Spring Semester Internships with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The White HouseInitiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Washington, D.C., offers part-time and full-time internships during spring and fall semesters and full-time internships during the summer.  Part-time applicants who can commit to at least 20 hours a week will be considered during the spring and fall semesters.  However, priority will be given to those who can commit to a full-time internship.  The Initiative is responsible for the implementation of the President's Executive Order 13515 signed on October 14, 2009.  Its purpose is to develop, monitor, and coordinate executive branch efforts to improve the quality of life of AAPIs through increased participation in federal programs. 

Interns at the Initiative are responsible for assisting the staff in researching a wide range of issues impacting the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, including education, health, economic and community development, civil rights, and labor and employment.  In addition, interns will help develop policy memos and proposals, organize events, and conduct outreach to national and local AAPI organizations, elected officials, federal agencies, and ethnic media outlets.

Applicants for the Intern positions should be graduate students or undergraduates who are enrolled at least half-time.  Ideally, the candidate will already be familiar with issues impacting the AAPI community and have outstanding research, writing, and computer skills. 

If you are interested in applying, please send a statement that describes (1) one issue that affects the AAPI community, (2) a strategy that you would implement at the Initiative to address that issue, and (3) the organizations and/or federal agencies with whom you would collaborate. 

The statement should be submitted to whitehouseaapi@ed.gov and should be no more than one page, single-spaced.  Resumes, transcripts, and cover letters will not be considered at this time, so please limit your submission to the statement. The deadline to apply will be October 15 for the Spring Session (January-May).

All applicants must be:

·         At least 18 years of age

·         Enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited academic institution

·         Authorized to work in the United States

Note: If the applicant is not authorized to work in the United States, the applicant may still be eligible for an internship if (1) the applicant holds a valid student visa (F-1 or M-1), (2) the applicant is enrolled in school in the United States, and (3) the applicant’s school provides documentation that the internship is required for educational purposes. 

All internship positions at the Initiative are unpaid.  The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.