Cooke Foundation Internship Program Overview

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $332 million in scholarships to nearly 3,900 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career counseling, and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $144 million in grants to organizations that serve such students.

The Foundation seeks motivated college students to join our intern team.  Foundation Interns can expect a full-time, paid position from late-May through mid-August (minimum of 350 hours). Interns will engage in meaningful work alongside Foundation staff within their chosen internship focus to gain real hands-on experience, as well as broader exposure to the work of private foundations and scholarship organizations.

The Career Advancement Team helps students explore career options, build professional skills, and connect to real opportunities. We also stay connected with our alumni and engage them as mentors, speakers, and champions for current students. Our work includes supporting career exploration, internships, networking, professional development programs, and building relationships with employers and partners. In short, we help students turn their academic success into meaningful career pathways, while creating a strong, supportive professional community that lasts well beyond graduation.

Principal Responsibilities

Career Support

• Refresh and organize career resources
• Assist with internship and travel stipend programs

Communications & Digital Content

• Update content on Canvas
• Contribute to newsletters and achievement spotlights

Events & Engagement

• Help plan career activities for Scholars Weekend
• Create and update marketing materials
• Support event logistics and mailings

Data & Organization

• Help document processes and build simple tracking systems
• Maintain recruitment spreadsheet, calendars and employer information

Qualifications & Requirements

• Currently pursuing associate, bachelor, or graduate education or have graduated within 6 months of start date.
• Experience in a professional office setting preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and interpersonal relations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Positive team player eager to take initiative on multiple projects.
• Strong attention to detail & organizational skills.
• Must be available to work some nights and weekends to staff events.
• Access to personal transportation/housing is required.

Location and Type of Work

This position will primarily work from our headquarters office in Lansdowne, Virginia, to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Our permanent hybrid work schedule is Tuesday and Wednesday in-office, with some flexibility to work remote on other days.  This position will be required to work some nights and weekends to staff events, which includes our Scholars Weekend Event on July 31 – August 3.

Compensation

In addition to the opportunity to gain valuable experience, the JKCF summer internship program offers a competitive hourly wage of $18.00/hour.

Please note that the program will follow the JKCF summer holiday calendar which includes two unpaid holidays, Juneteenth (June 19) and July 4.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a resume and cover letter through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Career Center. E-Verify employer. No phone calls please.