Center for Public Interest - Unpaid Internships

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit health-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on nutrition and food safety. CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter, the nation's largest‑circulation nutrition newsletter. CSPI provides valuable, objective information to the public, represents citizens' interests before governmental bodies, and serves as a watchdog over industry. CSPI is supported by the subscribers to Nutrition Action, donors, and foundation grants.

CSPI offers unpaid internships on a full-time and part-time basis each summer and during the school year. We provide a collegial work environment and flexible schedule to accommodate intern academic responsibilities and work-life balance. If the intern’s school offers academic credit for internships, we will work with the intern to meet his or her school’s requirements. We also reimburse interns up to $5/day for commuting expenses.

We currently have summer internships available in each of the following projects.

Health Promotion Policy

The Health Promotion Policy Project advocates for health promotion and prevention of disease at the local, state and federal levels, encourages the food industry to improve their products and practices, and engages health professionals, academics, and concerned citizens in supporting our efforts. In particular, Health Promotion Policy is working with advocates at the federal and state/local levels on policies to reduce sugary drink consumption (such as soda taxes and warning labels) and to reduce sodium in the food supply. Interest and experience in advocacy research, organizing and lobbying are a plus.

Litigation

The Litigation Project uses state and federal courts to help correct corporate misbehavior. The project brings its own advocacy lawsuits, working with private lawyers across the country. CSPI's legal filings have produced binding settlements resulting in more honest labeling of artificial ingredients and halting deceptive marketing. Many of the legal matters in these cases are developing issues with many interesting questions of both law and social policy. We are considering applications from first and second year law students. Applicants should have a strong interest in consumer and regulatory law, excellent legal research and writing skills, a commitment to public interest work, and must submit a legal writing sample.

Nutrition Action Healthletter

CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter (NAH), the nation’s largest circulation nutrition newsletter. Interns assist with a variety of research and writing projects, especially helping to prepare material for the nutritionaction.com website and social media. Applicants should have strong research and writing skills. A background in nutrition or journalism is preferred.

Nutrition Policy

This project covers hot topics related to nutrition and health policies. Current issues include school foods, food additives, food marketing to children, obesity prevention, and getting junk food out of retail checkout aisles. Projects may involve research for policy analysis and development, tracking legislation and regulations, grassroots organizing to support state and local policy, and assisting in federal policy advocacy. Applicants should have a strong college-level science, public policy or law background and must submit a writing sample.

Regulatory Affairs & Food Additives

This opening is for bright, hardworking law, and policy/science graduate-level, students, to work on food additives and government oversight of the food supply. The work involves legislative analysis and regulatory filings as well as research and advocacy related to corporate practices. Projects may involve conducting research for policy analysis and development, tracking regulation and legislation, and assisting with ongoing policy advocacy. Applicants should have a strong background in public interest advocacy and must submit a non-technical writing sample (i.e., not a legal memo) as part of their application.

Application materials should include the following:

1. A cover letter indicating issues of interest, future plans, and dates of availability.

2. A résumé. Experience with advocacy groups is advantageous.

3. Writing sample, if required by the specific project (one-to-three-page document that demonstrates your ability to write in a clear and concise manner).

Email application materials to: hr@cspinet.org and include department preference in subject line.

University of Missouri, Department of Rural Sociology

The Department of Rural Sociology at the University of Missouri is recruiting for two graduate assistantships to begin fall term 2017. Students interested in addressing critical challenges of the 21st century – including preserving our natural resources, providing safe and nutritious food for an expanding population, adapting to climate changes, and maintaining sustainable rural livelihoods – are encouraged to apply.  The Department maintains active research and extension projects in food security, farmer adaptation to climate change, inclusion and diversity in rural areas, local food systems, natural resource-based communities and international development. 

 The two assistantships can be available at either masters or PhD level, depending on the student’s background and education. The goal of the Ph.D. program is to provide the next generation of rural sociologists with academic and professional skills and credentials relevant to critical issues of sustainable development, defined as development that is socially equitable, economically viable and environmentally responsible. Students completing a Master of Science in Rural Sociology are prepared for positions in the public and private sectors in the areas of community development, policy analysis and/or community leadership and facilitation. 

To find out more about these assistantships, contact Jere Gilles, Director of Graduate Studies (gillesj@missouri.edu). To find out more about the Department’s faculty and research interests or to apply for admittance to the program explore the website at http://dass.missouri.edu/ruralsoc. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis, but to be considered for assistantships students must apply by March 1, 2017.”