Internships at Maine Policy
The Susan K. Hamill Summer Internship Program is an opportunity for high school, undergraduate and graduate-level students who seek to supplement their education by gaining real-world experience at a public policy think tank. The program honors the memory of Susan K. Hamill, a long-time supporter of Maine Policy who was fiercely patriotic, an active member of her community, and someone who constantly worked to empower the next generation of Maine citizens.
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 summer internship program.
Through the program, our team will equip Maine’s future free-market leaders 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 2, 2025 and ends on August 1, 2025. Interns are expected to spend three full-time days per week in the Maine Policy office in Yarmouth, ME. Virtual internship opportunities are possible.
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 legislative affairs, 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, February 28, 2025. For questions or additional information about the Maine Policy Internship Program, please contact Jacob Posik at jposik@mainepolicy.org.
More information about each internship discipline is available below.
Internship Opportunities
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