Careers & Internships
On This Page
Job Openings
To apply, please email [email protected]
Be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn
About the Internship Program
Interns for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire give of their time and talents to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. All of our internships are unpaid; however, in return for their hard work and dedication, our interns receive valuable training, knowledge, hands-on non-profit work experience, a chance to meet others, and the gratification of making a difference in the life of a child.
Academic credit can also be provided for students (specific criteria/requirements of the student’s educational institution apply). All interns must be a current undergraduate or graduate student (over the age of 18) with excellent written and oral communications skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to multitask and maintain confidentiality, computer proficiency, and a passion for the work of Make-A-Wish.
COVID-19 Update: Our offices are open to the public once again. All internships are planned to be in-person either at our Irvine or Riverside offices. We are no-longer offering a remote format for the internship program.
Types of Internships
Our interns assist in various areas of Make-A-Wish alongside staff and other volunteers. The following are the current internship opportunities that are available for Fall 2023:
IRVINE OFFICE
The Public Relations Intern will assist with public relations efforts of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire while further developing skills in public relations, brand management and written and oral communications. We are looking for someone who can make a 8 hour+/week commitment.
Responsibilities:
- Content creation including website, general fact updates, graphics and photos
- Crafting and posting on social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube when applicable
- Creating news release and media alerts in association with Make-A-Wish OCIE initiatives and event
- Communicate with community partners
- Designing Adopt-A-Wish plaques and Lamar billboards
The Executive Intern will work directly with the President & CEO on various projects. This person will provide general administrative assistance while completing research to advance the organization. We are looking for someone who can make a 8 hour+/week commitment.
Responsibilities:
- Prospect research on donors, foundations, and corporations in the communities we serve
- Engage with business journals and community partners
- Support with data entry, communications and fundraising campaigns
The Development Interns (2 openings) will be assisting with stewardship efforts, organizing Thank-A-Thons, prospecting donors and updating records. One of these interns will also assist with grant research. We are looing for someone who can make a 10 hour+/week commitment.
Responsibilities:
- Prospect research on donors, foundations, corporations and schools in the communities we serve
- Assist with stewardship thank you calls and notes
- Request in-kind donations for events and wish needs
- Identify opportunities for local partnerships and manage research results
- Conduct research and outreach related to major projects, campaigns, and fundraising events
The Social Media Intern will assist creating and developing content and social management for our chapter sites. We are looking for someone who can make a 8 hour+/week commitment.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with developing content, including text, images and videos, to showcase wish stories, events and fundraising initiatives
- Assist in creating and maintaining a social media calendar to schedule posts and campaigns strategically
- Track key social media metrics, analyze performance data and evaluate the success of campaigns and strategies
- Support marketing campaigns and fundraising initiatives by leveraging social media channels effectively
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team and other departments to ensure cohesive branding and messaging across all platforms
- Stay up to date with the latest social media trends, tools and best practices to continuously improve our social media strategy
The Youth Programs Intern will assist with Kids for Wish Kids (KFWK) and Wish Makers on Campus (WMOC) programs, creating and updates toolkits and resources for KFWK and WMOC, assist in developing leadership trainings and seminars and other efforts for our youth programs.
Responsibilities:
- Assist with communications between students and club advisors
- Create promotional and training materials related to youth engagement programs
- Build and strengthen relationships with local schools
- Coordinate event logistics related to youth engagement programs
All internships require a passion for and commitment to the work of Make-A-Wish
Before You Apply
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to view our informational webinar to learn more about our program and what can be expected if invited to join our Volunteer Intern team!
What You Should Know Before You Apply: Make-A-Wish Internship Program FAQs (Webinar)
How To Apply
To apply for an internship position, you must submit:
- Resume
Apply by clicking here or to:
Dani Skolnick, Volunteer Services Coordinator
E-mail: [email protected]
Timeline
Please note that the dates below are subject to change. Based on a student's availability and school schedule, internships can begin or end before or after the dates indicated below.
2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
SPRING 2024
Dates of program: January 8 - May 17
Applications Accepted: Open now through December 8
SUMMER 2024
Dates of program: June 3 - August 9
Applications Accepted: April 15 - May 10
FALL 2024
Dates of program: August 26 - December 13
Applications Accepted: July 8 - August 9
Interns generally work between 8-10 hours per week. While these time frames work best for most students, all scheduling, including start/end dates and hours per week, is flexible and negotiated between the candidate and their supervisor during the interview stage of the selection process.
All hired interns must successfully complete a background check and attend an orientation session prior to beginning their internship.
Should you have any questions during the application process, please email [email protected].