Research Intern

Change Craft, a federally recognized minority-owned small business and certified LGBT Business Enterprise®, is a boutique marketing, PR, and strategic communications firm based in Sacramento, deeply connected to California's political, advocacy, and public health landscapes. We help government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, and mission-driven organizations make a meaningful impact through campaigns that drive change, shift culture, and advance equity. Our leadership team is well-respected by state policymakers, legislative staff, community leaders, and advocacy coalitions, and we regularly collaborate with top-tier marketing and PR firms across the state. Looking to launch your career in research, public health, or social-impact communications? This paid, part-time internship offers hands-on research experience at a mission-driven agency, supporting real campaigns that advance public health, equity, and social change in California. You will earn $20–$25/hour while building your resume, expanding your network, and developing skills in audience research, data collection, survey and focus group support, and research synthesis, alongside adjacent skills in content creation, community outreach, and event planning. This internship is open to current college students and recent graduates in fields such as research, psychology, sociology, communications, marketing, journalism, political science, or public relations, and is designed to prepare you for what comes next. Interning at Change Craft means more than gaining skills; it means gaining access. Interns work alongside professionals who are shaping public narratives and advising decision-makers, while also building a network that spans public affairs, political strategy, health equity, and creative communications. Whether you continue with us or take your next step elsewhere, we are committed to helping you build the relationships and experience that launch your career. The Research Internship at Change Craft offers emerging professionals hands‑on experience in the research work that fuels agency campaigns, from audience research and data collection to synthesis and insight‑gathering. Interns join a collaborative, mission‑driven team working on real‑world campaigns that advance public health, equity, and social change. This role is designed to provide deep exposure to research methods and analysis, while also giving interns broader context across the agency's other core functions in strategic communications. Interns support projects across seven core areas: Research – Conduct research on special populations and public health topics, assist with data collection and research observations, help with recruitment and planning for client research projects that inform public education campaigns, and help synthesize insights that inform campaign strategy Social & Digital Content – Assist in writing, designing, and curating engaging digital content for social media and web platforms, while learning how to measure what works Advocacy – Gain insight into California’s policy landscape by tracking public hearings, contributing to advocacy materials, and supporting policy‑aligned messaging Events – Help coordinate logistics for community events, client meetings, and grassroots activations, from early planning through on‑site support Public Relations & Strategic Communications – Draft copy, support media tracking, and contribute to campaign messaging and outreach strategies Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships – Assist with outreach to local organizations, stakeholders, and community partners to support campaign development and participation Client Services & Project Management – Participate in team meetings, maintain project timelines, and support the internal coordination that keeps agency work on track Interns are supported with regular check‑ins, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to a variety of client projects. Interns will leave this program with real experience, professional connections, and work samples that reflect their contributions to meaningful, high‑impact campaigns. At the end of each six‑month period of the internship, each intern will complete a final project that documents key accomplishments and helps build their professional portfolio. What You’ll Gain Real‑world experience conducting research that shapes public awareness and advocacy campaigns Exposure to research methods and practices used inside a growing PR and marketing agency Opportunities to contribute to projects for high‑profile clients in public health, education, and equity‑based initiatives Mentorship from senior communications professionals Participation in team meetings, brainstorms, and creative sessions A stronger portfolio, resume experience, and letters of recommendation New relationships and an expanded network through exposure to key players in California policy, government, and advocacy spaces New transferable skills, including the use of project management systems, media monitoring, and other technical skills associated with communications agencies Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities Research Conduct desk research to support campaign strategy, competitive analysis, or audience insights Assist in the preparation of research memos, briefing decks, and scan summaries Help coordinate recruitment and outreach for interviews, focus groups, or surveys Participate in research notetaking and support documentation of findings during stakeholder engagements or community sessions Social & Digital Content Support content creation for digital and social platforms, including writing copy, designing graphics, editing photos, and scheduling posts Draft compelling and brand‑aligned copy for social media, newsletters, presentations, and client‑facing materials Capture photos and video content at events, meetings, or shoots for client and internal use Help organize and manage editorial calendars for digital content planning and approvals Track and report on digital metrics such as social media engagement, post performance, and impressions Advocacy Attend public hearings or legislative events at the State Capitol and summarize key takeaways for advocacy‑related clients and campaigns Assist in preparing briefing documents or talking points for policy‑focused initiatives Conduct background research to support advocacy messaging, campaign strategy, or stakeholder education efforts Stay informed on relevant legislative updates or policy developments and share them with internal teams as needed Events Assist in planning logistics for campaign events, client meetings, summits, or workshops Provide on‑site support at Change Craft‑hosted events, including community functions, political fundraisers, and client activations Coordinate event registration, guest communications, name badges, materials, and space setup Support internal and external meeting logistics, including scheduling, agendas, and recap notes Public Relations & Strategic Communications Help draft media outreach materials, press releases, and campaign messaging Support media tracking and monitoring efforts across client accounts Contribute to the development of talking points, fact sheets, and other campaign collateral Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Assist with outreach to local organizations, stakeholders, and community partners Support the coordination of coalition meetings and partner communications Help track engagement activities and partner contact information Client Services & Project Management Participate in internal and client team meetings, taking notes and tracking action items Support the maintenance of project timelines and task lists Assist with internal coordination to keep agency work on track Eligibility Requirements To be eligible, applicants should possess all of the required qualifications below and some of the preferred qualifications. Required Qualifications High school diploma or GED Currently enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year student in a qualifying major at a 2- or 4‑year institution, OR have recently graduated within the past four years with an Associate's or Bachelor's degree Qualifying education fields include Research, Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Advertising, Business, Political Science, Pre‑Law, Public Policy, Media Studies, Strategic Communication, or a related field Able and available to work a minimum of 25 hours per week for at least 6 months Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset Proficiency in social media platforms Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast‑paced environment Strong analytical, research, and problem‑solving abilities Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and/or Google Workspace Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides) Ability to work from an office in Sacramento Preferred Qualifications Fluent in English and Spanish for professional work Proactive and collaborative mindset with a strong desire to learn and grow Experience working with Mac OS devices Experience with events, community engagement, or experiential marketing Professional or lived experience working on communications campaigns or local engagement efforts with one or more communities served by our clients' public health initiatives, such as LGBTQ+, parents and children, Black/African American, Latino, Native American, Asian Pacific Islander American, or other historically marginalized communities prioritized by California public health outreach At least a beginner level of proficiency in graphic design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite Other Details This is a temporary, part‑time, paid position Interns are not eligible for company‑sponsored benefits (e.g., health, dental, vision) Interns will receive formal onboarding, weekly check‑ins, and a midpoint and final evaluation Final Project To cap off each six‑month internship term, all interns will complete a final project designed to reflect their learning, showcase their work, and strengthen their portfolio for future career opportunities. This project ensures that each intern walks away with something tangible and personalized to their experience. Each final project includes: A written reflection (2–4 pages) summarizing the intern’s experience, lessons learned, and contributions made A deliverable or work product based on a core area of their internship, such as a campaign recap or performance report, a sample social media calendar or portfolio of creative work, a stakeholder engagement summary, a research brief or content strategy memo, or a project tracker or event planning template A 10‑minute oral presentation (approximately 10–15 slides) featuring the intern’s key project, process, findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for moving forward Interns will present their final project to a small group of Change Craft team members in their final week. This helps build presentation skills and gives interns a valuable artifact for future interviews, job applications, or course credit. Final projects also serve as a useful record of the intern’s contribution to Change Craft’s mission and work. #J-18808-Ljbffr