Public Relations & Strategic Communications Intern

Internship Summary

M.I.8 is seeking a Public Relations & Strategic Communications Intern to support executive messaging, media outreach, partner engagement, and narrative positioning. The intern will assist in drafting outreach to stakeholders in government, industry, philanthropy, and academia; preparing briefing material; and supporting high-visibility external engagements. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer who can translate complex missions into concise, credible language for senior audiences. Because of the fast-paced work environment, interns should be motivated self-starters who are comfortable handling both high-level communications tasks and day-to-day logistics. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Draft talking points, bios, one-pagers, and outreach emails for senior leadership, partners, and press.
• Support preparation and execution of stakeholder meetings, briefings, and public events, including assembling background packets and drafting post-event summaries. 
• Monitor press, policy, and philanthropic landscapes relevant to M.I.8 focus areas (AI in security, maritime security, U.S.–Africa, and U.S.–Latin America engagement) and flag strategic opportunities. 
• Assist with media list development.
• Help coordinate cross-platform messaging to ensure consistent tone across social media, website, and external correspondence.
• Perform other similar duties as needed, including general administrative support to Communications & External Affairs.

This position requires the following skills and experience:

• Current undergraduate senior, graduate student, or recent graduate in public relations, strategic communications, political communication, public policy, international relations, or related fields.
• If applicants do not have a college degree, we encourage them to have 1-3 years of relevant work experience. We also welcome U.S. military veterans to apply.
• Excellent writing skills and demonstrated ability to draft professional communications for external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex issues (security, economic development, workforce access, global partnerships) into clear, persuasive language.
• Strong organizational skills, professionalism, and ability to work under tight deadlines while balancing multiple projects.
• Experience supporting events, briefings, panels, or executive scheduling is preferred.

Social Media & Digital Communications Intern

Internship Summary

M.I.8 is seeking a highly motivated Social Media & Digital Communications Intern to support strategic communications, digital storytelling, and brand visibility across web and social platforms. The intern will help translate complex topics — national security, workforce development, maritime security, AI, and global affairs — into clear, compelling content for public audiences and stakeholder communities. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, and enjoys a mix of creative production, analytics, and light administrative support. Interns will gain firsthand experience in strategic messaging for a mission-driven organization working at the intersection of security, economic development, and workforce readiness.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Draft, edit, and schedule social media posts, newsletters, website updates, and digital collateral that highlight M.I.8 programs, partnerships, and impact.
• Monitor relevant news, policy developments, and workforce/economic trends to identify timely content opportunities and elevate M.I.8’s voice in the conversation.
• Assist in copyediting, fact-checking, and formatting public-facing communications, including executive announcements, campaign messaging, and event promotion.
• Track engagement metrics and help build dashboards that inform outreach strategy and brand growth.
• Provide logistical and promotional support for public events, panels, and workforce development activations (live coverage, quotes, post-event summaries).
• Perform a variety of other duties as assigned, including light administrative support to the Communications & External Affairs team. 

This position requires the following skills and experience:

• Current undergraduate junior/senior, graduate student, or recent graduate in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public policy, or a related field.
• If applicants do not have a college degree, we encourage them to have 1-3 years of relevant work experience. We also welcome U.S. military veterans to apply.
• Superior writing, editing, and visual storytelling skills; ability to write clearly for public, professional, and policy audiences.
• Familiarity with major social platforms (LinkedIn, Substack, Instagram) and basic content tools (Canva, video clipping, basic analytics).
• Strong attention to detail, comfort meeting deadlines, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 
• Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following: national security, global affairs, workforce development, economic inclusion, or civic impact.

