Fellowships

Mississippi Votes is looking for Interns for the Spring 2024 Semester at Jackson State University, Belhaven University, Milsaps College, Mississippi College, and Tougaloo College. Interns must be full-time Undergraduate Students or enrolled as a Graduate Student at either of the aforementioned colleges. During the Spring Semester Internship, MS Votes does not accept Undergraduate Senior Applicants.

Application Deadline: January 22, 2024 at 11:59pm CST 
Start Date for Selected Applicants: February 26, 2024

Internship Details:

MS Votes’ Spring 2024 Internship is an opportunity that engages and empowers young people attending Mississippi’s metropolitan area colleges and universities. This internship is jammed packed with travel opportunities and real experience working in the social justice realm. Participants will have the opportunity to work on projects and events from start to finish, work directly with the leaders of MS Votes, and learn more about the organization through normal clerical, day-to-day work. Interns will gain skills such as grassroots organizing, communications, data management and much more. Interns will deepen their political analysis through readings and various trainings.

Requirements:

• Must attend an in-person orientation
• Must attend 3 political education trainings 
• Must attend the Legislative Advocacy Day ***
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must be able to commit to 10 hours per week 
• Must be able to assist MS Votes with event
• Self-motivated; Self-starter
• Task-oriented
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts
• Exceptional collaborative learning style
• Commitment to the mission of the MS Votes
• Reports to Mississippi Votes' Programs Director

Duties and Responsibilities:

35% of the responsibilities are clerical/administrative; 

35% is special projects; 

30% is training and leadership development

• Answer phone inquiries, direct calls, and provide basic information; oversee mail deliveries, packages, and couriers
• Perform clerical duties, take memos, maintain files, and organize documents; photocopy, fax, etc. as needed
• Take notes and memos during meetings; type documents, drafts, and reports; sort and manage files
• Run general operations-related errands
• Manage databases and input information, data, and records
• Set up, break down, organize, and maintain conference rooms, training rooms, and meeting rooms; update company calendars
• Attend organization functions and networking events
• Update and post supervised social media and website content; respond to web correspondence, social media posts, and emails
•  Plan and Manage a minimum of four (4) Voter Registration Events 
• Coordinate and/or assist with special projects as assigned (i.e., staffing the MS Votes Voter Information Hotline, Text and Phone Banking, etc)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much and how often will I be paid? 

A:  Interns are paid $12/hour and receive their pay on a bi-weekly basis through direct deposit. 

Q: What if I already have knowledge of the training being offered? Do I have to attend? 

A: All training sessions are mandatory! You never know what ideas could spark during a training session. 

Required Readings & Writing

The political education of young people is a core value of MS Votes. Interns may be required to engage in reading circles with the MS Votes team but surely the Executive Director and the Programs Director. Fellows may also be asked to produce blog pieces for MS Votes’ blog site and for public consumption during the duration of their internship. 

This year’s required reading for your cohort is:

How the Word is Passed, Clint Smith

Opportunities for Growth

Mississippi Votes’ commitment to the development of young people is true and vast. As opportunities present themselves, MS Votes will oblige any other development requests interns may have.

For Questions or concerns, please contact Robert Patrick, Programs Director at robert@msvotes.org.

Spring 2024 Internship Application