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Internships

Developing students who are excited to lead social change around gender issues.

Our goal is to work with students to promote a campus culture that ensures the full participation and agency of female identified students at Duke and to nurture social justice oriented global citizens.

The internship program prepares and supports students to shape the work of the DUWC through the creation of campus programming and initiatives. Through program specific tracks, students have the opportunity to develop specialized skills and knowledge, as well as general professional competencies that are applicable to any work environment. Interns can expect to emerge from the program with more confidence, knowledge, and skills to engage in activist and advocacy work to effectively address and end gender violence and inequity.

Interns are paid, and expected to work 6‑8 hours a week, including meetings and trainings.

Interns can expect to experience the following:

  1. Orientation Retreat & Training: All paraprofessional staff receive initial training that orients them to a framework that incorporates feminist and womanist theory/ethics and basic training to work at DUWC. Throughout the course of the year, students are trained and challenged in how to practically apply these theoretical frameworks toward affecting positive change on a college campus.
  2. Supervision: Each student is assigned a supervisor to monitor and support personal and professional development over the course of the year. Through regular meetings, the supervisor will work with the student to create and complete a work plan that will outline work and relevant personal objectives for each semester.
  1. Meetings: Students will have regular meetings to share experiences and strategize on work and campus related concerns.
  2. Evaluation: Using work plan and other leadership measures, paraprofessional staff will be formally assessed by DUWC staff at the mid-­‐‑year point and at the end of the year.
  3. DUWC Events: Over the course of the year events paraprofessional staff will be expected to be fully engaged and participatory in DUWC events initiated by senior staff.

Students must be very reliable, engaging and able to facilitate meaningful discussions with their peers on challenging topics. Students must be available for weekly evening and weekend trainings at on‑campus locations.

Internship Details

Available Positions

We have two Women's Leadership Intern positions available. See below for details and job description. We are accepting both work study and non work study applicants for this position. 

Women’s Leadership Intern

The Women’s Leadership Intern will assist in event planning and execution, particularly those events which have traditionally had a stronger student-led presence including tabling and Wind Down Wednesdays (WDWs). In this position, student’s will strengthen their leadership and organizational skills by coordinating small events, establishing and maintaining connections with affiliate student groups on campus, and generating big picture ideas to further grow the Women’s Center’s presence among the Duke student body. The student in this position must be available for weekly evening and weekend experiences when necessary at on-campus locations. The student in this position must be available for weekly evening and weekend experiences when necessary at on-campus locations.

Some Responsibilities:

  • Organize, facilitate, and attend WDW and tabling events = expectations: 1-2 WDW per month, 2-3 tabling per semester
  • Maintain relationships with student groups such as Progress Period, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, DuArts, and others
  • Work with the Social Media Intern to table and staff WC events, including evening and after-hours programming like Wind Down Wednesday

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but not as part of the paid internship program. Students who are interested in being involved in the Women’s Center but are only here for one semester may choose to engage one or more of the program areas (see website) or participate in other DUWC programming. Being present in the Women Center’s space is an excellent way to become more familiar with the center before applying to an intern position.

No. Based on student participation in their first year, participants may be invited to participate in a second year. Those who are not invited back are encouraged to be involved in the Women’s Center by engaging in other programming and are invited to collaborate in discussions and student groups affiliated with the Center.

Yes! All interested students are invited to apply as long as you can commit to the entire year.

Yes. Please let us know during the application process if you want to use this for your work‑study placement.

Yes. Paraprofessional staff will be paid at a rate of $9.00/hour and are expected to work 6 to 8 hours per week. Two hours per week must be performed within the Center. Paraprofessional staff are additionally expected to attend a minimum of two DUWC events per semester.

All applicants must be able to commit one full year to the program. Any students planning on studying abroad or graduating early should not apply. Applicants must be undergraduate students.  Paraprofessional staff are expected to work 6-8 hours per week, with two mandatory hours physically in the Center.

Students should apply to the position that is most appropriate to their skills and interests. Applicants should apply for the position on JobX. Under open applicants, search for "women" and the relevant job application should appear. The resume should include past and current relevant work/volunteer experience, and a description of extracurricular activities. The cover letter should include desired position, reason for interest in the internship, and an explanation of the skills and experience that makes applicants the best match for the position.