Administrative & Operations Intern
 

Internship Summary

M.I.8 is seeking an Administrative & Operations Intern to support day-to-day organizational operations, event coordination, and program delivery. This role is ideal for someone who understands that “no task is too small,” is comfortable with logistics, scheduling, document prep, and professional communication, and wants exposure to how a mission-focused firm runs behind the scenes. Interns will gain hands-on experience supporting leadership, coordinating internal workflows, and ensuring operational readiness for programs and engagements.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide logistical and administrative support for meetings, site visits, trainings, fellowship sessions, simulations, and public events.
• Assist with scheduling, preparing briefing packets, assembling documents, printing materials, and note-taking for leadership and program staff. 
• Support basic tracking of budgets, invoices, vendor coordination, and partner communications.
• Contribute to internal and external correspondence, including follow-up summaries and thank-you notes to partners and stakeholders.
• Perform other similar duties as needed across teams.
   

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

 

This position requires the following skills and experience:

• Current undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, and early career professionals with 1 to 3 years of experience in administration, project coordination, or management are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is ideal for those who wish to understand the operational foundations of a strategic consulting organization or for recent graduates in fields such as business administration, public administration, project management, communications, security studies, or a related area.
• U.S. military veterans are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under strict deadlines. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and professional etiquette in stakeholder-facing settings. 
• High attention to detail, reliability, and willingness to take on both administrative and substantive tasks. 
• Prior experience in an office, program support, or event support environment (including internships, student leadership, or volunteer coordination) is preferred.

International Affairs Research Intern

Summary

M.I.8 seeks a graduate-level International Affairs Research Intern, U.S. Military Veteran, or early-career professional to contribute to analysis on global security, great-power competition, and sustainable development across Africa, Latin America, and the Indo-Pacific. Ideal for current master's candidates or early-career professionals with 3–5 years of analytical or regional experience, this position blends research, policy writing, and project support for senior leadership.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on international security, economic resilience, and regional governance.
• Produce literature reviews, analytical memos, and data-driven policy briefs.
  Track geopolitical developments, partner initiatives, and foreign policy shifts relevant to M.I.8's mission.
• Support event planning, roundtables, and public engagement logistics.
  Collaborate across teams to integrate global insights into program strategy.
   

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

• Graduate student, U.S. Military Veteran, or professional with 3–5 years of experience in research, policy analysis, or consulting.
• Strong writing, critical thinking, and open-source research skills.
• Familiarity with global affairs, international economics, or regional policy issues.
  Proficiency in a second language (French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic) preferred.

Based on your selected internship position, please respond to both questions listed for that role.

Each response should be no more than 150 words and uploaded as a single document (PDF or Word) titled: LastName_FirstName_PositionTitle_Responses

Your responses should reflect both your expertise and character — highlighting your real-world experience, critical thinking, and alignment with M.I. VIII Global Security Consulting's mission of bridging strategy, innovation, and security to shape a resilient future.

 
Social Media & Digital Communications Intern

1. Describe one digital campaign or project you led that successfully translated a complex issue (policy, social impact, or business) into clear public messaging. What strategy or tool made it effective?
2. M.I. VIII operates where strategy, innovation, and security converge. How would you balance creative storytelling with factual accuracy when communicating on sensitive or technical topics?

Public Relations & Strategic Communications Intern

1. Share an example of a time you managed communications under pressure or on a tight timeline. What did you learn about professionalism and clarity?
2. In your view, what defines ethical and impactful public communication when representing an organization engaged in global security and workforce development?

Education & Workforce Research Intern

1. Describe a research or analytical project you conducted that informed a program or policy decision. What methods or insights did you contribute?
2. M.I.8 connects education to employability. How do you personally define "real-world readiness," and how does your background reflect that definition?

Administrative & Operations Intern

1. Tell us about a time you improved an operational process or event workflow. What problem did you solve, and what was the result?
2. This role often requires balancing competing priorities quietly and professionally. How do you maintain integrity and attention to detail under pressure?

International Affairs Research Intern

1. Briefly discuss a regional or thematic issue in international affairs that you've researched deeply. What insight or perspective do you bring to that discussion?
   Collaboration and humility are essential in global analysis.
2. How do you approach disagreement or uncertainty when working within a diverse research team?