Internship Program

About 15 undergraduate, graduate and recent graduates intern in CDF-Texas (Houston and Austin) offices each year and while a few of the internships give preference to certain majors, everyone with a strong interest in child advocacy is encouraged to apply. CDF interns gain knowledge, skills, and experience for a lifetime commitment as a child advocate and public policy leader. They also get an insider's view of non-profit advocacy. Additionally, former interns stay active in CDF's mission through the CDF Intern Alumni Action Network.

Timeframe

Internships usually last between 8-12 weeks, but some interns stay longer or leave earlier. There are no set start or end dates to internships and CDF accepts applications on a continuous basis. Typical internship timeframes and preferred deadlines are as follows:

Term	Timeframe	Preferred Deadlines
Summer	June-August	We interview on a rolling basis. Please apply as soon as you can.
Fall	September-December	August 16
Winter/Spring	January-May	November 15

Financial Support

CDF-Texas internships are unpaid.

Applicants in need of financial aid to support their internship are encouraged to explore potential funding sources through the career services or alumni offices on their campus. Many colleges offer scholarships, stipends, or off-campus work-study to facilitate participation in public interest internships. It is wise to begin your search for an internship as early as possible if finances are a concern.

Application

Applicants should submit the following items by email to cdftexas@childrensdefense.org and put the title of the desired internship position (ex: MEDIA AND PR INTERNSHIP) in the subject line of your email.

1. Cover Letter
The cover letter should address:

why you want to intern at CDF
skills, knowledge (including relevant course work) and work experience
experience (including research) relevant to an internship at CDF
experience in, or passion for, children's issues and advocacy
your immediate post-internship plans as well as longer term academic/career goals
what you hope to gain from your CDF internship experience

2. Resume

3. Writing Sample (no longer than 2,500 words)
Sample should demonstrate writing and reasoning skills. It may be a paper completed for a class assignment.