Are you a student passionate about making a tangible difference in the world? CARE USA offers exceptional internship programs designed to provide you with invaluable professional experience in the field of international development and humanitarian aid. Our Care Internship Program is meticulously crafted to offer closely supervised, project-based opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students eager to contribute to impactful CARE initiatives. Beyond practical experience, you’ll gain crucial networking opportunities through orientations and training sessions that delve into CARE’s rich history, vision, and diverse programs. Interns are placed domestically at CARE USA Headquarters in Atlanta or at various US field offices, ensuring a range of experiences within the United States.
Domestic Internship Program: Your Starting Point
CARE USA’s domestic internships serve as an excellent entry point into the world of international aid work. These internships are based in the US and provide a foundational understanding of CARE’s operations and global impact.
Eligibility for Domestic Internships
To be eligible for a domestic care internship program with CARE, you must meet the following essential criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be actively enrolled in a relevant undergraduate program (preferably Juniors & Seniors), a graduate program, or a post-graduate academic program. Recent graduates within six months of the posting date are also encouraged to apply.
- International students holding student visas must secure the necessary work authorization from their educational institutions.
How to Apply for Domestic Internships
CARE USA recruits domestic interns during specific periods throughout the year to align with academic semesters:
- Fall Semester Internships: Recruitment typically occurs in August and September.
- Spring Semester Internships: Recruitment typically occurs in November and December.
- Summer Internships: Recruitment typically occurs in April and May.
We encourage interested candidates to regularly visit our Internship/Fellowship Career Site to explore current opportunities and submit their online applications. New postings are consistently updated during the aforementioned recruitment periods. Applicants who are receiving funding support or academic credit for their internship are requested to specify the costs they can personally cover within their applications.
Overseas Internship Program: Global Immersion
For students seeking an immersive international experience, the CARE Overseas Internship Program offers a unique pathway. This program is tailored for students in global development, global health, and related fields, providing invaluable international work experience. The primary goal of this care internship program is to nurture high-potential future leaders in international development and humanitarian assistance through short-term, practical learning experiences. Fellows benefit from networking opportunities and access to professional development training via CARE Academy, CARE’s online university. Our curriculum emphasizes optimal skill development and learning through on-the-job training, coaching, and formal training methodologies.
Placement in CARE Country Offices
The Overseas Internship Program is committed to matching successful applicants with assignments that closely align with their academic backgrounds and stated areas of interest. This matching process is ongoing, and applications are welcomed throughout the year. While most placements occur between June and August, opportunities may arise at other times and can vary in duration.
Important Note: CARE prioritizes intern safety and security, placing interns only in low to moderate-risk locations. Interns sponsored by their universities must provide a letter authorizing travel to their designated location. Prior to commencing their assignment, interns are required to have proof of health and evacuation insurance valid in their placement location (which may be facilitated by CARE) and complete CARE Academy’s online safety & security course. Upon arrival in their host country, interns will receive a comprehensive security briefing from a designated safety and security focal point or manager.
Eligibility for Overseas Internships
To be considered for an overseas care internship program, applicants must satisfy the following essential requirements:
- Secure financial support from an academic institution or another sponsoring agency.
- Possess legal authorization to work within the internship location.
- Independently apply for and obtain the necessary visa for their internship location.
- Be enrolled in a relevant graduate or post-graduate academic program, or have graduated within the last six months.
- Maintain comprehensive medical coverage, including emergency evacuation insurance, for the entire duration of the internship (proof of insurance is mandatory).
- Demonstrate proficiency in the language required for the internship location.
Ideal overseas internship candidates will also possess these desirable qualifications:
- Current enrollment in a graduate program in a field directly relevant to CARE’s mission.
- A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional work experience.
- Exceptional time management, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Outstanding interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
- Proficiency in a second language (French, Spanish, or Portuguese preferred).
- Adaptability and the ability to thrive in diverse, multicultural environments.
- A flexible and team-oriented work approach.
How to Apply for Overseas Internships
To apply for an overseas care internship program, please visit our online Internship/Fellowship Career Site to search for and apply to specific postings.
Application Essentials
All applications must include the following documents:
- A current resume or CV, encompassing the names and contact details of at least three professional references.
- A compelling cover letter clearly articulating the applicant’s specific programmatic and research interests within CARE’s work.
- For applicants interested in writing-intensive assignments, submission of a relevant writing sample is required.
Kindly note that due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive communication within 60 days of your application submission, please consider your application unsuccessful. We appreciate your understanding that we are unable to accommodate phone inquiries regarding internship applications.
