Spring 2025: Career Programs Intern (Unpaid)

*Please note: this is an unpaid internship*

IRC BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 48 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments. 

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: Career Programs intern will assist the Career Development Specialist and Career Development Coordinator in providing career development services to refugee clients who are interested in earning industry recognized certifications in fields such as Allied Healthcare, I.T., Manufacturing, and more. In addition,Career Program interns will help Career Program staff in delivering workforce preparation activitiesand classes at the IRC,so that studentsimprove their work readiness skills. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Support Career Development staff with a variety of projects and administrative tasks, including data entry, filing, and database quality assurance.

• Assist participants with college and FAFSA applications.

• Support Career Program staff with post–class follow-ups.

• Work individually with clients with resume review, job searching, networking opportunities, and interview preparation.

• Provide one-on-one technical assistance sessions to participants with limited English proficiency.

• Develop guides and resources in multiple professional fields and prepare curriculums.

• Assist training staff with other tasks as assigned.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

1. Intern will increase their knowledge of refugee population in San Diego and challenges they face specifically in workforce.

1. Intern will learn how to render direct service to clients regarding employment. 

1. Intern will receive training and familiarity in data entry and data analysis.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program focused on Education,International Relations/Development, Social Work, or related field.

• Possess excellent organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, along with empathy and effective collaboration.

• Ability to use basic functions of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office programs.

• English fluency required.

• Volunteer experience with a non-profit preferred.

• Show a strong interest in working with a diverse, low-income population.

• Proactive, motivated and flexible; able to remain calm and adapt within a fast-paced work environment.

• Ability to take direction (written and oral) and to complete tasks independently and in a timely manner.

• Language skills (such as Farsi/Dari, Kiswahili, Arabic, Burmese or Russian) a plus.

This position reports to Career Development Coordinator  

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment:

• The Career Programs Internship is fully remote

• Required Weekly Hours: 10 hours

• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST.Selected intern can choose their hours based on this window of availability.