Description
The Office of Communications is responsible for shaping and executing communications strategies for the Council, advancing key priorities of the President, and showcasing the work of the agency to broad audiences. It also oversees the Council’s communications channels, including the website and social media accounts, President’s newsletter and Policy Insight blog, guides media engagement, and provides strategic support to other units.
This unpaid internship provides college students with an opportunity to work with an award-winning communications team and gain a real-world experience working with a public education agency in Kentucky state government.
Goals of the internship include:
- Supporting the communications and marketing team at CPE.
- Training future leaders in the communications field.
- Helping students in a bachelor’s or graduate-level program develop a portfolio of work and experience for future careers.
Benefits
Communications interns are able to:
- Work with career communications professionals in a creative environment.
- Develop an understanding of public service and government.
- Interact with policy and agency partners.
- Present their work to a leadership team.
- Earn credits toward their degree, if needed.
Qualifications
- Educational focus in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or a related field.
- Ability to write clear, succinct content for social media, press releases, reports, blog posts or additional projects as needed.
- Competency with social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
- Ability to work collaboratively with CPE’s communications team and its partners.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.).
- Experience with developing and executing communications strategies.
- Desire to gain knowledge of higher education policy and state government.
- Experience with video production and photography is a plus.
Length and Timeline for Internship
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but it’s recommended that students apply several months prior to their desired start date. Although interns may start at any time of the year as negotiated between the supervisor and intern, semester start dates are preferable (summer, fall and spring). The minimum timeframe is one semester (10 hours per week). Remote work is available for this position.
Selection Process
Viable applicants will be selected for an interview by phone for the first interview and by Zoom for the second interview. Applicants who are selected then have one week to either accept or decline the internship offer.
Application Instructions
All interested applicants must submit the following application materials in one email to cpe.news@ky.gov with the subject line, "Response to Intern Announcement":
- A cover letter describing your interest in the position, how you satisfy the desired qualification and how the position can help with your bachelor’s or graduate program and your future career.
- A resume.
- One letter of support from an advisor or faculty member in your major.
You will receive a confirmation of receipt from cpe.news@ky.gov within one to three days of sending. However, follow-up communication to set up an interview will be from Sue Patrick, chief communications officer. Please make sure to check your junk email or voice mail for communications from the Council during this process.