The Office of Father and Paternal Engagement

About the Internship

We are seeking a motivated college intern to support programs that strengthen father involvement, promote child well-being, and empower men of color through community engagement and advocacy. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in social services, program development, and outreach.

Intern Responsibilities / Projects

• Content Creation: Develop posts, graphics, and short videos for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter). Create culturally relevant and father-friendly messaging that aligns with program goals.
• Community Engagement: Respond to comments and messages professionally. Promote events, workshops, and success stories to increase participation.
• Campaign Support: Assist in planning and executing social media campaigns for initiatives like iCare4Children and Men of Color.
• Analytics: Track engagement metrics (likes, shares, comments) and prepare simple reports.
• Brand Consistency: Ensure tone, visuals, and messaging align with organizational guidelines.
• Grant Writing Assistance: Research grant opportunities (federal, state, private foundations). Assist in drafting proposals, budgets, and narratives. Collect data and success stories for grant applications. Review compliance requirements and deadlines.
• Assist with program planning and outreach for father engagement and Men of Color initiatives.
• Support community events, workshops, and family engagement activities.
• Collect and organize data for program evaluation and reporting.
• Collaborate with staff on special projects and initiatives.

Position Details

• Type: Unpaid Internship
• Location: Pontiac, MI (Hybrid options may be available)
• Schedule: Flexible; approximately 6–10 hours per week
• Duration: Semester-based or as agreed

Required Education and Experience

• At the time of internship, must be currently pursuing or holding a degree in fields such as Social Work, Human Services, Education, Child Development, Sociology, Public Policy, or Non-Profit Management.
• Must be actively enrolled in a college or university.
• Must provide a copy of respective academic institution’s Internship Agreement outlining internship objectives and academic instructor’s name and telephone number.

Preferred Education

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in Social Work, Human Services, Child Development, Sociology, Public Policy, Communications, or related fields.

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and maintain cultural sensitivity.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media platforms.
• Familiarity with Canva, Hootsuite, or grant databases (preferred but not required).
• Father Engagement & Cultural Competence: Understanding of family dynamics and ability to work with diverse communities.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal skills; comfortable engaging with families and community partners.
• Organization & Outreach: Ability to assist with event planning, program coordination, and community engagement.
• Technical Skills: Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office and social media platforms.
• Additional Capabilities: Grant writing assistance (research funding opportunities, draft proposal sections, compile supporting materials); social media management (create and schedule posts, monitor engagement, maintain consistent branding). Familiarity with tools like Canva, Hootsuite, or grant databases is a plus.

Benefits

• Gain practical experience in community engagement, program development, and advocacy.
• Build skills in grant writing and social media strategy.
• Network with professionals in social services and public policy.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in fatherhood and child well-being initiatives.

For questions regarding this internship, please contact Samantha Ruhl at RuhlS@michigan.gov.