Internships at Y-ME Illinois

Y-ME Illinois is currently offering Special Events, Program, and Advocacy internships. These internships are available year-round, are unpaid, and have flexible time commitments. These internships can be tailored to fit the needs and interests of qualified candidates. Interns will have many opportunities depending on the area chosen.

• Program/Outreach Internship
• Advocacy Internship
• Special Events Internship
• Development Internship
• Communications Internship
• Qualifications for Y-ME Illinois Interns
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions or would like to apply for an internship, please send your resume and cover letter to:

Y-ME Illinois
300 W. Adams St. Suite 430
Chicago, IL 60606
illinois@y-me.org
(312) 364-9071
(312) 364-9066 fax

Program/Outreach:

Responsibilities may include:

• Assist with outreach events and activities

• Refer clients/participants to appropriate services and assist clients with accessing those services

• Seek out and develop contacts in underserved communities where Y-ME Illinois offer our services and resources

• Regularly review and disseminate up-to-date research and articles related to target population and breast cancer topics

• Work on compiling and formatting Illinois Breast Cancer Resource Book

Advocacy

• Accompany the Advocacy Coordinator to policy and coalition meetings

• Recruit participants for Annual Advocacy Conference in April-May

• Support the IlliNOISY Advocacy Committee in their various projects and efforts

• Monitor legislation and policy in Illinois that affects the breast cancer community and suggest ways for Y-ME Illinois to advocate for change

Special Events

• Experience and participate in the planning process and execution of an event

• Manage incoming contracts for third party events

• Soliciting in-kind contributions for fundraisers

• Planning and executing recruitment events for Pink Streak, our Chicago LaSalle Bank Marathon fundraising team

• Communicating with donors

• Researching possible grant opportunities

Development

The Development Intern candidate will work with the Director of Development. Responsibilities will include the following:

• Assist with development of direct mail appeals
• Communications/outreach endeavors, including working with local print and electronic media
• Assistance with special events related projects
• Research of prospective funders
• Assist in the development of written proposals and grants
• Creation of correspondence and other written materials
• Answering telephones, taking messages, creating filing and tracking systems and other day-to-day functions of the department

Education Requirements: Course work towards a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably towards a degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, or English.

Experience: Efficient use of the Internet for research purposes; excellent writing and editing skills; strong attention to detail; proficiency in Microsoft Office.

The suggested time commitment is 20-30 hours per week, with scheduling flexibility.

Communications

The Communications Intern will work closely with the staff to help improve our messaging and media contacts.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with developing media lists of the Chicagoland area

• Assist with developing relationships with local media

• Create a master list of supporters, survivors, and volunteers that can be used to represent Y-ME Illinois in the media

• Monitor daily local and national media and create clip reports of stories pertaining to Y-ME Illinois, health care and legislative issues

• Assist with creating and distributing press kits

• Compile a comprehensive Resource Guide listing all relevant community groups, medical providers and services for office reference

• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

• Currently perusing a bachelor’s degree, or a recent graduate, with a focus in non-profit or media relations

• Experience working in a non-profit setting and the desire to learn more about the industry

• Culturally sensitive and able to work efficiently with a diverse groups of people

• Familiar with the Chicagoland media market
  

Qualifications for Y-ME Illinois Interns:

• Willing to develop comprehensive knowledge base of breast cancer issues

• Good communications skills (Bilingual highly preferred for Programs/Outreach)

• Highly organized and able to work independently

• Ability to perform data entry

• Outgoing, flexible and friendly personality to work with people from different cultural background and socioeconomic status

• Ability to work some Saturdays

FAQ's

Thank you for your interest in the Y-ME Illinois internship program.  The following are common frequently asked questions.

1. When would the internship begin?

We accept interns into our office with a "rolling admission" philosophy.  When you would start depends on what your particular interests are. The following departments look for interns during the year:

Programs/Outreach: Year round

Special Events: Year round

Advocacy: January - May

2. What is the length of the internship?

This is flexible - in the past we have had 10-16 week internships.

3. How many hours per week are you asking the intern to work?

8 - 10 hrs/week, though we have had full time (30-35hr/wk) interns work on special projects.

4. Are the hours flexible?

We will try to be as flexible as possible with your schedule and this can be discussed during the interview. 

5. Is this a paid internship?

Unfortunately, no. Y-ME Illinois does offer to help reimburse you for your travel costs to and from the internship.