Internship Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in an Internship with the Center! We are seeking motivated applicants with an interest in positive sexuality and excellent communication skills.

  • CPS Intern Applications will be reviewed by the Internship Director. All intern positions are non-paid volunteer positions. Due to current circumstances, ALL intern positions are online and remote until further notice.
  • All internships require a minimum of 120 hours to be completed over a minimum of 12 weeks.
  • Prospective Interns are required to attend an initial Zoom interview with the Internship Director or other qualified interviewer prior to admission to the Internship Program.
  • If you are accepted into the program, you must attend and complete Orientation before your internship can begin. Please see the dates below and select an orientation accordingly. If none of the dates work for you, please reach out to us.
  • Intern applicants interested in obtaining course credit must include their university or college requirements for receiving said credit upon application.

**Note: We accept applications for interships year-round. See below for deadline for Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions.

Once accepted into the program, it is the intern’s responsibility to keep in contact with their designated supervisor, confirm the number of hours per week they will be performing tasks, and keep a detailed log of their hours and completed tasks. These logs will be used to determine the completion of an internship.

At the end of the internship, the intern’s supervisor and the intern will be required to complete an evaluation based on the internship. After evaluation, the intern may receive a certificate of completion.

For more information or questions, email internship@positivesexuality.org

To set an appointment to meet with the Internship Director, please use: https://calendly.com/john-kwy/chit-chat

 

Center for Positive Sexuality offers internships in our Research, Education, and Administrative departments as well as internships within Marketing & Development and Outreach & Events.

Internship Sessions and Deadlines
  • Spring session, including practicum, runs February 1 to May 31. Deadline to apply is December 1.
  • Summer session (no practicum) runs June 1 to August 31. Deadline to apply is April 1.
  • Fall session, including practicum, runs September 1 to December 31. Deadline to apply is July 1.
  • All internship types are available during Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions, depending upon the needs of the various departments.
  • Session beginning and end dates are approximate and may vary based on specific intern projects and requirements.
Internship Details
  • Intern positions are unpaid volunteer positions.
  • Due to current circumstances, ALL intern positions are online and remote until further notice.
  • Internships require a minimum of 120 hours to be completed over a minimum of 12 weeks.
  • All Fall and Spring interns participate in the practicum that covers the 8 Dimensions of Positive Sexuality. The practicum is 14 weeks long and alternates between a biweekly speaker via Zoom and a biweekly written assignment. Hours spent on the practicum can be counted toward total internship hours. (Practicum is not offered during Summer session.)
  • Interns interested in obtaining course credit must include their university or college requirements for receiving said credit in their application.
Application Process
  • Step 1: Apply. All applications will be reviewed by the Director of Internships.
  • Step 2: Interview. Approximately one month after the application deadline, select applicants will be invited to interview for an available intern position.
  • Step 3: Acceptance. Approximately one month before the start of the session, interviewees will be notified about acceptance.
  • Step 4: Orientation. Interns must attend and complete Orientation before the internship can begin. Live video orientation dates for this year are listed below.
  • Step 5: Sign the Agreement. Meet with your internship supervisor and complete the Internship Agreement.
  • Step 6: Be an intern! Work on your project, participate in the practicum, communicate with your supervisor, report your hours, and fill in the monthly check-in forms.
  • Step 7: Wrap it up. Complete your project, turn in the final evaluation, receive your practicum grade, and earn your certificate of completion.
Volunteer/Intern Orientation Dates

4th Sunday of the month, 12 PM PT: January, March, May, July, September.

2023 Orientation Dates are as follows: Jan 22, Mar 26, May 28, July 23, Sep 24. Other dates may become available as needed.

*Please attend the Orientation nearest your start date.

Internship Types

Administration Internship

During this internship, the intern will gain a first-hand understanding of how a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization works. They will be required to virtually attend all board meetings scheduled during their internship. It is recommended that they attend at least one Development Committee meeting during their internship.

They will be responsible for administrative tasks such as website design, survey data collating, event venue research, accounting, and/or other administrative assistant duties. Depending on their given task, the intern may be responsible for a task force of volunteers. The intern may be required to work with our Executive Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media Coordinator, and/or other board members.

By the end of the internship, we expect the intern to have completed one of the following:

  1. Propose at least one fundraising plan to the Board of Directors
  2. Work with a group, task force, or committee to complete a current fundraising or event plan
  3. Complete at least three of the following tasks:
    Mock budget, Event venue research, Item Sponsor research, Monetary Sponsor research, Website updating, Social Media ad copy, Survey data collation

Qualifications:

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Programs, Google Suite, and Zoom
  • Ability to work with diverse groups or on solo projects
  • Ability to lead groups and assign tasks
  • Ability to adhere to strict deadlines
Education Internship

The Education Department of CPS is focused on the interdepartmental synthesis and dissemination of sex-positive knowledge. Education internships may work “in-house” with content creation and project updates from various departments, and may concurrently attend panels to become a CPS educator.

Those with course creation, professional development training, and content management are encouraged to apply!

If you are interested in only becoming an educator, consider volunteering in the Education Department.

During this internship the intern will have the opportunity to gain educational public speaking experience, create educational material, and learn how to become a lead presenter. The intern will be able to go through our standard presenter training and moderator training for a variety of sexuality-based presentations.

By the end of the internship, we expect the intern to have completed the following:

  1. Create, update, and/or complete reference materials assigned on a project-by-project basis
  2. Revise and update a current presentation
  3. Create a new presentation not currently offered
  4. Present / Observe at least three presentations
  5. Moderate at least one presentation

*Presentations and presentation topics are subject to submitted requests.

