Economic Development Intern; Summer

Scope of Work

The Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self‑sufficient by providing career development training, financial coaching, education, apprenticeships, jobs, and microloans.

• Work directly with IRC Employment Specialists and Financial Coaches to implement and monitor performance on the Career Development Program.
• Teach advanced job‑readiness trainings, covering career development, business writing, networking, interview preparation, and financial literacy.
• Counsel and guide clients toward long‑term career goals through individualized trainings, resume and cover‑letter preparation, and one‑on‑one job‑application assistance.
• Provide group and individual trainings to support successful workforce integration.
• Accompany clients to job‑preparation activities and interviews, and coach them on interview techniques.
• Assist clients in setting up bank accounts, conduct financial‑literacy workshops, and help with loan applications.
• Help clients complete new‑hire paperwork and other employment‑program documentation.
• Audit employment‑program files to ensure documentation meets program requirements and update program databases regularly.
• Advocate for clients’ labor‑market rights by providing references and meeting with employers to explain the benefits of hiring IRC clients.
• Perform other duties as identified by Employment Specialists.

• Create effective professional and job‑specific resumes and cover letters.
• Cater curricula to federal guidelines while responding to employer/client needs.
• Communicate effectively with clients and interpreters.
• Use individual coaching techniques to engage and empower clients.
• Develop outreach strategies for building strategic relationships.
• Adapt training curriculum to clients’ needs and teach essential life skills and professional development in group settings.
• Advocate for clients’ rights and needs in the labor market.
• Expose clients to networking, financial literacy, and professional job acquisition strategies.
• Implement program safeguards to protect domestic‑violence survivors, vulnerable populations, and empower women.

• Self‑motivated and able to work independently.
• Strong collaboration skills – able to work with fellow interns to create and teach trainings.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Comfortable in a fast‑paced environment and adaptable to change.
• Confident in public speaking or interested in developing these skills.
• Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues and workforce development.
• Language skills in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Hindi, or Swahili are a plus.
• Three‑month minimum commitment; required 20+ hours per week, preferred 35+ hours per week.
• Preference for current students and recent graduates; candidates outside 12 months of graduation are welcome as volunteers.

Minimum commitment: 20 hours per week for a three‑month internship. 35+ hours per week preferred. Internship is for the Summer 2026 semester (June–August) and must begin with an in‑person orientation on June
12026 from 9:15AM‑3:30PM.

Location:

Silver Spring office. Must be able to work in person at least 15 hours per week.

Internship is unpaid; eligible interns may receive per diem reimbursement of $15 per day.

All selected applicants must complete background checks. Selected interns will be asked to make a $30 donation to cover associated background‑check costs.

Apply by May
222026. Submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of at least three references.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.