Summer Internship

We’ve got big challenges to face. In California, less than 15 percent of single-use plastic is recycled, meaning that most ends up in the landfill, littering our streets, or polluting our waterways and oceans. Our drinking water and consumer products are too often contaminated with toxic chemicals. And on top of that, our planet is warming, meaning that it’s more important than ever to move away from dirty fossil fuels. We need trained organizers ready to advocate for solutions. That’s what CALPIRG’s internship program is all about. 

Throughout the program, our interns learn the ins and outs of advocacy and organizing. We train interns on skills like working with the media, building coalitions, public speaking, and grassroots outreach. Additionally, interns have the opportunity to attend events with decision makers, help organize press conferences, and make a real impact over the course of the program. 

Priority Campaigns

The CALPIRG intern will be responsible for assisting the team with the following campaigns:

• Right to Repair – Fighting our throw-away culture by advocating for policies that make electronics and appliances easier to fix. This reduces waste and can save consumers billions of dollars.
• Beyond Plastic – Nothing that we use for 5 minutes (think plastic utensils, grocery bags or your Amazon packaging) should be allowed to pollute our oceans for 100s of years. That’s why CALPIRG is working to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics.
• Consumer Protection – Standing up for the rights of consumers in the face of unfair practices. Examples include fighting for price transparency in ticket sales and educating the public about harmful recalls.

Training

We run both formal training sessions and typical on the job training. The biggest goal of the internship is to learn the skills of a public interest advocate. Most training will come through actually doing the tactics that help win our campaigns. 

Over the course of the internship, you will receive training on:

• Grassroots outreach: petitioning, phone banking, photo-petitioning
• Working with the media: generating opinion media and garnering earned media
• Building coalitions of important constituents
• Advocating on behalf of environmental and public health policies to decision makers
• Organizing and mobilizing the public around events or important decisions

In addition to these skills, you will be a critical part of the CALPIRG campaign team to hit our goals that will help win on issues like reducing unnecessary plastic pollution and transitioning to 100% electric vehicles in the state.

Expectations

Our internship is unlike many others. Interns work alongside our advocates, and are a key part in helping us win our campaigns. This isn’t getting coffee or making copies, it’s learning exactly what it takes to ensure that our environment and public health is protected. Our interns receive excellent training throughout the program, and also have a lot of responsibility. This internship requires approximately 10 hours per week. 

Over the course of the internship, interns are expected to aid in research, advocacy, and community outreach for our public health and consumer-focused campaigns. Responsibilities include:

• You’ll work side-by-side with one of our organizers, learning the ropes.
• You’ll attend briefings and trainings to learn even more about our issues and gain organizing skills.
• You’ll participate in campaign tactics, including writing letters-to-the-editor, building coalitions, building grassroots support. 

A note on virtual work:

This internship opportunity is primarily virtual. However, there may be opportunities to participate in in-person trainings and events near the LA and Sacramento areas. Contact Jenn Engstrom with questions regarding our COVID-19/remote work policy.

Contact [email protected] for more information.

CALPIRG is an equal opportunity employer.