08/06/2024
Americans For Financial Reform Education Fund
Fall 2024 Paid Internships
Americans for Financial Reform is working to lay the foundation for a strong, stable, and ethical financial system – one that serves the economy and the nation as a whole, rather than a select few, and we are looking for bright interns to join the fight!
To apply:
Please send a resume, a cover letter, a brief writing sample, and three references to [email protected]. Please specify in your email the specific internship(s) to which you are applying. Please note that we are unable to hire residents from the state of California.
Please submit all applications by Friday, August 16, 2024
Internships available:
The Consumer Financial Justice Policy and Campaigns Internship will work with the Consumer Policy Counsel and the Consumer Financial Justice Field Manager to learn about and address financial and regulatory issues related to consumer protection. We fight for fair rules and equal treatment for consumers, against lenders who earn profit by taking advantage of people and we promote a strong, effective Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Having knowledge and experience with Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook platforms is a plus for this position.
Responsibilities for the Consumer Financial Justice Policy and Campaigns Intern will include:
Staffing and attending meetings with coalition members, policymakers, and other stakeholders
Developing - in collaboration with colleagues - and advancing AFR policy priorities in the areas of predatory lending (including junk fees), lending discrimination, debt collection, student debt and other abusive financial practices
Writing policy memos, regulatory comment letters, reports, and other materials for a range of audiences, including coalition partners, regulatory staff, and Congressional offices.
Analyzing and responding to policy proposals, legislation, and proposed rules
Providing support and coordination for AFR’s issue task forces in these areas, including building the capacity of AFR’s coalition, facilitating collaboration, and developing and implementing strategies to advance our policy goals
Providing support for a variety of coalition activities, including meetings, actions, briefings, virtual events petition deliveries, Congressional hearings, etc
Contributing to digital strategy and content for social media accounts
Engaging in research to highlight the problems in consumer finance and especially drawing connections to the intersection of race, class, finance and politics
Producing materials that collect and summarize important developments in consumer finance and predatory lending
Other duties as assigned
Communications Internship: The communications intern, a position that can last up to a year, will report to the Communications Director and is an opportunity to practice and learn a wide variety of communications skills involved in issue advocacy, often in a very fast-paced environment, and pave the way for further work in this space.
Previous AFR communications interns have spent between 3 and 12 months at the organization and gone on to stimulating jobs in other progressive advocacy organizations, in the federal government, the private sector, and at AFR itself. The Communications Director prioritizes helping interns find full-time employment if they prove eager to learn and capable in their work at AFR.
Responsibilities for the Communications Internship will include:
Collecting and circulating articles helpful to AFR advocacy
Aiding in the creation of AFR’s weekly newsletter, Financial Justice
Writing and editing news releases
Learning and using software for sending news releases and creating lists of journalists
Selected research projects in partnership with campaign and policy staff
Support AFR coalition members if possible/necessary
Assist in organization/execution of AFR events, often online
Participation in intern learning opportunities at AFR and elsewhere
Support Communications Director as needed
Qualifications for the Communications Internship:
Ideal candidates must have a strong commitment to racial justice, economic justice, and social justice. They should have excellent written and oral communication skills, high proficiency with general office software (G-Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and knowledge and experience with social networks. Candidates must also be detail-oriented, with solid judgment and good relationship-building skills. Location in the Washington, DC area is preferred but definitely not essential.
Qualifications for all internships:
Ideal candidates must have a strong commitment to racial justice, economic justice, and social justice. They should have excellent written and oral communication skills, and high proficiency with general office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint preferred). Candidates must also be detail-oriented, with solid judgment and good relationship-building skills.
Compensation:
AFR Ed Fund offers interns a compensation of $17/hour, together with stimulating, soul-satisfying work, and a crash course in public-interest advocacy, financial regulation, communications, and coalition building. Academic credit is available as well.
