Internship Opportunities in Dallas

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps families uprooted by crisis survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC relies on interns to support its work helping these families adjust to a new life in the U.S. Volunteers and Interns form the very backbone of our programs here in the United States. If you have a passion for people, we can help you find your place as an intern at the IRC.

All IRC internships are unpaid, other than mileage reimbursement for select positions.

Marketing Intern

The IRC in Dallas has provided training and assistance to small businesses in their path to establishing themselves in the commercial landscape, in real life, and online. The Marketing Program will provide administrative and direct service support to the program and its clients. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Help our clients establish and build a digital presence through social media, websites, google pages, etc.
Help to promote and market IRC Dallas events and webinars.
Develop a monthly newsletter of the organization’s clients and upcoming trainings.
Create resources for the organization and its clients, such as FAQ sheets and analysis of business opportunities, through analyzing past program data and researching current trends and opportunities.
A good understanding of social media marketing techniques is desired. Social media requires excellent writing, communication, and computer skills.
Develop marketing and outreach materials, and collect success stories.

Development Intern

The Development Staff consists of the "business side" of our nonprofit. We work with recruiting interns, volunteers, donors, and community partners. In addition, we do program analyses to find where there may be gaps in services, to create a unique solution or process. This internship is great for marketing interns, business majors, journalism majors, and nonprofit developers. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Assist in managing and coordinating the volunteer and intern program, including recruitment, onboarding, and engagement.
Support the development and implementation of project plans to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the program.
Conduct research and gather data to identify potential partner organizations, sponsors, and funding opportunities.
Assist in writing program materials, including volunteer and intern guidelines, training materials, and program reports.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth program operations and timely execution of initiatives.
Monitor program performance, evaluate feedback, and propose recommendations for continuous improvement.
Support the organization and coordination of volunteer and intern events, workshops, and training sessions.

Human Resources Intern

The IRC’s Development Team requires a Human Resources intern. With Volunteer and Intern Coordination bringing on anywhere from 20-50 interns a semester, the coordination and collaboration required to bring these individuals includes prospecting, interviewing, offering roles, and onboarding individuals. The HR Intern will work closely with almost 20 different programs on a rotating basis, during which the Intern will support specific projects. Intern responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Assist with conducting external prospecting by overseeing postings and updating candidate profiles.
Work closely with HR functions on completing defined short-term projects
Conduct interviews with prospects
Present or moderate orientations of new interns and volunteers
Contribute to the overall Development Team in presenting findings and success

Humanitarian Data and Engagement Intern

The IRC Dallas has launched the Client Voices Initiative, a program designed to amplify client voices in every aspect of our work. As a Client Voices Intern, you will play a key role in developing foundational processes for this pilot program, directly contributing to its success and long-term vision. Interns can expect tasks such as:

1. Client Feedback Mechanisms:

Conduct client satisfaction surveys with refugee and immigrant populations served by IRC, contributing to achieving participation KPIs (e.g., 50% participation in quarterly surveys).
Collaborate with the Client Voice Coordinator to identify clients’ preferred engagement methods and develop customized feedback tools (e.g., surveys, focus groups).

2. Data Collection and Analysis

Support the development and utilization of an interactive dashboard to track engagement metrics such as satisfaction scores and insights from focus groups.
Assist with accurate data collection, analysis, and disaggregation to inform actionable service improvements, aiming to propose at least three program enhancements by FY25.

3. Client Resources and Communication

Create and update client-facing materials, such as flyers, resource guides, and videos, to support empowerment and awareness of IRC and community services.
Support the publication of semi-annual reports summarizing progress in client engagement, lessons learned, and recommendations for continuous improvement.

4. Client Empowerment Activities

Assist in organizing quarterly empowerment events, including workshops and participatory design sessions, to increase client engagement and a sense of influence in program decisions.
Attend and actively participate in Client Voice meetings and training.

