Applications are now being accepted for spring 2023 internships. Please note the requirements and timeline below.

If you are a current undergraduate or graduate student who is passionate about understanding the world and contributing to meaningful local conversations that bring a global perspective to our community, we’d love to talk with you! The IRC may have an internship available that will give you valuable experience in the nonprofit sector, supplement your studies, and put your professional skills to use.

For more than 65 years, the IRC has been where Kansas City considers international affairs and meets community members with a deep interest in the world. From expert speakers and panels to discussion groups and chances to explore the world from home, the IRC grows a global perspective in our community. We center crucial skills like empathy, media literacy, and active listening to bridge differences of opinion and promote informed civil discourse around world events, global issues, and their impact on our community. We welcome diverse perspectives because our understanding of the world, our community, and ourselves is richer when a spectrum of voices are at the table.

The International Relations Council strengthens Kansas City’s global perspective by maintaining an active dialogue around world events, global issues, and their impact on our community. As a nonpartisan, educational nonprofit organization, the IRC values informed civil discourse, accessibility, and substance as we work to sharpen our community’s 21st-century global acumen. Our vision is a globally informed, engaged, and active Kansas City community that welcomes diverse perspectives and connects through a sincere desire to contribute to our shared future.

Location: The IRC’s offices are located in Kansas City’s historic Union Station. Internships for spring 2023 will be conducted primarily from the IRC’s offices, with some flexibility for remote work on a consistent schedule.

Time commitment: 10-15 hours per week (fall and spring internships) with a consistent schedule to be identified with the student; 15-20 hours per week (summer internships), due to the shorter duration of summer internships

Compensation: Our internships are unpaid positions; however, we are happy to work with your school to help you receive academic credit for your internship. We also offer a transportation stipend for individuals who successfully complete their internship.

Please Note: The International Relations Council is a nonprofit organization located in Kansas City, Missouri, that works primarily with the greater Kansas City area. While we welcome participation in our virtual programs from around the world, intern applicants should have a clear connection to the greater Kansas City area. For world affairs organizations in other parts of the U.S., please check out the World Affairs Councils of America roster of Councils.

Qualifications

  • Undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student, including recent graduates, whose area of study is relevant to the internship desired
  • Strong communication skills in English, evidenced by application materials and interview
  • Time and project management
  • Proven dependability, efficiency, and team skills
  • Creativity
  • Professionalism and integrity
  • Developed cross-cultural competence, evidenced by prior work, study, or travel
  • A clear connection to the greater Kansas City area
  • Additional qualifications as indicated in the description for each internship

Benefits to the intern

  • Practical application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom
  • Exposure to multiple aspects of nonprofit operations and an office environment
  • Increased familiarity and connections with international efforts in the Kansas City metro area
  • Stronger teamwork, attention to detail, organizational skills, and follow-through on multi-step projects
  • Where it can be arranged with your college/university, academic credit for your work with the IRC
  • A transportation stipend for individuals who successfully complete their internship

What past interns are saying

“I cannot recommend the IRC enough to any college student seeking an internship. Each new day at the IRC proved to be a different and unique challenge, as I met a wide range of practitioners and experts in politics and statecraft across the Kansas City metro area.” (Avery, American University, summer 2017)

Our vision is a globally informed, engaged and active Kansas City community. We want our students to buy cialis generics if they have symptoms of erectile dysfunction and that they get rid of them.

“Working with the IRC really improved my skillset in terms of problem-solving, communication, and professionalism. The interns here don’t make coffee; they work on projects that really matter.” (MJ, University of Central Missouri, fall 2017)

Past interns have attended

  • American University
  • Avila University
  • Baker University
  • Boston College
  • Fordham University
  • George Washington University
  • Metropolitan Community College
  • Miami University (Ohio)
  • Missouri Western State University
  • New York University
  • Park University
  • University of Arkansas
  • University of Central Missouri
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Missouri–Kansas City
  • University of St. Andrews (Scotland)
  • University of St. Mary
  • William Jewell College

Timeline (for fall internships)

  • Late October – positions posted
  • Friday, November 18 – applications due
  • November 21-23 – interviews
  • Late January through early May – spring internship

Available positions include internships in communications, events, fund development, global education, and membership. After reviewing the descriptions for the positions below, please apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and, if required, a work sample (see individual descriptions for requirements) to mhughes@irckc.org with “Internship Application” in the subject line. Please send all attachments as a single, combined PDF file. To be considered, applications must be complete and received by 5:00 p.m. Central time on Friday, November 18. When you apply, please be sure to make clear the internship(s) and semester for which you would like to be considered. You may apply for up to two different positions with the same application; please be sure to follow instructions for each position. Thank you for your interest in supporting the work of the International Relations Council!

COMMUNICATIONS INTERN

Communications are key to the success of any nonprofit organization and are particularly important for building the community of a membership organization. The communications intern will help to map a communications strategy for the IRC, contribute to the organization’s weekly newsletter, and develop and implement communications plans. Prior experience with email systems (Exact Target, MailChimp, Constant Contact, etc.) preferred. With your application, please send a writing sample of no more than 500 words.

EVENTS INTERN

The IRC regularly hosts and partners to present a variety of events ranging from lectures and panel discussions to special events with academics, diplomats, journalists, and interested community members. As we emerge from Covid-19, many events remain digital. The events intern will help to coordinate logistics, registration, and execution of IRC events. Previous experience in planning and carrying out events, including digital events, of a variety of sizes and types a plus, but all applications should be detail-oriented and organized.

FUND DEVELOPMENT INTERN

As a nonprofit organization, the IRC relies on funding from a variety of sources to support our work. The fund development intern will help to strategize and execute the IRC’s fundraising efforts, including assisting with finding grant opportunities and writing proposals, writing fundraising appeals, seeking event sponsorships, and other fundraising-related activities as needed. Strong writing and organizational skills, combined with a keen attention to detail, are required. With your application, please send a writing sample of no more than 500 words.

GLOBAL EDUCATION INTERN

The IRC works with a variety of area K-12 schools to put on Academic WorldQuest, a spring Quiz Bowl–style program on international topics, and Your Global Future, a fall college and career fair for high-school students. We are also looking to restart and develop a number of other K-12 initiatives with local schools. The global education intern will support these projects. Education majors and teachers-in-training will be given preference for this internship.

MEMBERSHIP INTERN

The membership intern will support IRC processes around outreach and member onboarding, membership signups and renewals, and member recognition for individuals and organizations. Strong phone and writing skills a must. Prior experience with customer service and membership organizations a plus.