Writing Intern

About the role

Cartwheel is an early-stage startup building technology-enabled mental health services that put schools at the center. We see our role as supporting both families and the on-campus school staff who see kids every day. This means:

• Earlier intervention
• Higher student and family engagement in care
• Better coordination among the trusted adults in a student’s life

Responsibilities

You’ll write a piece of the proposals, draft a section of a statewide RFP response or sole-source justification package, turn a rough summary of outcomes data or an implementation story into a page or two of clear, compelling prose, write for a policymaker, and help build out a piece of the team's reusable content library.

Requirements

The best candidate for this role may not have a background in government contracting. You’re someone who learned to write by writing. You know how to make complex ideas clear, how to build a narrative arc, and how to write for an audience that doesn’t share your vocabulary. You care about the craft and you want to point it at something that matters.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a strong journalism or writing program, or equivalent independent experience — able to take on individual writing projects (typically 10–30 hours each) on a rolling basis throughout the term
• Strong raw writing talent, demonstrated through a portfolio of published writing (student newspaper, campus publication, journalism coursework, internship clips, or independent writing) that shows clear, narrative-driven storytelling for a general audience
• Experience writing for or communicating with audiences that are busy, skeptical, and not experts in your subject area
• Sharp editorial instincts: You can look at a piece of writing and tell what’s missing, what’s bloated, and what’s buried
• Coachable and eager to learn quickly in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with multiple concurrent deliverables; developing strong self-editing instincts
• Genuine interest in youth mental health, education, or public policy — you don't need deep domain expertise on day one, but you need to care enough to build it quickly
• Open to flexible work arrangements, including hourly, project-based, or fellowship-style

Skills

• Experience writing government-facing content: RFP responses, grant proposals, legislative briefings, policy documents, or equivalent
• Familiarity with K–12 education, school-based mental health, or pediatric behavioral health
• Familiarity with state-level Medicaid, RHTP, or education funding mechanisms
• Experience supporting government affairs, public affairs, or policy teams in a growth-stage company
• Experience building or managing a content or asset library for a sales or partnerships team
• Prior work in healthcare technology, edtech, or mission-driven organizations

Benefits

Cartwheel is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diverse backgrounds and perspectives and an inclusive work environment. We're committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, or veteran status. We participate in E-Verify. Please be prepared to provide acceptable documentation to verify your identity and work authorization

Pay

Paid per project, typically $500–$2,000 depending on scope and complexity (roughly 10–30 hours of work)

Schedule

Remote