Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:

Founded in 2013 by David Axelrod, the Institute of Politics, a non-partisan, extracurricular organization at the University of Chicago, aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of political and public service leaders. Four core programs form the heart of the Institute: civic engagement opportunities that enable students to experience politics-in-action through political exploration trips, leadership training, service programs and voter engagement projects; visiting fellowships where distinguished political officials, policymakers, journalists, diplomats and others are in residence on campus during an academic quarter; political and public service internships that provide students with paid, substantive career development opportunities; and a continuous series of public events featuring leading political figures sharing their insights on key issues of the day.

The IOP House Intern program offers students the opportunity to work closely with IOP staff to facilitate operations and programming, playing a central role in supporting the IOP's many activities and initiatives. Interns gain valuable knowledge and skills in public and social service as well as in specific program areas. IOP House Internships are available to undergraduate students, are paid, and are eligible for work study. Graduate Assistant positions are available to graduate students, are paid, and are eligible for work study.

Internship Summary:

The Fellows Program Interns will undergo up to 10 hours of training with the Deputy Director, Program Coordinator, and outgoing interns during spring quarter of 2025. The internship will then begin in a full-time capacity in the fall of 2025 and continue through the end of spring quarter (June 2026).

The Fellows Intern plays a key role in supporting the IOP Fellows Staff, IOP Resident and Visiting Fellows, Fellows Ambassadors, and other students that work closely with Fellows to ensure a positive and rewarding experience for Fellows and students.

Responsibilities:

• Attending weekly student intern meetings with IOP staff
• Preparing for weekly Fellows seminars (logistics, scheduling, catering, etc.)
• Coordinating and monitoring campus outreach and publicity for weekly seminars and other Fellows activities with the assistance of Fellows Ambassadors and IOP staff
• Supervising all Fellows Ambassador activities, including weekly team leader meetings
• Overseeing Ambassador application process, selection of Ambassadors and Team Leaders each quarter
• Serving as a second line of support for all Visiting and Resident Fellows
• Drafting and fielding surveys of Fellows seminar attendees, and tracking key metrics for each Fellows seminar, as well as Fellows campus engagement more broadly
• Assisting with management of Fellows event and office hours pages
• Assisting and monitoring Fellows Ambassadors with ancillary activities for their Fellows
• Assisting Fellows Staff with research and other administrative tasks as needed
• Serving as front desk receptionist during IOP business hours
• Track and manage program data (attendance, etc)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in politics and public service
• Familiarity with Fellows program and prior Fellows engagement
• Strong research abilities and resourcefulness
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with Google Docs, Dropbox, and Excel
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work with minimal oversight; self-directed and motivated
• Demonstrated ability to lead peers and manage teams

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter.

Hours: 10-15 hours/week Compensation: $16.20/hour