Internships with the Human Impacts Institute- NYC or a Leiden/NYC
Organization: Human Impacts Institute
Position Title: Summer 2014 Internships with the Human Impacts Institute
Location: NYC or a Leiden/NYC
Hours and Compensation: Not listed
Application Deadline: Monday, April 28th, 2014
Internship Description:
The Human Impacts Institute is currently accepting applications for our highly competitive Summer 2014
internship program. Past interns have included international lawyers, media professionals, certified teachers, as well
as graduate and undergrad students from Columbia University, Bard, McGill University (Canada), University of
Kwazulu-Natal (South Africa), New York University, Webster University (Netherlands), UPenn, University of Paris
(France), National University of Ireland (Ireland), Beijing University (China) and many more. Additionally, former
HII interns have gone on to work in such diverse places as Bloomberg, United Nations Environment Program, the
Climate Group, International Institute for Sustainable Development, White House Council on the Environment,
and in numerous private consulting firms. All interns will be given significant programmatic and organizational
responsibilities based upon their internship descriptions, qualifications, and interests. !
Internships will last for 12 weeks. There are two options for internships: 12 weeks in NYC or a Leiden/NYC
combination. For the Leiden/NYC option, Phase 1 of the internship will take place in Leiden, the Netherlands, for
6 weeks (mid-May to end-of-June) under the supervision of Human Impacts Institute Executive Director and
Founder, Tara DePorte. Phase 2, the second 6 weeks (July to mid-August), will be held in New York City. Only
applicants available for the full term (Middle of May to Middle of August 2014–with some flexibility for
start and end dates) and who can commit a minimum of 20 hours per week will be considered. Preference
will be given to those to can commit 30-40 hours per week. All internships are unpaid.
Applications for internships are due Monday, April 28th, 2014, by midnight EST
About the Human Impacts Institute: As an international non-governmental organization based in NYC, the
mission of the Human Impacts Institute is to inspire action for strong communities and a healthy environment
through hands-on education, coalition building, and using arts and culture for social good. Our partners range
from the United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and Federal Republic of Germany to major universities and
research institutes to community-based, grassroots groups. Learn more:
HumanImpactsInstitute.org
What We Offer
• Working with a team of environmentalists and artists who are passionate about inspiring social change and
have backgrounds in climate science, public engagement, education, policy development, international
consulting, private sector advising, and more;
• An open and creative learning environment where interns and staff collaborate and co-learn;
• High level of responsibility and a key role in program development and leadership;
• Inclusion a diverse, international network of environmental, sustainable development, and social change
professionals;
• Diverse experiences in education, coalition-building, creative messaging, reporting and research; and
• A commitment to supporting your personal goals while pushing your leadership skills !
What We Want: Strong preference will be given to applicants who can receive college credit (undergraduate or
graduate) or occupational training credits. There is no stipend or lodging assistance available at this time. Interns are
encouraged to apply for outside funding assistance. All available internships will have flexibility in scheduling,
however, interns will be expected to work on-site at least 20 hours per week, with a preference for those who can
commit 30-40 hours per week. !
Applicants must have an expressed interest in environmental issues, education, policy development, international
relations, research, coalition building, and/or not-for-profit organizational work. In addition to this, interns are
expected to be: self-motivated, extremely organized, independent, open communicators, creative, highly adaptable
to different types of projects, atmospheres, interactions, and to have excellent research skills. !
Summer Internship Application Information
•Current resume;
•Introductory letter, including:
oWhy you want to work with HII;
oThe specific internship(s) to which you are applying;
oYour specific expertise/interests
•Two reference contacts;
•A one-paragraph, original idea for a creative project at HII
!!
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and applicants will
be notified of interviews shortly after their application. Spring applications are due Monday, April
28th by midnight EST.
All applications and inquiries should be directed to:
Tara DePorte, Executive Director and Founder, Human Impacts Institute
Summer 2014 (mid-May until mid-August) Internships with the Human Impacts Institute
All Human Impacts Institute Interns will attend free classes at the Foundation Center on grant writing, develop and research
at least one grant proposal for their internship focus, assist with organizational development and program support, write blogs
and develop community outreach materials, attend relevant meetings and events to “report back on” to the HII team, and
assist with partnership development. Below, are brief descriptions of specific Human Impacts Institute internships: !
Environmental Leadership
Our Environmental Leadership Intern will work to further develop our programs in coalition building (local, national and
international). Environmental Leadership interns will also have the opportunity to work on Human Impacts Institute’s
2013-2014 National Salon Tour: Transatlantic Climate Bridge. Environmental Leadership interns will be instrumental in
helping to develop and execute our local, national, and international coalitions and partnerships. Responsibilities will include:
developing outreach materials, sponsorship packages for corporate partners, research and reporting, and strategic partnership
development. Interns should have a good working knowledge of environmental issues (including climate change), sustainable
development, and international relations. Policy and/or science experience is a plus. !
Environmental Services
Our Environmental Services Intern will provide businesses, organizations, schools and other Human Impacts Institute
partners with resources on how to reduce their overall emissions, negative impacts on community health, and to increase their
community support, while saving money and increasing their community involvement. Specifically, these interns will be
involved with Human Impacts Institute’s Ecopreneurs (eco + entrepreneurs) program and looking at ways to scale-up this
initiative. Interns will be trained as environmental consultants and will mentor other students and stakeholders in sustainability
options in their community, with a particular focus on small businesses. Interns will also analyze the economic and social
impacts of sustainability measures being implemented by program participants. Experience in business and CSR is a plus. !
Experiential Education
Our Experiential Education Intern will help in all aspects of hands-on, environmental education programs at the Human
Impacts Institute. Interns will focus on curriculum development, teaching classes for all ages, researching educational content,
partnership outreach, and developing creative, educational content for blogs, social media, newsletters, and for our
international partners. Intern applicants should be interested in hands-on education and in the many components of program
development and facilitation. Experience in environmental issues and/or teaching is a plus. !
NGO Management, PR and Marketing
Our NGO Management/PR and Marketing Intern will be predominantly responsible for further development of Human
Impacts Institute’s social media platforms (Twitter, blog, Facebook, etc.), website content, organization communications, press
packages and brochures, outreach to press and funders, as well as other issues relating to marketing our organization and our
programs. Interns will also help with the overall organizational management including responsibilities such as data input,
contacts management, newsletter development, as well as events planning, partnership development, and fundraising. All
applicants should be skilled in writing and marketing. Experience in fundraising is a plus. Experience with environmental
issues is not necessary, but favorable.
Design and Interactive Web Development
The Design and Interactive Web Development Intern will be responsible for further developing the online and interactive
presence of the Human Impacts Institute and our programs. Interns will particularly focus on creating and implementing
online tools for increased collaboration, outreach and open-source engagement of the public and partner groups in Human
Impacts Institute’s programs. Ideal candidates will have proficiency in website development/maintenance, Photoshop and/or
InDesign, and ability to learn other online and design tools. Ideal candidates will also have experience or training in graphic
design, illustration, and/or branding. Knowledge or interest in environmental issues or community development is a plus. All
applicants for the Design and Interactive Web Development Internship should send three work samples in addition to the
overall internship application package.
