YWCA Internships

The YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley welcomes students and recent graduates who are interested in internships. Whether your field of study is in Business, Communications, Education, Health Professions, Humanities & Languages, Social Sciences or General Studies- we have opportunities for you!

For all internship inquiries, please contact Ally Johnson, Community Engagement Manager, at aejohnson@ywcaknox.com.

General internship applications are available here.

Current Internship Opportunities

Communications and Public Relations Intern

Department: Development

Position: Development Intern (Unpaid)

Term: Fall, spring, and summer internships available

Hours Per Week: Approximately 10+

Qualifications:

  • Student with a major in Public Relations, Communications, Business, or related field preferred
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Candidate must:
    • work well in a deadline-oriented environment
    • have strong organizational and problem-solving skills
    • have very good attention to detail
    • be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
    • have excellent computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Word and Excel;
    • have ability and willingness to learn how to use donor management software
  • Passion for nonprofits is a plus!

Tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Assist in donor relations efforts
  • Assist with YWCA social networking sites (writing copy, monitoring, and analyzing)
  • Administer donor database and tax form process
  • Produce monthly media insight reports
  • Assist with writing copy for monthly e-newsletter, marketing materials, and press  releases
  • Help research and develop strategic marketing plans to advance YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley brand

Other Details: The internship program at YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley is designed to allow a student to enrich their classroom experience through participation in various areas of public relations, media and branding-related activities and projects.

YWCA internships are available each semester, with a focus on photography, earned media, media relations, social media, and non-profit brand development.

Students will get hands on experience in the non-profit industry, including community and donor relations, pre- and post-event publicity, campaign coordination, and content collection and distribution across traditional and new media. Students will learn to work independently as well as alongside industry leaders to gather content in the form of photographs and video for future inclusion in branding materials and media kits. Students will additionally assist in copywriting, drafting of press releases, and social media copy creation. Currently, YWCA will invite one student per semester to participate in our internship program.

Supervised by: Director of Public Relations, Karlyn Reel

Additional Information:  Flexible scheduling available M-F between normal business hours. Must pass a background check and be formally hired by HR.

Victim Advocacy Program Support Group Childcare

Department: Victim Advocacy Program

Position: Support Group Childcare Intern (Unpaid)

Term: Internships available year round

Hours Per Week: 3-6

Qualifications:

  • High interest in helping youth
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Community/Organization focus

Tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Assist with childcare of support group clients’ youth
  • Interest in youth wellness and education
  • Available to assist a minimum of two support group sessions per week

Supervised by: Support Group Victim Advocate and Community Engagement Manager, Ally Johnson

Additional Information: Must pass a background check and be formally hired by HR.

Development Intern

Department: Development

Position: Development Intern (Unpaid)

Term: Fall, spring, and summer internships available

Hours Per Week: Approximately 10+

Qualifications:

  • Student with a major in Public Relations, Communications, Business, Social Work, or related field preferred
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Candidate must:
    • work well in a deadline-oriented environment;
    • have strong organizational, analytical, and planning skills
    • communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
    • have excellent computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Word and Excel;
    • have an ability and willingness to learn how to use donor management software;
    • and be able to handle confidential information in an ethical manner, ensuring donor privacy
  • Candidates with experience using WordPress and Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop strongly encouraged to apply
  • Passion for nonprofits is a plus!

Tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Assist in management of system for donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
    • Documentation of donor activities
  • Support development team in special event execution, including planning, development, and day-of logistics
  • Maintain updated event and sponsorship opportunities on YWCA website
  • Additional tasks as needed, including maintenance and auditing of donor files

Supervised by: Director of Development, Rachel Haverkamp

Additional Information:  Flexible scheduling available M-F between normal business hours. Must pass a background check and be formally hired by HR.

Phyllis Wheatley Center Youth Counselor Intern

Department: YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center

Position: Youth Counselor Intern (Unpaid)

Term: August- May preferred, summer internships also available

Hours Per Week: 3-10

Qualifications:

  • High interest in helping develop youth
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Community/Organization focus

Tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Assist with afterschool program tutoring in Math and English for middle and high school youth
  • Help with monthly data collection and tracking.
  • Create innovative lesson plans for afterschool enrichment.
  • Able to work in a fast pace environment and with a diverse group.
  • Be fair and impartial to all students.
  • Research and help develop program best practices and strategies for extended learning.

Supervised by: Director of YWCA-Phyllis Wheatley Center, Kathy Mack

Additional Information: Must pass a background check and be formally hired by HR.

Phyllis Wheatley Center ReCAb Intern

Department: YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center

Position: ReCAb (Reducing Chronic Absenteeism) Support Intern (Unpaid)

Term: August- May preferred, summer internships also available

Hours Per Week: 3-10

Qualifications:

  • High interest in helping develop youth
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Community/Organization focus

Tasks include but are not limited to:

  • Assist with afterschool program tutoring in Math and English for middle and high school youth
  • Help with monthly data collection and tracking.
  • Enjoys Community Outreach and Research
  • Able to work in a fast pace environment and with a diverse group.
  • Be fair and impartial to all students.
  • Research and help develop program best practices and strategies for reduction of Chronic Absenteeism

Supervised by: Director of YWCA-Phyllis Wheatley Center, Kathy Mack

Additional Information: Must pass a background check and be formally hired by HR.