Mansfield Foundation interns meet Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki at a reception for Mansfield Fellows

The Mansfield Foundation offers full- and part-time unpaid internships in the spring, summer and fall for undergraduate students, recent graduates and graduate students interested in gaining first-hand experience working in an Asia-related public policy organization in Washington, D.C.  Candidates should be available at least 3 days a week.

Our interns have hailed from Japan, Korea, China, India, and France, as well as from across the United States. They have represented schools including: American University; Brigham Young University; Brown University; Connecticut College; Colby College; Delhi University, India; Ewha Women’s University, Korea; Georgetown University; George Washington University; Kyongii University, Korea; New College of Florida; Northwestern University; Oberlin College; State University of New York at Brockport; State University of New York at Buffalo; University of California at Irvine; University of California at Los Angeles; University of California at Santa Barbara; University of Hawaii; University of Iowa; University of Texas at Austin; University of Virginia; and Vassar College.

Internship Duties:

Interns may participate in a variety of activities, including research, writing, translation, and organizing meetings and events. Specific internship duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting background research for Mansfield Foundation programs
• Proofreading and editing Mansfield Foundation publications and documents
• Taking notes at internal meetings
• Attending public meetings in the Washington, D.C., area and writing event summaries
• Drafting correspondence
• Assisting with program planning and logistics
• Assisting in developing funding proposals
• Updating the Mansfield Foundation’s database
• Performing general administrative tasks (answering phones, photocopying, faxing etc.)

Qualifications:

• Highly motivated undergraduate, recent graduate or  graduate student in good standing and with a strong interest or background in Asia-related issues or studies
• Strong written and oral communications skills and attention to detail
• Professional demeanor, excellent problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and inter-personal skills
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people, both independently and as part of a team.
• Prior office experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of Japanese, Chinese or Korean is desirable, but not mandatory.

Internship Benefits:

• Metrocheks to offset the cost of your commute to and from the Mansfield Foundation offices
• College credit if your university allows
• Invitations to Asia-related programming and Foundation activities
• Exposure to senior government, business and NGO leaders from the United States and various Asian countries
• Professional development in a challenging environment that prepares interns for full-time employment in a professional setting.
• Opportunity to gain experience in areas of office management, event planning, data collection, analysis, and professional writing development.

We are pleased that Mansfield Internship Program alumni continue to make a contribution to U.S.-Asia relations. Former interns have current titles that include: Program Associate, Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership; Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI); International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce; Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State; Paralegal, U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Language Teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET); Assistant Project Director for Northeast Asia, National Committee on American Foreign Policy, Inc.; Professional Staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan; Professional Staff, Air Force, Singapore; Assistant Director, The Atlantic Council of the United States; Associate, Civic Service, Inc.; and Business Development Manager, Erowa, China.

Application:

• Cover Letter: Please detail why you want to intern at the Mansfield Foundation, your internship objectives and your career goals.
• Résumé: Please list your complete educational and professional data and information about extracurricular activities.
• Writing Sample: Please enclose a 3-5 page writing sample.
• Two letters of reference: Each letter should address your interest and experience in Asia and public policy; ability to communicate both orally and in writing; and ability to work effectively as part of a team. At least one letter should be from a faculty member.

Application Deadlines:

Applications are accepted and processed throughout the year depending on recruitment needs. Positions are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Deadlines may be extended until all positions are filled.

Summer Term (early June through late August): April 30

UPDATE 4/17/2012: Summer internship positions have been filled.

Fall Term (early September through early December): July 31

Spring Term (early January through early May): November 30.

Send complete applications indicating which term you are applying for via e-mail, fax or regular mail to:

Ms. Erika Scott
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation
1401 New York Ave. NW, Suite 740
Washington, DC 20005
Fax:(202) 347-3941
http://www.mansfieldfdn.org
escott -at- mansfieldfdn dot org

No phone calls please.