Internships
10/30/2024: Apply by 11/1 for Winter/Spring Media and Policy Internships, we will close applications at the end of the day on 11/1. Winter/Spring Legal Internships are still available!
Application Instructions
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and list of 3 references (name, relationship, email address, and phone number) to Katie at kwalker@cair.com.
Applicants to the Legal Administrative Internship must also include a writing sample, which will preferably focus on issues within CAIR-WA’s scope, civil rights, and/or human rights issues.
The subject line of your email should be: “[Full Name] Internship Application”.
Please include the following in your cover letter:
- Specify which internship you are applying for. If you are interested in more than one internship, please let us know your top choice.
- Specify which season(s) you are applying for: summer, fall, or winter/spring
- Let us know how you learned about the internship!
- Explanation as to why you are interested in our work and what experience(s) makes you a strong candidate for this internship.
Interning at CAIR-WA
All internships are 15-20 hours a week for approximately 12 weeks, with the exception of summer legal internships for law students which may have a full-time option. Most CAIR-WA internships are paid opportunities via stipends. Schedules as well as start and end dates are negotiable.
CAIR-WA is a hybrid workplace. Interns may work remotely or in our office in downtown Seattle. Interns may be asked to work out in the community as well. Any required in-person work hours, meetings, or events will be communicated to interns in advance.
Summer Internship
Priority Application Deadline: April 1
Start Date: June 15
End Date: September 15
Available Internship Opportunities:
- Media
- Policy
- Legal Intern (must be law student)
Autumn/Fall Internship
Priority Application Deadline: July 1
Start Date: September 15
End Date: December 15
Available Internship Opportunities:
- Media
- Policy – not available in Fall 2024
- Legal Intern (must be law student)
Winter/Spring Internship
Priority Application Deadline: November 1
Start Date: January 15
End Date: April 15
Available Internship Opportunities:
- Media
- Policy
- Legal Intern (must be law student)
Policy Internship
CAIR-Washington’s Policy and Advocacy Department promotes civic engagement within Washington’s Muslim community and advocates for responsible policies in schools, companies, and government agencies. Our team leads campaigns that seek to empower community members to exercise their civic duties and assert their rights when necessary.
Policy Interns will work closely with the Policy Associate to organize and plan our current programs.
Qualifications:
- Good academic standing in an undergraduate or graduate program
- Good communication skills, research and analytical skills
- Interest in public policy and civic engagement
Responsibilities:
- *During the Washington state legislative session, Policy Interns will focus tasks related to CAIR-WA’s legislative agenda*
- Assisting with civil engagement events, such as Muslim Day at the Capitol (MDAC) which may be held in the fall or spring depending
- Conducting legislative and policy research at the local, state, and federal levels
- Researching civic engagement education tools
- Developing outreach materials for the Muslim community
- Coordinating community education and training sessions
- Assisting with issue-specific research and material development
This is a hybrid position, with the opportunity for remote and in-person work.
Media Internship
Develop your media skills while helping combat Islamophobia and promoting Muslim representation in Washington state. Media interns may get hands-on experience with social media, press work, community outreach, event planning, media strategy and media production.
Qualifications:
- Interest in design, media, and marketing
- Commitment to furthering the mission and values of CAIR-WA
- Takes initiative, works well individually and collaboratively
Responsibilities:
- Participate in designing a media or marketing project which will further the mission and strategic priorities of CAIR-WA, take ownership of this project for the duration of the internship.
- Complete data entry, reporting, and tracking tasks as assigned.
- Collaborate with the Communications Director and Media Team on projects, social media, and community outreach.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
This position is open to students or those early in their careers. It is designed as a fully remote position with the option for occasional in-person work.
Legal Internship
CAIR-WA’s Legal Department specializes in using creative legal and grassroots advocacy solutions to represent discriminated individuals and address systematic issues facing our Muslim community. Our Civil Rights Department handles cases that range from prejudiced gestures to full-blown discrimination, while our Immigrant Justice Project assists community members with affirmative immigration applications and issues on behalf of themselves or their family members. Our clients are Muslims, as well as members from other faith communities who have been perceived as Muslim.
Legal Interns will most likely work with the Immigrant Justice Project assisting with USCIS applications for newly arrived Afghans as well as other legal work within CAIR-WA’s Legal Department. Please include any specific interests in cover letter.
Legal Internship is only open to 1L, 2L, or 3L law students.
Qualifications:
- Academic standing in a law program during the time period of the internship
- A strong interest in civil liberties and civil rights and/or immigration work
- Proven commitment to serving the community
- Experience with legal research and writing
- Preferably experience working with legal clients either in a clinic setting, pro bono, or a legal internship setting
- Detail oriented and reliable
- Works well independently and in a team setting
- Good interpersonal and analytical skills
- The ability to write in a clear and concise manner
- Great time management skills, organized, and self-motivated to do the work
- Experience meeting deadlines
Responsibilities:
- Legal research for both civil rights and immigration issues
- Interviewing community members and client
- Compile and assist with filing USCIS immigration applications
- Legal writing and case management
- Update legal databases containing information reported to CAIR-WA
- Develop and create Know Your Rights material
- Non-legal research on issues impacting our legal work
- Follow up on requests for help from community members
- Attend Know Your Rights presentations or tabling events in the community
- Draft memos and briefs
- For those proficient in foreign languages primarily spoken by Muslim individuals (Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Somali, Urdu, Farsi, Spanish), participate in translation and language justice work