Communications Intern

Company Information

PEN America seeks a motivated intern to work with our communications team. The intern will help to advance the organization’s literary and advocacy programs and campaigns through media relations, writing, brand-building, social media, public relations, and digital marketing. The candidate will develop skills and gain real-world experience in an exciting, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial environment. This internship will operate primarily in-person, with the option to work a hybrid schedule, from our headquarters in New York City during normal business hours.

Qualifications

• School or work experience in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, multimedia, nonprofits, or publishing and editorial
• Interest in learning new skills and the flexibility to pitch in where needed
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with team members
• Strong writing, grammar, copyediting, and fact-checking skills
• Interest in current events, international affairs, literature, and/or arts and culture
• Understanding of or eagerness to learn about social media, websites, marketing, and public relations
• Experience developing videos for TikTok, either personally or professionally, is a big plus
• Graphic design and HTML skills are desirable but not required

Duties

• Brainstorming and drafting blogs, interviews, and/or reading list pieces for PEN.org in conjunction with larger organizational campaigns and initiatives
• Fact-check, copyedit, and research articles for PEN.org
• Assist with curating items and writing copy for inclusion in organizational newsletters and marketing emails
• Create or adapt visuals for email marketing components of communications campaigns
• Draft social media posts across platforms to support PEN America events, campaigns, and PR efforts
• Monitor social media channels to keep a pulse on breaking news in the literary community and free expression around the world
• Brainstorm ideas and conduct research for new campaigns and initiatives with the opportunity to contribute copy and visual assets
• Source images for PEN.org
• Source or create graphics for use across multiple channels (web, social, etc.)
• Develop and edit dynamic video footage for use on TikTok and Instagram reels
• Organize visual assets across the organization

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume or CV, and writing sample to mjoskow@pen.org. Writing samples include but are not limited to college papers, original essays, stories, and articles that may have been previously published, as long as they have been subject to no more than minimal editing by someone other than yourself. If you have a portfolio showing design and/or video production work, please submit that as well. 
 
Please include the cycle you’re applying for, and your name as the subject of your email (for example, “Summer Communications Internship – Jane Doe”). Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have any questions, please inquire to the email address included above.

Application Deadline

June 30th, 2025