CBCF State Farm Communications Internship

Spring 2023 CBCF State Farm Communications Congressional Internship Program DEADLINE EXTENDED TO December 2nd.

The semester-long CBCF Communications Internship program, sponsored by State Farm, offers college seniors and recently graduated students the opportunity to learn about press and media relations on Capitol Hill. This program will take place in person from January 23rd, 2023, to May 12th, 2023. Interns will receive housing, a $4000 stipend (paid biweekly in increments of $500), and work with the press secretary or communications director in various congressional offices, committees, subcommittees, or federal agencies. This program is offered during the fall and spring semesters. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a demonstrated interest in public service, governance, and policy-making.

CBCF will offer three information sessions to allow prospective applicants to learn more about our internship program. Should this be of interest, please register for the information session of your choice:

Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 6 pm Registration Link: https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpc-2vqDoiHNP0XU3ZXn2NTgxRLwVGLJRZ

Monday, October 10th, 2022 at 6 pm Registration Link: https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kcOurqjwiGtEPDEpYF-DKxsiTzJI55i8p

Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at 6 pm Registration Link: https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtde6rpzwrEtz-CgztP3kWyLu_gDdzO50h

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 at 6 pm Registration Link:https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc-CoqTkpE9O1GHf8ug6vhWog8TPb0JEW

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 at 6 pm Registration Link: https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIod-CgqzsjHNRzb341244QYp2ZzQ1emNWO

Candidate Requirements

Note: You must use your full first and last name as your display name when creating your application account.

  • Interns must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Interns must have full Covid vaccination, including a COVID booster shot
  • Interns must have U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (January 9th, to April 28th, 2023)
  • Interns must have availability to participate full-time upon acceptance
  • Interns cannot be enrolled in classes for the duration of the program (in some cases, the program can be used for credit with university approval)
  • Interns must be college seniors by the start of the Spring program OR must have not graduated with a bachelor’s degree more than 2 years from the internship program start date
  • Interns cannot yet have obtained a graduate degree
  • Interns cannot be actively enrolled in graduate studies
  • Interns must have a general familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus and its members, and related policy
  • Interns must have superior analytical skills
  • Interns must have outstanding oral and written communication skills

Note: Upon acceptance, interns must stay in provided CBCF housing, with a roommate, for the duration of the program.

Application Materials

The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, November 24rd, 2022. The following items will be requested through the online application:

  • 1 Video Recording in response to a provided prompt (located within the Scholarship Application)
  • 1 Essay Question Response (located within the Scholarship Application)
    *1 Cover Letter expressing your interest in the Congressional Internship with the CBCF
  • 2 letters of recommendation, submitted electronically (hard copy letters will not be accepted)
  • Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and specific skills (2-page limit)
  • Transcript (must be uploaded directly to the application portal)
  • A recent photograph suitable for publication (i.e., a graduation photo or other professional-quality photograph in which the subject is formally dressed)

PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the General Application to gain access to the Conditional Application. If for any reason you are unable to access the conditional application, it may be because you are unqualified for the opportunity. Please reach out to internships@cbcfinc.org for assistance, as necessary. Note that application materials are not accepted via email.

COVID-19 Guidelines

The in-person nature of this program will require both full vaccination and adherence to CDC guidelines, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to applying to this program, please read the following expectations in their entirety:

Vaccination Policy

Congressional Interns must (i) provide proof that they are fully vaccinated (to include a booster) prior to the start date of the program or (ii) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation (the process for seeking an accommodation is explained below). Only vaccines authorized for emergency use and/or full use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are acceptable under this policy.

Until full vaccination is documented or an approved exemption as an accommodation is obtained, Congressional Interns may not be approved to participate in the Congressional Internship.

All Congressional Interns are expected to have completed a full vaccination regime (to include booster shots), or have an approved exemption accommodation, prior to arriving to Congressional Intern housing. Interns who have neither been fully vaccinated nor received an exemption accommodation prior to arrival to housing are not permitted in Intern housing. Congressional Interns who fail to become fully vaccinated or obtain an approved exemption accommodation before the program’s start date will be subject to being rejected from the program.

Requests for Accommodations

Congressional Interns may request an approved exemption from the vaccination requirement as an accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious reasons:

Congressional Interns may request an accommodation for a medical reason such as a disability (as defined by applicable law), pregnancy (or childbirth or a related medical condition), being a nursing mother, having a documented medical condition that contraindicates the vaccination, or any other trait, characteristic, or class for which applicable law requires the CBCF to provide reasonable workplace accommodations.

Congressional Interns may request an accommodation for a non-medical reason, such as an objection to being vaccinated on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

Accommodation requests for the Spring 2023 Congressional Internship should be submitted to Human Resources in writing no later than November 25th, 2022.

Additional Note: Former interns, immediate relatives of a CBCF employee, CBC Member, CBC Spouse, a staff person of a CBC Member or Spouse, a member of the CBCF Board of Directors, Corporate Advisory Council Member of CBCF, or any CBCF-sponsoring entity are not eligible for CBCF internship programs.

Award
$4000
Scopes
Internships
Deadline
12/02/2022
Supplemental Questions
  1. Video Response: Discuss two important reasons that inspired you to apply for this internship. (3min Max)
  2. Upload a recent professional headshot suitable for publication. This photograph will be used in reports and biographies both internally and externally. Photographs should be high resolution, (5000x4000 pixels) and no less than 72 dpi.
  3. Upload a legible copy of your current transcript in a PDF file. We must be able to read clearly the name of academic institution, student name and information, courses, grades and other information detailed on the transcript (unofficial accepted).
  4. Upload resume in a PDF file listing your employment, community service, academic information, extracurricular activities, honors and special skills.
  5. Please upload a cover letter expressing your interest in the Congressional Internship with the CBCF. Ensure that your letter is 12 pt. font Times New Roman and uploaded as a pdf.
  6. Essay: Choose a social justice policy issue (i.e., criminal justice reform, Black maternal health, school-to prison pipeline, public education, or racial discrimination in the workplace) you find most relevant to the Black community in the last three congressional sessions. Discuss the status of the legislation, the key members involved with the issue, and the potential or current effects of the legislation on the Black community. Be sure to cite your sources. [1,000 word maximum]
  7. Show 1 more