We hire a team of paid interns every semester at ActBlue, who are interested in everything from politics to law to writing and marketing. They come to us from varying college majors, hometowns, and backgrounds, and they bring unique perspectives and ideas to the ActBlue team. It’s our goal to help them learn the ins and outs of ActBlue and show them what it’s like to work in politics, as well as within the larger grassroots movement. Perhaps most importantly, they’re able to explore how their own interests and skills can play a role in their political work.
I can speak to the intern experience first-hand, since I myself started interning at ActBlue in 2014. The work I did was extremely rewarding — I knew that every task I completed played a part in the larger mission of ActBlue, and I also knew that I was gaining some great experience to take with me after college. I started as an intern during the summer before my senior year of college as a writing and literature major. I knew I wanted to write, but I also had a passion for politics and I had no idea those interests could intersect so perfectly. Before I started with ActBlue, I didn’t know that the job I’m currently doing existed. When I thought about working in politics, I only thought about actually running for office or working on a campaign. I didn’t realize the scope of the work being done, or how fulfilling that work could be, but my internship introduced me to a host of new opportunities and ways I could make a difference.
Since I graduated, I’ve been a full-time staffer, working with our Marketing Team and building a career in digital organizing. That means I’m now on the other side of the internship program, and it’s been amazing to see how excited our interns are about Democratic politics and how inspired they are by the strength of the small-dollar donor movement. They’re the kind of enthusiastic, passionate activists that are going to play a big role in all the work we’ll be doing on the left in the coming years and we’re grateful we can be a part of their stories.
Jess, Deb, and Monika worked on our Customer Service, Marketing, and Outreach teams. They’re moving on from ActBlue to new adventures in the fall, so we chatted with each of them to hear about their experiences.
Jess:
It’s been extremely rewarding to see the incredible ways ActBlue’s platform has been able to support the resistance. I’ve seen first-hand that people are not sitting by and letting this country fall at the hands of Trump and the GOP. They’re running for office. They’re donating to really great candidates. They’re starting PACs and advocacy organizations, and they’re building powerful networks of small-dollar donors who can respond to attacks on things like our healthcare within hours. It’s been really eye-opening to see the power of grassroots organizing and it reminds me that all hope is not lost.
Deb:
During my internship, I had to juggle multiple projects with different demands and time commitments. I got to expand on my abilities to prioritize and multitask, while also learning how to design projects on my own. But my favorite part of being an ActBlue intern was the exposure I got to the national political landscape from right here in Somerville, Mass. Each team at ActBlue plays a unique part in the political process, and I’m so grateful to have been able to see things from different angles throughout my time here.
Monika:
When I started interning last year, I wanted to find a workplace where I could play an active role in Democratic politics in the months leading up to the election, while still being able to develop my personal and professional interests. I’ve been exposed to so many different organizations and individuals who are doing really great advocacy work throughout the country. I’ve been able to expand my view of nonprofits who work in this space, but I’ve also been able to develop my own intentions and ambitions as I move forward in my career.
The energy and drive we see in our interns every semester is inspiring to all of us, and a sure sign of all the great activism and work that’s going to be done in the upcoming years.
We’ve already completed the intern hiring process for the fall, but should be accepting applications for spring interns in mid-to-late October. If you’re interested in applying, we encourage you to check back. Aside from all the great experience they receive, our interns are paid, provided with a transportation subsidy, and all the snacks and coffee they need to get them through interning and taking classes. If you have questions about our internship program, drop us a line at internships@actblue.com.