterize the split as fixed because the share changes as employers post and fill roles. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see available listings before they close.
Can international students get community engagement specialist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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