Spring 2026 Undergraduate Intern, Media and Communications Strategy

The ACLU seeks an Undergraduate Media and Communications Strategy Intern in the Communications and Marketing Department of the ACLUs National office in New York City or Washington D.C. Thisinternship can be remote or hybrid.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated undergraduate students or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team:

The ACLU communications department creates maintains and expands message narratives to engage our supporters and other target audiences to help protect and expand civil liberties and civil rights and also illustrate the value and impact of the ACLUs transformational work. Through our messaging engagement with newsmakers our written content creative branding and visual identity we encourage support for the ACLU and help to build a more perfect union.

What Youll Do:

The media and communications strategy intern will work on a wide array of civil liberties and civil rights issues including but not limited to advocacy and litigation around free speech immigrants rights national security privacy and technology reproductive rights voting rights and criminal justice reform. The intern will contribute to creating and expanding message narratives and will use strategic communications to help bring attention to ACLU cases and advocate for policies we care about. Interns will get experience on social media media relations storytelling and more.

Your Day to Day

• Contribute to the day-to-day functions of the communications department including writing internal and external-facing materials such as press releases talking points social media posts blogs digital content and media advisories
• Build media expertise by researching and building lists of key reporters editors producers and bookers from a wide array of national and local publications
• Help increase coverage of ACLU issues and messages by crafting and sending pitches to news media on ACLU campaigns and projects
• Monitor news and media trends including tracking press clips
• Engage in research projects that can help inform multi-faceted communications plans which include goals audiences messaging and media relations strategies

What Youll Bring:

• Completion of at least the first year of an undergraduate degree in communications public relations journalism political science or a related field
• At least one semester (or equivalent) internship or work experience in the following areas: journalism public relations communications
• Experience drafting press releases blogs social media posts or other digital content strongly preferred
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Avid news reader; familiarity with news media and online platforms as well as the latest trends in media
• Familiarity with best practices in communications and public relations
• Familiarity with Associated Press style or media relations software such as Cision or Meltwater is a plus

Future ACLU-ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics:

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is part-time from our New York City office and can be remote or hybrid.
• Time Commitment: Part-time (10 15 or 20 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Part-time internships span 12 consecutive weeks. This internship has a start date of: January 12th or January 26th
• Stipend:A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
  • Below are the stipend rates:
    • $20/hr for undergraduate students or equivalent experience
    • $24/hr for graduate and law students or equivalent experience

Priority Application Deadline:November 3rd 2025

While there is a priority deadline our project is committed to reviewing all applications on a rolling basis until the closing of posting.

Why the ACLU:

For over 100 years the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether its ending mass incarceration achieving full equality for the LGBTQ community establishing new privacy protections for our digital age or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility Equity Diversity and Inclusion

Accessibility equity diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty equality and justice for all. For us diversity equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth humility and grace transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether were in the courts or in the office we believe We the People means all of us.

With this commitment in mind we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression age national origin marital status citizenship disability veteran status and record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online please email. If you are selected for an interview you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.

In order to be considered for this position all candidates must formally submit an ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.