Internship Opportunities
The World Affairs Council of St. Louis is always seeking interns to assist with the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) & other Council programs. Internships may begin anytime during the year, on a rolling basis. Undergraduate or graduate students may earn academic credit relevant to their field of study. Internships are unpaid.
Meet our Interns
Lila Singley
Spring 2024 Intern
Hello! My name is Lila Singley and I am from Costa Mesa, California. I currently study at Saint Louis University and am double majoring in Political Science and International Studies with a minor in Spanish. Some of my hobbies include writing for my campus’ chapter of HerCampus online magazine, reading, listening to music, and working out. I am looking forward to learning about the ins and outs of a nonprofit organization and all of the work World Affairs STL does in the community!
Dwight Jackson
Spring 2024 Intern
Hello, my name is Dwight Jackson and I am currently a senior at Lindenwood University. I am majoring in International Relations and minoring in Asian studies with a concentration in Global Fluency. I am a competitive collegiate cheerleader for a 13-time national champion program. I am most excited to be able to network with different communities and global leaders both locally and internationally.
What We Do
International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)
Work with the U.S. State Department to deliver socially impactful, custom programs through the IVLP initiative. IVLP brings professional visitors from other countries to the United States, including visits to St. Louis, for cultural and professional exchanges.
Academic WorldQuest
Partner with Saint Louis University to present Academic World Quest, a competition for high-school-age students to demonstrate knowledge of current world.
Great Decisions
Educate the community through Great Decisions, which is a speaker-series program of the Foreign Policy Association. The format is delivered through a free series of presentations, videos, and discussions.
Annual Awards Event
Honor St. Louis regional leaders through Gateway Globes and the International Humanitarian of the Year awards.
Other Initiatives
Connect St. Louis to the world via guest speakers, corporate tours, and other special events.
About the Internship Program
General Requirements
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- Internships are unpaid. Undergraduate or graduate students may be eligible to receive academic credit from their university.
- Interns are expected to work on average 15 hours a week during the school year, and more hours depending on academic credit requirements. During the summer semester we expect all interns to work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
- Interns must have effective communication skills (written and oral) in English as well as excellent interpersonal skills, time management abilities, and cross-cultural competence.
- Interns must be self-directed, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, be detail oriented, and maintain accurate records is required.
- Interns must be willing & able to learn new skills.
- Computer experience in Microsoft Office software and/or Google Documents, specifically word processing and database software is highly preferred.
- Interns will use their personal devices and internet service to perform their duties.
- Interns will assist with the planning and execution of all programs offered by the Council as well as Council administrative needs.
What Interns Do
• Research, update, input & organize data for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other Council programs. Data may include cultural events in St. Louis, professional resources, and dinner diplomats for IVLP, mailing lists, and more.
• Brainstorm & execute ideas for virtual engagement of international visitors. Video filming/editing skills a plus!
• Create promotional materials for events & meetings.
• Social media posting of pre-prepared posts.
• Help identify & draft proposals for IVLP programs suitable for St. Louis.
• Assist in setting up & conducting virtual and in-person professional meetings & cultural events for IVLP visitors. Such as: acting as a backup for Zoom/in-person meetings; general tech assistance; moderating questions; scheduling meetings; observe professional meetings.
• Event planning & event execution assistance. For example, attend & help tally WorldQuest competition answers & results.
How Interns Benefit
• Improved office skills such as word processing & database software skills
• Sharpened interpersonal skills — how to communicate more effectively on a professional level
• Social media skills
• Exposure to international visitors & professional resources
• Access to U.S. State Department communications on events, internships & jobs
• Greater knowledge of international diplomatic endeavors by the Department of State
• Event planning skills
• Understanding of the workings of a non- profit organization
Internship Program Impact
The World Affairs Council of St. Louis has been able to successfully find jobs for two interns and have been able to send past interns to Washington D.C. for National Conferences as a Global Ties U.S. Emerging Leader or a Student Scholar for the World Affairs Councils of America.
Past Interns
2023 Fall Interns
Alexia Prudencio, Lindenwood University
Leo Klayman, Washington University
2023 Summer Interns
Ally Denton, University of Kansas
Cate VanSchaik, Kalamazoo College
Evelyn Berg, Eureka High School
Patrick Lee, Indiana University
Sofia Gonzalez, Southern Illinois University-Ewardsville
Thrisha Kosaraju, Washington University
2023 Spring Interns
Noah Cella, University of Missouri St. Louis
Ziwang (Michael) Suo, Lindenwood Univesity
2022 Fall Intern
Valerie Holt, Saint Louis University
2022 Summer Interns
Alex Bowles, University of Missouri
Ella Zimmerman, Gettysburg College
Eva Oelsner, University of Missouri
Caroline Kopsky, Washington University
Matthew Matava, American University
2022 Spring Intern
Ashley Brown, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
2021 Fall Interns
Ashley Brown, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Blerta Beluli, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Brooklyn Hollander, Washington University
Elana Tognola, Washington University
Jonathan Gutierrez, University of Missouri-St. Louis
2021 Summer Interns
Brylie Noe, Washington University
Estavan Hutchinson, St. Charles Community College
Jensen Bee, Syracuse University
Leila Payer, Grinnell College
MacKenzie Fraser, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2021 Spring Interns
Anna Pruitt
Estavan Hutchinson, St. Charles Community College
Michael Kruse, University of Missouri-St. Louis
2019 Interns
Grace Marker
Lily Wurm