Tag Archives: immigration law and policy

Migration Policy Institute (MPI)

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Application Deadline for Summer 2012 Internships: March 1, 2012
About MPI’s Internship Program
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank dedicated to the study of migration worldwide. Based in Washington, DC, MPI works closely with policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to analyze, develop, and evaluate migration and refugee policies at the local, state, national, and international level. Since MPI’s inception, the internship program has trained over 100 future global migration scholars and policy analysts. Publication opportunities are available to interns, and over half of MPI’s interns are now published authors in the field of migration. We offer Research and Editorial/Communications internships.

Research Internships
MPI seeks current college seniors and advanced-degree students as well as college graduates for full- and part-time research internships. Interns provide support to MPI researchers in one or more of the following program areas:
US Immigration: Assessment of border enforcement efforts, current and proposed state and federal immigration legislation, effect of changes to immigration law and policy, and prospects for immigration reform.
US Immigrant Integration: Early-childhood programs and the children of immigrants, K-12 immigrant education, adult language and literacy, state and local immigration regulation, and employment and workforce development.
Transatlantic Council on Migration: European immigration and integration policies in the areas of citizenship and civic participation, economic growth and competitiveness, religion and public life, mobility and security, and migration and development.
Migration and Development: Contributions of diaspora populations to economic, social, and political development in migrants’ countries of origin; and migrant worker protections.
Regional Migration Study Group: Research relating to Mexico and Central America, including analysis of the regional relationship and regional migration policies, border systems and security, immigrant integration, social and education policy, labor market issues, and migration and development.
Within each of these substantive areas, research intern duties include:
  • Contribute to overall MPI research efforts, including through independent quantitative and/or qualitative research and policy analysis
  • Write paper drafts and prepare literature summaries
  • Assist in the production and dissemination of MPI publications
  • Update and create new online tools on the MPI Data Hub
  • Provide administrative support to MPI on migration-related events
  • Attend and summarize congressional hearings and other relevant public and private events for MPI staff
  • Assist with partial coverage of the reception desk and other light administrative tasks.
Foreign language skills and computer proficiency prove helpful for certain projects, as do strong quantitative skills.
Editorial/Communications Internships
MPI seeks college seniors and advanced degree students as well as college graduates for full- and part-time editorial/communications internships. Interns work with both MPI’s Communications team and the Migration Information Source, MPI’s award-winning online journal. Monthly issues of the Source feature data and articles about the movement of people worldwide.
As part of their general responsibilities, Editorial/Communications Interns may:
  • Fact-check, edit, copy edit, and write articles for publication
  • Research potential authors and issues
  • Assist in the production and dissemination of MPI publications, press releases, and other external relations materials
  • Assist the Communications team in carrying out events-related activities
  • Research media outlet contact information for targeted outreach
  • Maintain and update existing MPI databases, including MPI’s contact database
  • Write publications summaries
  • Participate in the effort to improve MPI’s websites and social networking sites
  • Assist with partial coverage of the reception desk and other light administrative tasks.
Strong editorial skills and computer proficiency are required.
More Details about MPI’s Internship Program
The MPI internship program lasts for four months and is divided into three cycles over the course of the year. There is some flexibility in internship start and end dates, but the Spring internship cycle generally runs from January through April, the Summer cycle from May through August, and the Fall semester from September through December.
Internships are available on both full- and part-time basis. A stipend is offered to full-time interns and a prorated stipend is available for those interns who work part-time. Students also may arrange to obtain credit for their work. In addition, we offer reimbursement for daily transportation to and from MPI.
For all positions, applicants must be at least a senior in college, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Minority applicants and/or applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. You need not be a US citizen to apply; however, all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States before your internship. We do not sponsor for work/trainee visas for interns or cover relocation expenses.
Applications Deadlines
November 1 – for Spring Semester
March 1 – for Summer Semester
July 1 – for Fall Semester
To Apply
Interested applicants should send to internship@migrationpolicy.org the following materials:
  • CV/Resume
  • Cover letter describing your interest in migration and/or public policy issues
  • A writing sample that showcases your ability to write clearly and analytically (up to five pages).
  • A transcript (either official or unofficial) from colleges/universities that you have attended that shows classes you have taken along with class grades
Electronic submissions are strongly preferred. However, hard copies can be mailed to:
Director of MPI’s Internship Program
Migration Policy Institute
1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
For additional information, you may contact internship@migrationpolicy.org. Please submit one application but indicate the desired internship(s) and, if applicable, program area/s in the subject line. Due to the large number of applicants, only those being considered for the position will be contacted. No phone calls please.