Intern – Communications

Posted by Ebrahim Randeree on

Part- Time, Tallahassee, Florida
(Paid Internship, approximately 20 hours per week, for a period of two
semesters.)

In this paid internship based in the Tallahassee area, you will support the
Florida AARP State Office communication activities, including writing and researching news releases, media advisories and other media-relations
materials; researching, creating and managing social media and web sites; checking facts related to news items; assisting in planning and executing spe-cial events; writing broadcast scripts and feature stories for AARP websites and newsletters, updating AARP calendar listings; monitoring media coverage of AARP and targeted issues (such as Social Security, Medicare, financial fraud and retirement security), and performing other duties as required.
Requirements:

  • Must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program leading to a Bachelor’s/Master’s in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field;
  • must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
  • understanding of the news gathering process and news writing experience;
  • computer skills including Word, Excel, Windows, and Adobe;
  • and the ability to work independently, contribute to a team, exercise initiative, and work a maximum of 20 hours per week.
  • Prefer Junior, Senior and Graduate level candidates.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by sending a cover letter, resume, and a recommendation letter from a professor by 5 p.m. Dec. 12, 2012 to Communications Manager Dave Bruns at dbruns@aarp.org. Please include “AARP Communications Intern Application” and your name in the email subject line.

 

More Information on the Internship:
On the position:

  • This is not a typical intern position. Interns are provided with professional-level assignments and are expected to be fully contributing members of a high-achieving professional communications team.
  • Interns not only work on typical PR tactics (press releases, stories for publications, etc.), they are also involved in strategy meetings and have a voice during strategic planning.
  • Occasional travel (never mandatory) to events and press conferences means that you’ll get to meet a wide variety of federal and state officials and volunteers

Interns will gain experience in:
Media relations
Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.)
Marketing, design, advertising
Research, event planning, internal communications
Writing for publications, speeches, talking points
Introduction to the legislative process

On AARP:
 AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.
 AARP is one of the most influential lobbying associations in America
We have 38 million members nationwide; 3 million in Florida
On the staff and office environment:
 The St. Petersburg office is one of three in the state; Tallahassee and Miramar (South Florida) are the others. Our beautiful and spacious office is conveniently
located in the Carillon area of North St. Petersburg. Easily accessible from the whole Bay area.
 Our team is not micromanaged. Our manager and associate manager guide, edit and make suggestions, but they put faith in interns’ abilities.
 This position is ideal for a student intern; the hours are flexible to meet your class schedule, “the boss” is very approachable when an extra few hours to study or finish a school project are needed. (Just don’t abuse it)
 The office is full of thoughtful coworkers, friendly faces and lunch buddies.
Everyone has a great sense of humor (especially our Communications
manager).