Economic Development Intern

About the role#

The Economic Development Intern supports the Economic Empowerment program in Silver Spring, Maryland. This role focuses on assisting refugees and asylees in achieving economic self-sufficiency through career development training and financial coaching. This is an unpaid, on-site internship for the Fall 2026 term.

What you'll do#

• Work directly with Employment Specialists and Financial Coaches to implement and monitor performance on the Career Development Program.
• Teach Advanced Job Readiness Trainings, including business writing, networking, interview preparation, and financial literacy.
• Counsel and guide clients through long-term career goals by providing one-on-one job application assistance and resume preparation.
• Assist clients in setting up bank accounts, teaching financial literacy, and navigating loan applications.
• Accompany clients to job preparation activities and interviews.
• Audit employment program files to ensure documentation adheres to program requirements and update databases.
• Advocate for client rights in the labor market by engaging with employers.

What you'll need#

• Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues and workforce development.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team to create and teach trainings.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a professional environment.
• Preferred majors include Human Resources, Business Administration, Sociology, Psychology, International Relations, or Political Science.
• Language skills in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Hindi, or Swahili are considered an asset.

Location & details#

• Location: Silver Spring, MD.
• Term: Fall 2026 (September – December).
• Commitment: Minimum of 20 hours per week; 35+ hours per week preferred.
• Modality: On-site.
• Compensation: This is an unpaid position; interns may be eligible for a $15/day per diem reimbursement for food and travel costs.