Communications & Design Unpaid Internship - Spring 2027

About the role

5th District, Department of Corrections offers a Communications/Design internship for Spring 2027. This unpaid internship provides hands‑on experience with real‑world projects that support staff, strengthen communication, and enhance community engagement. The position is based in Des Moines with a flexible schedule and a start date in January 2027.

Responsibilities

• Create and update content for newsletters, training materials, and web page content (writing, editing, basic design, photos/video, and graphics)
• Support a variety of district initiatives that will allow you to sharpen your graphic design, communications, and more
• Attend team meetings, events, and occasional outreach activities

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age and have completed at least two years of college by the start of the internship
• Must be currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution
• Preferred majors/coursework include Advertising, Business, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or Graphic Design
• Must be proficient in Canva for creating graphics, training materials, and photo/video content
• Strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills with excellent attention to detail
• Creative, flexible, organized, self‑directed, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Comfortable being in a criminal justice environment
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality

Pay

Unpaid (professional experience and portfolio‑building opportunities)

Schedule

Hours: Flexible based on student needs