Internship Program

“Working at the Sikh Coalition was an incredibly eye-opening experience. Not only was I able to utilize my legal education in fighting the rights of minorities in the workplace and in the U.S. Army, I had the great privilege of working alongside some of the country's most dedicated advocates. Never in my life will I forget the lessons learned during my time at the Coalition."

— Aman Singh, Summer Legal Intern

 

Check out our new Summer Intern Video


The Sikh Coalition Internship Program allows students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies to gain hands-on experience in promoting the civil and human rights of all individuals. Our Internship Program focuses on giving all interns the opportunity to be involved in projects that they can learn from and enjoy. Throughout the years, interns have worked to further the mission and vision of the Sikh Coalition by helping to achieve legal victories, as well as educating and empowering the community and contributing to the growth of the organization.


Prospective interns should be undergraduate or graduate students who are hard-working, enthusiastic, self-motivated, flexible, and dedicated to protecting and advocating for the civil and human rights of all individuals.


All spring and fall internships are unpaid and require a minimum of 10 hours a week for 10 weeks, unless otherwise noted. A work-study option can be discussed if applicable.

If you are interested in a legal internship, please click here.

Application Guidelines

Now accepting applications for Spring 2013 and Summer 2013 Internships. 

 

Please note: Summer internships are full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks and a small stipend will be provided.  Fall and Spring internships are part-time (a minimum of 10 hours a week is required) for 10 weeks, and are unpaid.

 

Spring 2012 applications will be considered on a rolling basis until February 1, 2013. Summer 2013 applications will be considered on a rolling basis until March 31, 2013. 

  • Please email resume, cover letter and a writing sample to internships@sikhcoalition.org
  • Applicants must clearly indicate which position he or she is applying for.
  • Clearly indicate if interested in a work-study option.
  • Applicants who do not include all the necessary information or do not fit the criteria may not be processed.
  • For further inquires, please email Balbir Singh at balbir@sikhcoalition.org.

Qualifications

The Coalition is looking for passionate individuals dedicated protecting and advocating the civil and human rights of all individuals. Applicants should be detail-oriented, well-organized, self-motivated and be committed to the internship. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required. Basic computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required. Advanced computer skills, such as proficiency in Photoshop, FinalCutPro and Dreamweaver, are preferred. Knowledge of the Coalition's mission and previous initiatives is a plus.

INTERNSHIPS IN THE NEW YORK CITY OFFICE

Education Internship

An ideal candidate will have a strong interest in utilizing education to eliminate discrimination.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Assist with efforts to implement Sikhism into state educational materials
  • Coordinate educational material creation and distribution
  • Communicate with training course graduates to ensure Course goals are being met

For further inquires in regards to the Education Internship, please contact Manbeena Kaur at manbeena@sikhcoalition.org

Social Justice Advocacy Internship

The Coalition seeks a passionate intern to work directly with the Sikh Coalition’s Director of Programs to coordinate the Sikh Coalition’s cross-programmatic social justice campaigns. An ideal candidate will have an interest and/or experience utilizing different methodologies --- Legal, Advocacy, Organizing, and Education – to produce social justice. Candidates should either be pursuing a law degree or pursing an education touching upon human or civil rights work.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Devising and implementing strategies that employ multiple social justice tactics
  • Drafting policy positions and papers
  • Coordinating the work of multiple program areas working on a single campaign
  • Interviewing clients and witnesses
  • Conducting legal research, writing legal research memoranda, drafting briefs (if fellow is a law student)

Legal Internship

For more information about the legal internship, please click here.

Community Outreach Internship

The Sikh Coalition is currently looking for interns with a passion for working toward the empowerment of underrepresented communities. The Community Organizing intern will work with youth in Queens to promote community engagement.

The responsibilities will include:

  • Working with Sikh communities in New York & Queens
  • Organizing workshops and events for the Youth Leadership Development program
  • Leading communications efforts with mainstream and Punjabi media

Operations and Development Internship

The Sikh Coalition is seeking a dynamic intern to work in conjunction with the Operations Manager. The internship will provide an excellent opportunity for the individual to gain invaluable experience in fund development, marketing and non-profit management.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Assist in organizing fundraising events
  • Research and implement tools to increase efficiency
  • Assist in marketing and promotional initiatives
  • Assist in developing internal policies
  • Assist in expanding and managing the volunteer network
  • Maintain the Coalition’s website and online presence

Video and Media Internship

The Sikh Coalition is seeking a creative and passionate individual who can create various videos for educational and promotional purposes. An ideal candidate would possess skills in video production and editing and have a strong interest in social justice and non-profit work. Further, he or she would take initiative to further the mission of the Sikh Coalition through new media.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in video production, marketing and communication to diversify their portfolio, gain hands-on experience in a non-profit setting and help empower and educate various communities.

 

Please note that for this position advanced computer skills, such as proficiency in video editing software (specifically FinalCut Pro), are required.

 

 

INTERNSHIPS IN THE FREMONT, CA OFFICE

Social Justice Advocacy Internship

The Sikh Coalition is seeking a dynamic intern to work in conjunction with the Director of Law and Policy and the Advocacy Manager to coordinate the Sikh Coalition’s current civil rights campaigns.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Devising and implementing interdisciplinary strategies to promote civil rights
  • Drafting policy positions and papers
  • Conducting legal and policy research and writing research memorandah

Community Organizing Internship

The Sikh Coalition is currently looking for interns with a passion for working toward the empowerment of underrepresented communities. The Community Organizing intern will work with the Bay Area Sikh community to raise awareness and promote engagement.

Responsibilities will include:

  • Assist staff with implementing short-and long-term community outreach.
  • Conduct outreach such as attending community meetings and tabling at community events/Gurdwaras.
  • Maintain database of interested stakeholders.
  • Maintain community contacts through phone calls, mailings, emails, and live conversation.
  • Brainstorming & implementing tools for community development.
  • Recruit and organize volunteers for current and future outreach.)
 

Resources

Recent Videos