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Maine Policy Summer
Internship Program
June 3, 2024 – August 2, 2024

Maine Policy Internship Program

The Maine Policy Internship Program is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate-level students who seek to supplement their education by gaining real-world experience at a public policy think tank. Interns with Maine Policy will receive training in one of three disciplines and work alongside our staff to develop professional skills in a creative nonprofit environment.

Interns will be selected to assist Maine Policy in one of the three areas of our core operations: public policy, development, or communications. Up to four students will be selected to work with Maine Policy for the duration of the nine-week internship program.

Through the program, our team aims to arm Maine’s next generation of free-market thinkers with skills in policy research, nonprofit fundraising, and communications to advance the ideas of individual liberty and economic freedom. Interns are required to work three eight-hour days per week for nine weeks, or 27 days over the course of the summer program.

Length of Internship

The Maine Policy Internship Program is a nine-week program that starts on June 3, 2024 and ends on August 2, 2024. Interns are expected to spend three full-time days per week in the Maine Policy office in Yarmouth, ME. Virtual internship opportunities are possible.

Public Policy Internship

Public policy interns will work under our policy analysts to gain knowledge in research methods, data analysis, and writing. They will learn how to obtain and analyze data from official government sources, write policy reports and op-eds, and conduct public policy research by examining existing statutes and regulations, their changes over time, and the relationship between policy and productivity. Policy interns will assist our policy team in activities including, but not limited to:

  • Conducting public policy research to write white papers and develop content for issue advocacy campaigns
  • Monitoring and tracking state laws and rules related to education, health care, labor, regulatory, and tax and fiscal policy
  • Writing articles, op-eds, and testimony, and creating one-pagers and fact sheets

The ideal candidate for a public policy internship is an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in business, economics, law, political science or a related field, though applicants from all majors will be considered. Applicants with the following skills and characteristics will be prioritized for public policy internships:

  • Ability to identify patterns, trends, and discrepancies in data
  • Independent, analytical thinking
  • Intellectual curiosity in policymaking and the process and functions of government
  • Basic understanding of Microsoft Word and Excel applications

Development Internship

The development internship is meant for students interested in the internal functions and day-to-day operations of a nonprofit organization. Interns will learn how to fundraise, identify prospective supporters, build and maintain donor relations, and plan and organize events. Development interns will assist our director of development and development assistant in activities including, but not limited to:

  • Creating and maintaining informational databases
  • Writing requests for proposals and fundraising asks
  • Communicating with supporters by phone, direct mail, and email platforms
  • Planning policy luncheons, creating line-by-lines, registering attendees, and hosting events

The ideal candidate for a development internship is an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in accounting, business administration, management and operations, political science or a related field, though applicants from all majors will be considered. Applicants with the following skills and characteristics will be prioritized for development internships:

  • Attention to detail
  • Uses appropriate discretion with private information
  • Maintains a positive attitude and exceptional interpersonal communication skills
  • Basic understanding of database management

Communications Internship

Communications interns will work under our director of communications to gain knowledge in professional writing, design, and social media and email marketing. They will learn how to draft articles and op-eds in AP style, craft effective e-solicits and social media posts, and build and maintain relationships with members of the media. Communications interns will assist our director of communications in activities including, but not limited to:

  • Writing articles for TheMaineWire.com and submitting op-eds to local newspapers
  • Developing daily content for Maine Policy’s social media channels
  • Maintaining Maine Policy’s digital properties
  • Organizing and implementing issue advocacy campaigns

The ideal candidate for a communications internship is an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in communications, journalism, marketing, political science or a related field, though applicants from all majors will be considered. Applicants with the following skills and characteristics will be prioritized for communications internships:

  • Ability to write and copy edit physical and digital content
  • Experience with digital platforms, including WordPress, Google and Adobe applications
  • Creative thinker who can distill complex information into important soundbites
  • Basic understanding of AP style

Compensation

Maine Policy will provide a stipend to each intern upon completion of the internship program.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter to Mr. Jacob Posik, director of communications, via email at jposik@mainepolicy.org. Cover letters should specify the discipline(s) for which you seek consideration, describe your interest in the position and what you wish to gain from your experience interning at a free-market public policy think tank.

The deadline for submission is close of business on Friday, March 1, 2024. For questions or additional information about the Maine Policy Internship Program, please contact Jacob Posik at jposik@mainepolicy.org.

About Maine Policy Institute

Maine Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to expand individual liberty and economic freedom in Maine. Maine Policy is the strongest voice in Augusta for taxpayers and believes in an open, transparent, and accountable state government. We work to ensure hardworking Mainers keep the fruits of their labor and defend their rights and liberties from government overreach.

Governed by an independent Board of Directors, Maine Policy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax exempt organization that relies on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations, and does not accept government funds or perform contract work. With six full-time staff members and hundreds of individual supporters, we conduct detailed and timely research and develop public policy solutions that improve the lives of Maine citizens. We educate the public, engage legislators, and employ the media to shift public opinion and establish enduring change in our state.

Over the past 20 years, Maine Policy has testified hundreds of times before the Maine Legislature. Some of our most notable victories include the largest tax cut in Maine history, historic welfare reforms that led to higher rates of employment, public-sector pension reform that saved taxpayers more than $1 billion, financial transparency, including “sunshine” on the pay and perks of government employees, and pro-market healthcare reforms that drove down premiums and increased competition. These positive changes are the direct result of Maine Policy’s work and the generosity of our supporters.