[Internship, San Francisco CA] Tech Policy Hub Intern – Design and Communications/Operations, The Aspen Institute
Sarah Fathallah
<sarah.fathallah@gmail.com>The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.
Overview of Aspen Digital and the Aspen Tech Policy Hub
Aspen Digital empowers policy-makers, civic organizations, companies, and the public to be responsible stewards of technology and media in the service of an informed, just, and equitable world. We shine a light on urgent global issues across the information ecosystem, cybersecurity, tech policy, emerging technology, urban innovation, and the industry talent pipeline. Our initiatives then turn ideas to action and develop human solutions to these digital challenges. Aspen Digital is a program of the Aspen Institute, a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society.
The Aspen Tech Policy Hub, a program of Aspen Digital, is a West Coast policy incubator, training a new generation of tech policy entrepreneurs. We take tech experts, teach them the policy process through fellowship and training programs, and encourage them to develop outside-the-box solutions to society’s problems. We model ourselves after tech incubators like Y Combinator, but train new policy thinkers and focus the impact of their ideas. To date, we have trained two cohorts of fifteen fellows each, and have run an executive leadership program.
Basic Function
The Aspen Tech Policy Hub seeks a paid part-time intern (expected commitment: 10-20 hours a week, with hourly pay of $18/hour) to work closely with the Director and Hub team to spearhead design and communications for its programming, as well as to assist with operations and events. The ideal candidate will be flexible and able to turn around projects in a timely manner. Possible work includes:
Design
Graphic design – Logos, icons, infographics, and symbols
Layout design – One-pagers, research reports, and slide decks
UI/UX design – Wireframes and front-end web design on platforms including WordPress and Google Sites
Collaboration with other design resources (such as contracted web developers and layout designers) to deliver digital and print assets
Communications and Operations
Managing social media, including by drafting tweets, LinkedIn posts, and emails for public communication
Advertising events to like-minded organizations
Organizing large databases of contacts
Emailing and scheduling meetings with professional contacts
Potential applicants should have experience completing design work in at least one of the three categories listed above (graphic, layout, UI/UX), and should be organized, responsible, reliable, and able to meet tight deadlines. Preferred applicants will also have some experience in communications, and especially in social media outreach. This is the perfect role for a student interested in further developing their design and communications skills and learning about the operations of a tech policy non-profit.
In addition to a cover letter and resume, applicants should provide a portfolio of design work that includes at least three previous pieces they have led in designing. Ideal portfolio pieces will showcase the applicant’s ability to create or follow brand guidelines for a company, organization, or club. This portfolio should be uploaded in the “Additional Files” section of the application.
The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.
Candidate must have the ability to work under pressure and handle stress. Candidate must also have the ability to meet the regular attendance policy of the Aspen Institute.