Summer Intern, E Pluribus Unum: Policy & Government Relations

Overview

Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world. 

Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, undergraduate students graduating in 2026 - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED. 

We’re looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration.

The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10–12. See below for more details.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Opportunity

E Pluribus Unum (EPU) works with leaders and communities across the American South, equipping them with tools, programs, and support to bridge divides and foster connections across differences. The EPU Policy and Government Relations team focuses on building and deepening relationships with elected officials, policymakers, organizations, and other stakeholders in the field to support their efforts to address fairness and opportunity through their official roles. The team also monitors and analyzes equity-focused legislation aligned with EPU’s policy priorities, filed in Southern states, on issues such as health, education, the criminal legal system, democracy and voting, and economic opportunity. 

As a Policy and Government Relations intern, you’ll demonstrate thorough research and detail-oriented writing skills. They will have the opportunity to draft programmatic briefings and issue memos supporting critical interests at EPU. Interns will also develop their administrative and organizational capacities by assisting with key activities for EPU’s programs.

• Support the maintenance of a robust dataset of Southern legislation impacting fairness and opportunity using the PolicyNote software platform.
• Contribute to the legislative and policy updates by providing analysis, summaries, and trend identification.
• Conduct background research on local and state policy landscapes to inform ongoing projects and initiatives.
• Prepare briefings and summaries on policymakers, elected officials, and community leaders prior to engagement meetings.
• Participate in solution-oriented discussions around fairness and opportunity challenges in the South.
• Provide written internal summaries and action items from key meetings and discussions.
• Support general team operations, including coordination of outreach and cross-team collaboration.

• Rising undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior, preferably with an interest in reducing disparities and barriers to advancing equity in Southern communities. Potential majors include, but are not limited to, political science, government, law, history, and sociology.
• Demonstrated interest in nonprofit work, community development, and social impact.
• Strong research and data synthesis skills; ability to gather and analyze information from multiple sources.
• Interest in understanding how local, state, and federal policies shape communities across the South. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills; able to produce concise summaries and reports. 
• Critical thinking and curiosity about how policy can be a tool for advancing fairness and opportunity. 
• Collaborative and flexible approach, with the ability to work across teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Operates with care, curiosity, and a spirit of generosity.
• Thrives in a dynamic environment where new ideas are encouraged and put into action. 

Internship Details

Compensation

- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).

- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.

- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed. 

Key Dates

- November 18 – January 9: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis

Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET on Friday, January 9.

(Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)

- January 12 – March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended

- June 10–12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation

- June 15: Internship program begins

- August 7: Internship program concludes