08/02/2012
INTERNSHIP:
INTERNSHIP:
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Internship
Location: Vienna (Tyson’s Corners), Vir.
Status: Currently accepting applications
Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots®, the global environmental and humanitarian youth program of
the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is currently seeking applications for internships. Founded by Dr.
Jane Goodall, DBE and a group of Tanzanian students, the Roots & Shoots program provides
young people with the knowledge, tools and hopeful inspiration to improve the environment and
the quality of life for people and animals. Connected through a dynamic online network, Roots
& Shoots members have come from more than 120 countries and through their projects have
completed more than 3,500 projects to improve their communities.
JGI staff strive to make internship experiences valuable and meaningful for both the student and
the organization. Over the course of a semester-long experience, interns work independently
and collaboratively on an array of projects that are set up to meet their personal goals, interests
and strengths. At the conclusion of internship experiences, the hope is for students to leave with
experience and knowledge that can help them advance both their academic and professional
careers.
With Roots & Shoots, here are some possible areas of work for interns:
Writing and Online Journalism
The basis of communication with the Roots & Shoots network is through our vibrant and
dynamic website www.rootsandshoots.org. Creating content that’s meaningful for our
membership, and reporting on the impacts of their projects is very important for attracting new
members, and maintaining engagement with current members. Interns who choose projects in
this area can expect to write two to three articles per week, regularly write copy for enewsletter
and eblast communications with the Roots & Shoots network and work collaboratively to edit
and polish writing style and form.
Graphic Design and New Media
In today’s world, visuals are key to catching and maintaining people’s attention. For nonprofit
organizations visuals are even more important as we’re competing for people’s attention with
a vast diversity of causes and charities people could support. Interns who work in this area will
help create logos/graphic identity for Institute initiatives such as the upcoming Roots & Shoots
Help A Habitat campaign, graphics for web pages, enewsletters, eblasts and print materials for
events such as Dr. Goodall’s upcoming Fall North America Tour.
Social Media
The social media landscape is constantly changing, and today, engagement is key. Interns who
work in this area will help support the Institute’s efforts to distribute content and engage users
on social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and new platforms such as Pinterest. In
addition, interns will also help gather analytics on efficiency and engagement in the Institute’s
social media efforts, as well as growth and reach in subscribership.
Ideal Candidates for an Internship at JGI will:
Be enrolled or have graduated from an accredited University;
Have an interest in engaging youth to improve their local environment and raise quality
of life for people and animals;
● Have excellent writing and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to handle multiple
projects simultaneously with a high level of attention to detail;
● Enjoy meeting and talking with members/colleagues and responding to inquiries in a
positive manner through email messages and phone calls; and
● Be able to work independently and as a part of a team, including with other team
members who work remotely.
Hours and Schedule
Internships with the Roots & Shoots program vary depending on scheduling and scope of
involvement. Full time internships, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday are encouraged, but
flexibility is available for exact times of day, and amount of hours per week. A minimum of 10
hours per week for three months is required.
Compensation
The position is unpaid, but academic credit can be arranged. With an internship program
focused on independent study and work, intern experiences with Roots & Shoots generally
serve well in university course systems, and many schools welcome students to use their
experience as an opportunity to earn credit toward their undergraduate or graduate degrees.
Location
Work will be based out of the JGI-USA headquarters in Vienna, Va. though telecommuting is
an option for some work areas, especially for interns who may be located outside of the metro
Washington, D.C. area.
Other Notes/Application Details
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
JGI staff empower interns to participate on many levels in a friendly, productive, team-based
work environment.
Please send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample (3-5 pages) to Shawn Sweeney at
[email protected].
Roots & Shoots engages and inspires youth through community service and service learning. Founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, this global program emphasizes the principle that knowledge leads to compassion, which inspires action.
