COHA Research Associates, Fall 2009

Former Research Associates

For more than 30 years, the Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA), a major tax-exempt, nonprofit, and nonpartisan national research and information organization, has offered internships in Washington in the fields of U.S., Latin American, and Canadian relations. These internships provide practical, entry level experience regarding a variety of political, economic, diplomatic, and trade issues. They also provide young scholars with excellent exposure to the policy making process. COHA seeks highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students as well as those who have already earned degrees. During its existence, nearly 1,000 successful candidates have interned in COHA’s Washington office.

COHA internships, which are available throughout the year, are entirely voluntary and are highly competitive (with summer positions being the most sought after). Schedules for the 18-week internships (14 weeks for the summer internships) can be arranged to meet the individual’s needs, although full-time and full-term applicants are given preference in the selection process. Interns play an integral role in COHA’s activities, which include the following: issuing statements and providing commentary to the print and electronic media; submitting articles on hemispheric issues to regional and national media; monitoring human rights and press freedom violations; promoting constructive U.S. policy initiatives; formulating viable alternatives that seek a diplomatic rather than a military solution to disputes; attending briefings by visiting Latin American dignitaries; and surveying legislation focused on social justice and the expansion of authentic democratic institutions.

Qualifications

Intern candidates should have some knowledge and /or interest in U.S.-Latin American affairs or international relations and should display impressive research and writing skills. Proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese is desired, though experience in journalism, English, or one of the social sciences may be substituted for the normal background requirements. Ideal internship candidates should be highly motivated and will be expected to show initiative and a capacity for innovation.

Environs

COHA’s downtown Washington office is located in the prestigious Dupont Circle area, a fast-paced and highly professional yet congenial area. Former interns have had their by-lined work published in various COHA publications as well as in the Congressional Record and the opinion pages of newspapers across the world including the New York Times, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, Washington Times, and many others (see our online cite page for examples). COHA internships are highly respected by the Washington policy making community for their rigor and valuable learning experience. Former COHA interns have gained prominent positions in journalism, the Foreign Service, and congressional offices as well as admittance to some of the most prestigious professional schools in the country.

Responsibilities

We have several internship positions available:

Research Associate – As a research associate, interns will be writing articles for COHA’s highly regarded publication, the Washington Report on the Hemisphere (WRH); composing Opinion-Editorials and letters to the editor for publication in major national and international news media; performing personal interviews with Washington officials; attending Congressional hearings, legislative seminars, and various events on topics relevant to COHA’s work; and assisting in office administration tasks such as maintaining subscription lists. Applicants with high computer literacy are encouraged to apply.

Public Relations Intern – The Public Relations intern will be working to promote COHA in both regular and new media while gaining hands on experience in public relations and marketing. Interns will be assisting with the growth and maintenance of COHA’s social media presence, writing marketing materials, monitoring news coverage and maintaining news clip files, engaging in strategic communications, and working with external relations writ large. Applicants with high computer literacy are encouraged to apply.

Development Intern – The Development Intern will be assisting with various funding projects while obtaining practical skills and experience first hand on the day-to-day operations of a nonprofit organization. Interns will be writing proposals and letters; tracking fundraising activities and opportunities; conducting research for foundation, corporate, and individual funding sources; and exploring grant opportunities and assisting with the preparation of grant proposals. Applicants with high computer literacy are encouraged to apply.