Background: Founded as the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) in 1996, SALDEF is the oldest Sikh American civil rights and educational organization in the United States. We empower Sikh Americans through four program areas: legal assistance, educational outreach, legislative advocacy and media relations. Summary: The SALDEF Internship Program offers Sikh American youth rare opportunities for political advocacy and leadership development. The program educates students on issues of civil rights, public policy, and the legislative process. Students will gain practical experience in community organizing, research and writing, legal issues, political action, and educational outreach. SALDEF is seeking interns to assist in the following 4 areas: Legal Research Interns (2 positions) Intern(s) will conduct legal research on issues relating to religious freedom under the supervision of SALDEF’s Legal Director. The Intern(s) will be encouraged to develop writing projects for submission to law reviews and other legal periodicals. Applicant must be enrolled at an accredited law school, have excellent research and writing skills, and must be mature, responsible, and goal-oriented. Legislative Interns (2 positions) Intern(s) will be intimately involved with lobbying on National and State legislation. Functions include organizing lobby visits with Congressional offices, drafting official correspondence supporting specific legislation, and engaging in an innovative legislative strategy on hate crimes, religious freedom, racial profiling, and immigration. Applicant must be highly self-motivated and mature. Legislative experience is not necessary. Communications Intern (1 position) Intern will work with SALDEF staff to develop a comprehensive professional communications strategy with the goal of expanding SALDEF’s reach into the community and relationships with national and international media outlets. Applicant must have some background in Journalism, Communications, or a comparable field. Experience in advanced Web 2.0 initiatives required. Development Interns (2 positions) Intern(s) will work with senior SALDEF staff assisting in the design and implementation of a development strategy to grow SALDEF’s organizational capacity and community outreach efforts. Applicant must have experience in Business, Management or comparable field. Qualifications: The program is designed for Sikh American students, although students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicant must exhibit; excellent writing/research skills; demonstrated academic achievement; skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications; good work ethic and motivated highly desirable; attention to detail a must. Benefits: Applicants will have the opportunity to be mentored by civil rights leaders and attend political events in the Nation’s Capital. Applicants will have the unique opportunity to work on National issues of concern and develop critical project management and implementation skills and techniques. College credit for internship has also been arranged in the past. Education: Applicants must have completed at least one year of undergraduate studies. Preferred College Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors; Graduate Students. Location: Applicants are preferred to work in Washington, DC. Remote access work is offered on a case-by-case basis. Time: Internships are offered full-time (40 hours per week) and with occasional weekend and evening commitments Schedules are flexible according to each candidate’s commitments. Stipend: Availability is based on a case-by-case basis. Deadline: ROLLING To Apply: Interested applicants should send a cover letter with references, resume, and 5-page writing sample to the below address. If applying for a stipend, please add a Statement of Need. SALDEF C/O Internship Director 1413 K Street NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20005 Faxes accepted at (202) 318-4433 Email applications as word attachments to info@saldef.org
