Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of time commitment should I expect?

What it the time span of an internship?

As an intern, what what will I be doing?

Are internships with the Council paid?

Is student status necessary to be considered for an internship?

How can I fully utilize my internship?

How will I be supported during my internship?

What skills can I add to my resume after completing an internship with the World Affairs Council?

How can I stay connected?

Q: What kind of time commitment should I expect?

A: We require all interns to commit 12 – 15 hours per week for at least 3 months; however, interns available for 6 months will be given priority. The longer time span enables you to not only take advantage of more Council resources, but also offers you the opportunity to build your resume and develop key skills demanded in most positions. Interns are also expected to volunteer at 4 – 5 Council events during the duration of their internship. Volunteering at events provides an opportunity to see the work of the Council in action, network with community members as well as providing free access to events with diplomats, celebrated authors, political figures, and experts from a wide range of fields. Former interns tell us they wished they had set aside more time to attend events. As one intern said: “Whatever you put into your internship, you will get out of your internship.”

Q: What it the time span of an internship?

A: Internships with the Council run on a quarter schedule as most universities in the area use quarters verses semesters. The spring internship is from roughly March 31 till June 15, however exact dates are flexible. Again, we do encourage interns to extend their internship for a longer period of time if possible.

Q: As an intern, what will I be doing?

A: While the daily tasks of an intern vary depending on the department and the needs of the Council, you can find a list of general tasks here.

Q: Are internships with the Council paid?

Internships with the World Affairs Council are unpaid, but do offer great opportunities for professional development and mentorship. As an intern, the resources at the Council are also available to you, enabling you to search for job opportunities, work on resumes, or meet with people who can assist you with your employment goals. Intern schedules are generally easily accommodated by their supervisor, making school or work schedules easy to schedule around.

Q: Is student status necessary to be considered for an internship?

You need not be a student to apply for an internship with the Council. Our intern pool is usually diverse with some undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates and even some looking for a career change. Staff are prepared to support interns no matter where they are at in order to achieve specific goals.

Q: How can I fully utilize my internship?

The World Affairs Council’s goal is to provide interns with the best internship in the Puget Sound. We have high expectations of our interns and our expectation is that interns will seek out the opportunities given to them. We provide ongoing opportunities for interns to develop their professional skills such as offering resume and cover letter workshops or one-on-one assistance, as well as setting up brown bag lunches with former U.S. Foreign Service Officers and key community members to discuss different career paths or entry points into specific professions. Interns are also encouraged to give short presentations on a specific topic, experience, or country of interest to a captivated WAC staff audience!

Being flexible is essential to get the most out of an internship at the WAC. This enables you to attend community events and to network with our members.You may also attend meetings with high-level international delegates to utilize your cross-cultural communication skills, understand meeting logistics, and to provide a vital link between international visitors and the work of the Council.

Clearly communicating your goals with your supervisor will also enable you to fully utilize your internship. If your supervisor knows what you want out of your internship, they can do their best to create opportunities for you to achieve your goals.

Q: How will I be supported during my internship?

A: We keep busy at the World Affairs Council, but we are also invested in our interns’ professional development. Many supervisors are happy to look over a resume or help interns set up an informational interview to learn more about a specific company or organization. One of the most important ways we can support you is through constructive feedback so you can continue to grow professionally. A general orientation is provided for our interns on their first day in order to associate them with the general mission of the council as well as provide general training. You will then have both a midterm and a final evaluation with your supervisor, both of which will include advice on how to improve your skills and to discuss any newly developed goals.

Q: What skills can I add to my resume after completing an internship with the World Affairs Council?

A: An internship with the World Affairs Council provides an unmatched opportunity to expand your employability and build on your professional skills. General skills are listed below (this may differ from department to department and specific projects during your internship):

• A meticulous attention to detail
• Assisting with event coordination and community event planning
• Extensive experience with database entry and maintenance
• Ability to work with a networked computer system
• Grant writing and research capabilities
• Experience with a non-profit business model
• Website capabilities on Macromedia Dreamweaver
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced office environment
• Experience with cross-cultural communication

Q: How can I stay connected?

A: Each intern receives a certificate of completion and a complimentary 1-year WAC membership, which keeps interns connected to upcoming events at a discounted price. Many interns continue to volunteer their time at upcoming events, accompanying International Visitors, attending World Affairs Council receptions and occasionally joining us at happy hour. A formal Facebook group has been established to give former interns the opportunity to network, stay up on WAC events, and keep in touch with each other.

An intern newsletter is also sent out monthly notifying former interns of available positions in the Seattle community as well as across the country in internationally focused organizations.