Internship Opportunities with SPSSI
Washington, DC

We accept internship applications on a rolling basis.

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) is a scholarly association of 3000 scientists from psychology and related fields and others who share a common interest in research on the psychological aspects of important social and policy issues. In various ways, SPSSI seeks to bring theory and practice into focus on human problems of the group, the community, and nations, as well as the increasingly important problems that have no national boundaries.

SPSSI offers year-round semester-long internship opportunities for graduate students and undergraduate students at the SPSSI Central Office in Washington, DC. We are seeking students whose academic programs offer course credit for their internship work.

Click here to read our intern testimonials! 

What Interns Do at SPSSI

Interns work independently and with SPSSI staff members on various projects. Depending on the intern's training, skills, and interests—and the time of the year and what projects are on the "front burner"—interns work with staff on a range of substantive activities related to policy, programming, communications, membership, and administration. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• providing research and/or editorial assistance needed to prepare materials for publication, including policy briefs, email communications, and conference materials;
• representing SPSSI at Washington-area seminars and other events;
• researching, writing, and editing content for the SPSSI website, blog, and social media accounts;
• assisting with planning for the annual SPSSI Conference;
• supporting the award and grant program administration;
• communicating with SPSSI members on various issues; and
• assisting with some clerical and administrative tasks, including data entry, developing email lists, managing event RSVPs, updating internal files, and drafting letters or other correspondence.

Internship Information and Application Guidelines

• SPSSI internships are unpaid positions.
• Internship applicants must have completed at least one year of college.
• The usual internship is normally for about 10 to 12 weeks (i.e., roughly corresponding to the academic semester or summer vacation period).
• The internship is considered part-time. A commitment of 8-30 hours/week is expected, and can be scheduled to accommodate concurrent academic commitments.
• SPSSI internships provide students with opportunities to participate in a range of activities, including activities that relate to their academic and career interests.
• SPSSI is located just a few blocks from the Eastern Market Metro Station and is within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court.

To apply, compose a brief cover letter describing your interest in the internship and SPSSI more broadly; what would be your approximate start and end dates for the internship; and what days and times you would be free to intern during the semester or period for which applications are being accepted. Send your cover letter and resume to SPSSI Policy Director Sarah Mancoll. Please include the words "Internship Application" in the subject line of your email.