Internships
Through Ayuda’s robust internship program, we have welcomed nearly 1,000 individuals through our doors to support the work of our organization while receiving substantial professional development training.
Individuals participating in our program will receive exposure to the fields of immigration policy, domestic violence/family law proceedings, social service case management, grant research/writing, communications drafting, donor relationship management, and nonprofit operations support depending on their internship completing. Ayuda interns have gone on to at various governmental agencies, NGO’s, public and private law firms, including our own organization!
Ayuda welcomes interns at all three of our offices, Washington, DC; Silver Spring, MD; and Fairfax, VA; with most of our offerings being based out of our administrative office in DC. Applicants will be asked to note the specific internship listings and capacity within our cohorts as well as the internship location on our website and recruitment platforms.
If you have any questions about our internship program or current cohort internship listings/capacities, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Due to the heavy volume of applications received, we ask applicants to refrain from contacting us about applications status as all applicants will either be contacted for an interview request or upon the completion of our recruitment.
About Ayuda’s Internship Program
Internship Benefits
Individuals participating in our program will experience a variety of awesome benefits afforded to our interns. Some of these perks include, but are not limited to:
- Personal internship laptop
- Utilization of our fully supplied office spaces
- Ability to travel to/work from any of our office locations
- Comprehensive project and technical support
- Regular supervisor check ins
- Ability to network and connect with other Ayuda staff, work directly with clients (legal and social service), and attend hearings (legal)
- Participate in intern-wide luncheons and professional development opportunities
- Ayuda swag/merchandise
All our Ayuda staff love connecting with our seasonal interns as we foster a warm and welcoming environment for all!
Internship Cohorts - Summer, Fall, & Spring
At Ayuda, we offer three internship cohorts over the course of the year to align with the academic calendar: fall cohort, spring cohort, and summer cohort. Interns joining during the academic school year (fall and spring cohort) are generally required to assist at least 16 hours per week for 12 – 14 weeks. Interns joining during the summer cohort are generally required to work at least 32 hours per week for 10 – 12 weeks. Ayuda publishes specific internship listings for each cohort roughly one month in advance of its start with applications reviewed/offers extended on a rolling basis as follows:
- Summer Cohort: Listings published in March, Cohort begins late May
- Fall Cohort: Listings published July, Cohort begins early September
- Spring Cohort: Listings published October, Cohort begins mid-January
Who Can Apply?
Ayuda encourages undergraduates, graduate students (especially law and social work students), and recent graduates to apply.
Certain language proficiencies, (especially for our legal and social services internships) are required and will be noted in those specific listings.
While we are unfortunately unable to provide financial compensation at this time, we hope to do so in the future and are more than happy to assist our interns in applying for academic/field placement credit or external funding support.
Ayuda values an inclusive, diverse workplace and does not unlawfully discriminate on any basis prohibited by law. Ayuda is also committed to equal employment opportunity. Internship decisions are made consistent with both Ayuda’s organizational values and the law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
We also strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities we serve.
COVID-19 Protocol
At this time, all Ayuda interns need to submit proof of COVID vaccination (full dosage and booster) on or before their first day with us. Our organization is currently operating on the hybrid working model with at least one in person day per week requested.
We will also be incorporating an office hoteling system at all three of our locations, which will be reviewed during orientation.
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