Grassroots PR Internship - Unpaid

If you’re interested in grassroots advocacy, politics, law or public policy, experience is a must.

OKWatchdog, the state's leading consumer and patient advocacy organization, and Oklahomans for Health Care Reform, an affiliated health care advocacy coalition, are looking for three interns throughout the fall 2009 and/or spring 2010 semesters.

During the annual legislative session, which runs from February through May, OKWatchdog has a partnership with The Edmond Sun newspaper to publish regular updates on legislation of interest and legislators' reactions. Interns will help identify, compile and analyze bills for this partnership, which may expand to include additional newspapers.

Throughout the fall and spring, interns will assist with identifying data and information that are relevant to OKWatchdog and Oklahomans for Health Care Reform’s legislative and policy priorities and compile the information into reports, briefing books, press releases, white papers, etc.

Interns will have the opportunity to write press releases and pitch stories to the media. We hope they'll blog as well about consumer and patient issues. Interns will have the opportunity to interact with media, policymakers, the legal community and nonprofit groups. Interns may also help manage OKWatchdog and Oklahomans for Health Care Reform’s online presence (listserv, social media, Web sites).

This job will offer the opportunity to do meaningful work with tangible results. There is no stamp-licking here. It will involve responsibility and the chance to interact with grassroots advocates, the media, elected officials and others with a stake in state government.

We're looking for people who:

• are energetic
• are able to work independently
• appreciate the importance of solid research
• work to understand public policy
• understand the importance of communicating through the media and social networking sites
• are good writers and communicators

Previous outreach, communications, public relations or journalism experience is desirable. Contact Jeff Raymond at (405) 418-2115 or jraymond@okwatchdog.org for more information.

Unfortunately, OKWatchdog is unable to pay interns at this time. We are able to arrange for academic credit.