The Mansfield Foundation offers full- and part-time unpaid internships in the spring, summer and fall for undergraduate students, recent graduates and graduate students interested in gaining first-hand experience working in an Asia-related public policy organization in Washington, D.C.  Candidates should be available at least 3 days a week.

Our interns have hailed from Japan, Korea, China, India, and France, as well as from across the United States. They have represented schools including, but not limited to: American University; Brigham Young University; Brown University; Connecticut College; Colby College; Delhi University, India; Ewha Women’s University, Korea; Georgetown University; George Washington University; Keio University, Japan; Kyongii University, Korea; New College of Florida; Northwestern University; Oberlin College; State University of New York at Brockport; State University of New York at Buffalo; Sungkyunkwan University; University of California at Irvine; University of California at Los Angeles; University of California at Santa Barbara; University of Hawaii; University of Iowa; University of Massachusetts Amherst; University of Texas at Austin; University of Virginia; Vassar College; and Gettysburg College.

Internship Duties:

Interns may participate in a variety of activities, including research, writing, translation, and organize meetings and events. Specific internship duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting background research for Mansfield Foundation programs
• Proofreading and editing Mansfield Foundation publications and documents
• Taking notes at internal meetings
• Attending public meetings in the Washington, D.C., area and writing event summaries
• Drafting correspondence
• Assisting with program planning and logistics
• Assisting in developing funding proposals
• Updating the Mansfield Foundation’s database
• Performing general administrative tasks (answering phones, photocopying, faxing etc.)

Qualifications:

• Highly motivated undergraduate, recent graduate or  graduate student in good standing and with a strong interest or background in Asia-related issues or studies
• Strong written and oral communications skills and attention to detail
• Professional demeanor, excellent problem-solving skills, organizational abilities, and inter-personal skills
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people, both independently and as part of a team.
• Prior office experience is desirable.
• Knowledge of Japanese, Chinese or Korean is desirable, but not mandatory.

Internship Benefits:

• Metrocheks to offset the cost of your commute to and from the Mansfield Foundation offices
• College credit if your university allows
• Invitations to Asia-related programming and Foundation activities
• Exposure to senior government, business and NGO leaders from the United States and various Asian countries
• Professional development in a challenging environment that prepares interns for full-time employment in a professional setting.
• Opportunity to gain experience in areas of office management, event planning, data collection, analysis, and professional writing development.

We are pleased that Mansfield Internship Program alumni continue to make a contribution to U.S.-Asia relations. Former interns have current titles that include: Program Associate, Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership; Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI); International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce; Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State; Paralegal, U.S. Department of Justice; Assistant Language Teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET); Assistant Project Director for Northeast Asia, National Committee on American Foreign Policy, Inc.; Professional Staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan; Professional Staff, Air Force, Singapore; Assistant Director, The Atlantic Council of the United States; Associate, Civic Service, Inc.; and Business Development Manager, Erowa, China.

Application:

• Cover Letter: Please detail why you want to intern at the Mansfield Foundation, your internship objectives and your career goals.  Please also indicate your availability (start date, end date, days and hours you are available).
• Résumé: Please list your complete educational and professional data and information about extracurricular activities.
• Writing Sample: Please enclose a 3-5 page writing sample.
• Two letters of reference: Each letter should address your interest and experience in Asia and public policy; ability to communicate both orally and in writing; and ability to work effectively as part of a team. At least one letter should be from a faculty member.

Application Deadlines:

Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling basis throughout the year depending on recruitment needs.

Please indicate which term you are applying for when sending in applications.

• Summer Term: early June through late August.
• Fall Term: early September through late December.
• Spring Term: early January through late May.

For those who wish to work on a timeline different than what is indicated above, please make this clear in the application.

Send complete applications BY EMAIL to:

Ms. Hayley Aron
Administrative and Program Assistant

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1105
Washington, DC 20005
Fax: (202) 347-3941
haron@mansfieldfdn.org

No phone calls please.

*Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.