Each year, we transform outstanding students into frontline advocates for democracy.

Democracy Summer is an innovative internship program that exposes young leaders to new ideas and political movements. We teach our interns how to organize people around a shared vision for a better democracy in our state, address structural barriers to civic engagement, and build power alongside historically marginalized groups. This program equips young people with lifelong skills that they can use to work for positive social change in their communities.

2022 is a critical year to prepare folks for the Midterm Elections after a drawn-out redistricting process in 2021. We will also work to win positive policy changes toward a truly representative government.

Apply Now — Deadline: Monday, March 21st, 2022.

1. Complete the online application for Organizing here.
2. AND, send your cover letter and resume to the correct email address noted in the application form.

Program Overview

Every summer, Democracy NC hires a cohort of undergraduate students from NC community colleges, colleges, and universities to work as paid student interns for ten weeks under the guidance of experienced Democracy NC staff. With the pandemic still going on, this internship may be partially in-person and partially remote. Students work in one of our three departments –  Organizing, Communications, or Research – to gain valuable skills and experience while fighting for a democracy that works for all.

Organizing

• 10 Interns will work in teams of two in concurrence with our five organizing regions for the state (West, Western Piedmont, Central Piedmont, Southeast, East).
• Interns will learn how to recruit and train new advocates on local advocacy, educate community members on how our elections work, start preparing folks for voting in the fall, and much more.

Student interns work up to 40 hours per week (including some evenings and weekends) from late May to late July and earn a stipend of $5,000 (taxable) for the summer.

This is a full-time job, so students taking summer classes or have other, part-time work cannot realistically participate in the program.

Democracy Summer starts with a mandatory training retreat, then interns work in their respective departments fighting for social change. They interact with civic leaders, veteran activists, elected officials, the news media, and of course each other and Democracy NC staff. Interns gain an insider’s view of the political climate, legislative process, and power structure in North Carolina.

RELATED

• WATCH: Democracy Summer: A Documentary of the 20th Anniversary Class

Who Can Apply

Students must be able to participate in the entire summer program to be eligible.

Democracy Summer is ideal for students interested in a career in public service, politics, a non-profit field, or community-based work. All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in NC community colleges, colleges, and universities are eligible to apply. Because student interns are responsible for covering their own housing, most participants apply to work in cities where they have family or other living arrangements available. The ideal applicant will have:

• A passion for racial, social, and economic justice
• An ability to communicate with diverse groups of people
• An interest in and a general understanding of local and/or state level politics
• An ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong public speaking skills

How To Apply

1. Complete the online application for Organizing here.

2. AND, send your cover letter and resume to the email noted in the application.