Communication Associate (Internship)

Position:CommunicationsAssociate Internship

Reports To:Press Secretary or Graphic Designer
Job Type:Internship/Fellowship
Work Location:Hybrid (based in Lansing)

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The CommunicationsAssociateis a temporary educational position designed to provide students with exposure to labor communications work without performing bargaining-unit duties covered by the IBT Local 243 contract. The CommunicationsAssociatefocuses on learning observation research and administrative support and does not includeany duties regularly or historically assigned to bargaining-unit employees.

The intern will work under close supervision and will receive hands-on learning opportunities to understand how communication supports the labor movement. Under the direction of the Press Secretary or Graphic Designer the CommunicationsAssociate(s)willassistin developing and executing earned owned and digital media strategies for learning purposes.

TIME COMMITMENT & COMPENSATION

• This is a part-time paid opportunity.

• Contribute a minimum of 10 hours per week though availability for 20 hours per week is preferred.

• Interns are expected to work 12-14 weekson periods consistent with fall spring and summer college semester schedules.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Communications Associate internship is structured as alearning and training opportunityand is not intended to replace supplement or perform work assigned to bargaining-unit employees covered by the IBT Local 243 collective bargaining agreement. Responsibilities are limited toeducational observational research and administrative support activitiesperformed under close supervision.

Research & Academic Support

• Conduct background research on labor issues public policy topics or current events to support learningobjectives.

• Compile research summaries media scans or content audits for review by supervisory staff.

• Assistwith fact-checking and proofreading draftmaterialsfor learning and training purposes.

Administrative & Training-Based Assistance

• Perform administrative tasks related to organizing digital files tracking content calendars or updating internal databases.

• Assistwith scheduling organizing or documenting communications projects for instructional purposes.

• Support the preparation of draft materials (e.g. sample social media posts mock press releases or graphics) that are reviewed andfinalizedby non-intern staff.

Skill Development Projects

• Complete supervised learning projects designed to build writing editing graphic design or digital media skills.

• Participate in training exercises using communications tools and platforms in anon-production capacity.

• Receive feedback and coaching on drafts and sample work as part of professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• College students (undergraduate or masters) withminimumundergraduate sophomore standing.

• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear persuasive and compelling content per learningobjectives.

• Willingness to learn and grow communications digital media public affairs political campaignsjournalismand related skill sets.

• Ability to manage multiple administrative tasks.

• Commitment to strengthen Michigans labor movement.

• Familiarity with social media platforms (Facebook Instagram TikTok X/Twitter LinkedIn) and digital publishing tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience using digital organizing tools (Action Network Mobilize email CRMs etc.)

• Basic graphic design or video editing experience (Canva Adobe Creative Suite CapCut etc.)

Knowledge of Michigan politics labor unions or advocacy spaces.

HOW TO APPLY

• Pleasesubmitthe following to emailprotected with the subject line CommunicationsAssociate Intern Your Name: Arésumébrief coverletter3 writing or digital media samples (social media press releases op-eds or similar from school or work).Include at least one piece of writing that exceeds a page (usean academic paper if necessary).

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

JUSTICE EQUITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION - EEOC

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer andseeksto build diversity among our officers staff and members. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy age national origin disability status genetic information protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Women people of color LGBTQ veterans and disabled candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATION

The Michigan AFL-CIO is a non-profit federation of more than forty labor unions representing over 1 million working people across Michigan. Our mission is to improve the lives of working familiesto bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation. Employees of the Michigan AFL-CIO may work in collaboration with one or all of our affiliated nonprofit organizations in the Federation including:

Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute: our affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization wasestablishedto combat economic and environmental injustice by connecting the unemployed or underemployed with the training and resources necessary to find gainful employment and transition Michigan to a cleaner greener economy.

Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation: our affiliated 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organizationestablishedto combat economic and social injustice by connecting the working people with resources within Michigans charitableeducationaland legal systems.

Michigan AFL-CIO Advocates: our affiliated 501(c)(4) non-profit organization wasestablishedto unite labor leaders policymakers and the public to educate and advocate for policies programs and projects to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to communities across Michigan.