International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring, Maryland has started recruitment for Winter 2023 internships. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) was founded at the behest of Albert Einstein in 1933 to assist people fleeing from persecution. Since then, the IRC has grown and works all over the world providing humanitarian support. In Silver Spring, the IRC works with refugees the moment they step off the plane to help them get situated and become self-sufficient members of their new community.
NOTE: BYU calls January – May “Winter” semester. Almost ALL other campuses and internships will refer to this as “Spring”, so make sure you select the “spring” internship openings for Winter semester. Internships secured may qualify for housing and credit through the BYU Washington Seminar program, more information at: fhssinternships.byu.edu.
IRC Silver Spring is operating hybrid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. WINTER 2023 interns may work partly in-person or entirely remote, depending on the program. The situation will be reevaluated as things evolve.
Titles and a brief description of each internship are listed below. You can find the full description by going to https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=rescue and filtering by City (Silver Spring) and Employee Category (Intern). Prospective interns will use that link to apply. We strongly encourage interested applicants to apply for more than one program. If you want professional, hands-on experience working with refugees, asylees, & trafficking victims, apply to be an intern with the IRC in Silver Spring!
IRC internships give interns the opportunity to work directly with refugees to teach them or help them accomplish tasks needed to live successfully in the US. We offer 15 unique internships that offer a wide variety of opportunities to develop different skills and gain experience including:
- Anti-Trafficking: The Anti-Trafficking program provides trauma-informed and client-centered services to assist victims of trafficking. Services include meeting clients' basic needs, ensuring clients' safety and access to temporary and long-term shelter as needed. Also, the program refers clients to pro bono legal services, mental health specialists and economic empowerment activities as needed.
- Career Development: Refugees are often required to accept the first available job they get offered. This means that many refugees with professional experience take jobs outside of their previous field of work. The Career Development Program helps them re-enter their previous field of work. Since these are more advanced positions, staff and interns provide advanced job readiness trainings and teach skills geared towards acquiring positions in mid-level and up jobs.
- Refugee Employment and Skill-Building: This program aims to reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and employment and assist parents to secure full-time employment.
- Gender Equity: IRC programming assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient and supports acclimatization within the United States by providing access to casework services. All IRC service provision is provided through the lens of Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI). This role will support the IRC's Gender Equality work, cross-cutting programmatically and departmentally to support the administration of equitable services and the proper consideration of gender concerns in programmatic and departmental initiatives.
- Immigration: This program's primary responsibilities include helping immigrants obtain permanent Residence Status, Citizenship, and family reunification. Many IRC immigration interns go on to pursue law school citing the internship as inspiration and good experience.
- Youth Development: The IRC's Youth Development Program works to support the integration of recently arrived refugees and asylees you are middle and high school aged students. Students participate in IRC's after school programs, Saturday Learning Series, and other programs, each designed to address challenges identified by our clients.
- VIEW MORE INTERNSHIPS ON THE WEBSITE
Most internships require a minimum of 15 to 20 hours per week. All selected interns will need to undergo and clear a background check and reference check to intern. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients, and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients. Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer.
IRC Silver Spring is operating hybrid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spring 2023 interns may work partly in-person or entirely remote, depending on the program. The situation will be reevaluated as things evolve.
All internships are unpaid. For information on scholarship opportunities, contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring intern coordinator at Kyle.Monsees@Rescue.org.
To view opportunities and apply, visit https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=rescue Applications require a resume, cover letter, and list of three references.
We currently offer internships during the following semesters: Spring: January – May Summer: May – August Fall: September – December Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.
*Candidates applying who are not currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or are outside 12 months of their graduation are welcome to apply. These candidates will be processed as volunteers.
IRC leading the way from harm to home.