Qualifications:

  • Ability to verbally communicate clearly and concisely
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, and Zoom
  • Ability to work well in diverse groups
  • (Recommended) Course creation experience, professional development training, and/or content management experience.
Marketing & Development (Fundraising) Internship

During this internship, the intern will gain hands-on understanding and experience developing and implementing marketing for an established 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. They will be required to virtually attend all board and development committee meetings scheduled during their internship. They should be prepared to complete at least one marketing proposal to be given to the development team and possibly the board of directors.

They will be responsible for tasks such as targeting specific audiences, designing strategies for marketing programs and services, assisting with ongoing strategies, projecting trends, providing data to support new or current programs and services, contacting potential corporate entities for sponsorships, and/or other marketing and development duties. Depending on their given task, the intern may be responsible for a task force of volunteers. The intern may be required to work with our Executive Director, Development Committee, Treasurer, Secretary, Social Media Coordinator, and/or other board members and volunteers.

By the end of the internship, we expect the intern to have completed one of the following:

  1. Marketing and/or Development proposal of a specific program or service
  2. Strategic Plan development or revision notes
  3. Trend projections on specific existing or new programs
  4. Marketing Strategy for targeting new or existing audiences
  5. Proposing a plan for targeting a specific corporate entity for sponsorship potential

Qualifications:

  • Background in business management or related field (can be a current undergraduate or graduate degree student)
  • Strong writing and communication skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, and Zoom
  • Ability to work with diverse groups or on solo projects
  • Ability to lead groups and assign tasks
  • Ability to adhere to strict deadlines
Outreach & Events Internship

During this internship, the intern will learn about the two outreach branches and assist with the various projects this department has for the current school year or upcoming events.  Interns will learn the importance of connecting with community members, businesses, individuals, and other relevant organizations regarding event planning and execution.  They will be responsible for taking on at least one project within the department or creating an event of their choosing.

If applicable to the intern’s location, the intern will assist with outreach events and learn how to connect with others, and advocate for causes they are passionate about.

By the end of the internship, we expect the intern to have completed one of the following:

  1. Plan and/or coordinate a major event
  2. Participate in and/or lead an event
  3. Table or participate in a minimum of two (2) outreach events

*Other projects may be assigned depending on availability during the internship.

Qualifications:

  • Outgoing, enthusiastic, and able to communicate
  • Organized, reliable, and goal-oriented
  • Creative, imaginative, and innovative in event planning
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs
  • Ability to work with diverse groups or on solo projects
  • Ability to adhere to strict deadlines
  • (Preferred) Flexible schedule
Research Assistant Internship

Are you interested in doing academic research on positive sexuality? We are looking for motivated interns to assist our Research Affiliates on their projects! Our research affiliates are typically professors or advanced graduate students pursuing scholarly research and community advocacy projects. General areas of research include sexual identity, sex work, non-monogamy and polyamory, and kink/BDSM. 

All research interns gain a greater insight into the world of sex-positive academic research by contributing to active research projects. Interns also occasionally have the opportunity to collaborate on and co-author a peer-reviewed publication. This is a particularly great experience for students who plan to pursue a research-based graduate degree or professional work in policy and advocacy.

By the end of the internship, we expect the intern to have completed at least one of the following:

  1. Conduct a literature review for an academic article or policy paper
  2. Perform quantitative or qualitative data collection and/or analysis
  3. Draft sections for an upcoming publication
  4. Disperse findings from recent research to communities or decision-makers (e.g. article or blog post)

 

Qualifications:

  • Willingness to conduct and write sex-positive research
  • Excels in reading and writing comprehension
  • Self-motivated and goal-oriented
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, Google Suite, and Zoom
  • Stable internet connection for online collaboration
  • Maintain timely and consistent communication with research affiliates and CPS staff

It’s also great if you have:

  • Research skill experience – literature review, qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis, interviewing, academic writing
  • A background in Women’s, Gender, or Sexuality Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Public Health, or related fields

Questions? Email us at internship@positivesexuality.org

 

Working with CPS Research Interns has been, and continues to be, such a pleasure!  All three Interns I have worked with so far have been bright, motivated, and professional and CPS has done a great job matching me with Interns whose interests and skills are a good fit for my work.  As an independent researcher I have been excited to see how working with CPS Research Interns has accelerated my research and also provided me with fulfilling opportunities for mentorship.

Ryan Witherspoon, PhD

Research Affiliate

The internship programme has been an amazing opportunity to work with colleagues globally and develop interesting collaborations, leading to journal submissions (and hopefully publications!). I've been able to provide opportunities for interns to engage in research in my topic areas, which have led to unique projects developing. It's also provided an opportunity for me to develop as a mentor and see different working styles.

LIam Wignall, PhD

Research Affiliate, JPS Associate Editor

Working with a research intern from the Center for Positive Sexuality has been a fantastic experience. The intern has been eager, well prepared, and creative -- and has contributed greatly to the success of my research project!

Jeremy Thomas, PhD

Research Affiliate, JPS Editor

There have been so many bright students and interns who have come across through Outreach that are more than eager to help with our mission and work on projects to continue reaching schools and local community organizations and strengthening Outreach as a branch.  I am not surprised to hear the fantastic ways they impact the world using positive sexuality when coming back for referrals.

Julia Schiffman, MSW

Outreach Coordinator, Board Member

Volunteer/Intern Orientations are currently scheduled for the following*:

4th Sunday of the month, 12 p.m. PT: January, March, May, July, September

2023 Orientation Dates are as follows: Jan 22, Mar 26, May 28, July 23, Sep 24. Other dates may become available as needed.

*Please do your best to attend the Orientation nearest your start date.