Financial Coaching Intern

The Financial Coaching Intern will work within the Economic Empowerment Program to support the Financial Coaching Program. The Financial Coaching program provides group and 1:1 financial coaching services to clients, including assistance with creating budgets, addressing debt, building credit, increasing savings, accessing loans, opening bank accounts, and more. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Meet with clients to complete enrollment requirements for the Financial Coaching Program.
Work with clients to complete a detailed financial assessment.
Work with clients to create a budget and provide strategies for budget improvements.
Conduct follow-up calls with clients to check in on program progress and ensure accurate and timely recording of data.
Develop plans of action and provide tools, resources, and client accountability to help meet their goals.
Understand other services offered by the IRC, such as employment services and income support counseling, and connect clients to these other services.
Outcome tracking—track the stories and successes of program participants
Willing to learn IRC data management tools and documents used to track the outcome of clients’ progress in an accurate and timely manner.
Works with the Financial Coaching team to ensure that any changes to the client’s financial circumstances (new job, new benefit, change in credit score) are properly documented.

Refugee Career Development Intern

The Career Pathways program promotes economic self-sufficiency for refugees and immigrants with barriers to achieving their career goals by connecting them with training and resources to enable them to move out of low-wage jobs and onto sustainable career paths. By the supervision of the Career Pathways Coordinator, the Career Pathways intern will work with clients to ensure their transition and success into stable jobs. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Job Coaching and Support

Conduct pre-enrollment assessments with potential participants, and build career development plans with strategic direction, detailing actionable and realistic activities.
Provide assistance to help clients prepare their resumes during the training period, look for appropriate job opportunities, and practice interview skills.
Provide individual mentorship on resume writing, interview preparation, job search techniques, and other skills related to career advancement.
Ensure the delivery of group coaching and instruction in advanced work readiness and other employability skills.
Assist participants with networking and help with job application review.
Accompany clients with job preparation activities, interviews, and job site tours, coaching clients so they can attend these events independently in the future.
Collaborate to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through effective communication between team members and departments.

Community Outreach/Engagement

Conduct outreach to clients eligible to enroll in career development programming through a variety of channels.
Assist clients as necessary with post-placement issues and continuing career development needs.
Other duties as assigned

Refugee Economic Security Intern

IRC's resettlement model focuses on the self-sufficiency of our refugee clients. The services program guides clients on their path to economic self-sufficiency through job application support, job search assistance, resume building, job readiness training, and career coaching. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Support refugee clients’ self-sufficiency and employment goals through resume building, providing job readiness training classes, leading public transportation orientations, and assisting with job applications on behalf of clients.
Accurately and promptly submitting case notes and file documentation detailing services they’ve provided.
Support clients directly in overcoming barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
Gain greater insight into the resettlement process for refugees in the Dallas area.

Finance Administrative Assistant Intern

The RCA Admin Assistant collaborates with the program team in IRC’s Dallas office to meet internal administrative needs. They will assist with various administrative duties and client interaction. Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Assist with preparing, scanning, and uploading RCA intake forms.
Assist with RCA case file reviews and case closures.
Assist with contacting RCA clients for follow-up.
Assist with collecting paystubs from RCA clients and completing monthly income verifications.
Assist with completing case notes in IRC Client’s database ETO and TXOR’s database ClientTrack.
Other duties as assigned

Finance Intern

The Finance Intern is to assist the Finance Manager with payment processing, vendor management, data entry, and Federal Match tracking. Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Handle sensitive client information confidentially
Assist Finance Manager in entry and completion of staff time and effort reporting
Assist Finance Manager as required with AR/AP processing
Assist with month-end close
Support the tracking and reporting of Federal Match requirements, including documentation of eligible match contributions
Ensure compliance with grant regulations related to federal matching funds
Collaborate with Finance and program teams to gather, verify, and record in-kind contributions and volunteer hours applicable to match obligations

Child and Youth Advocacy Intern

The Unaccompanied Children Program Intern will assist the Child Protection Caseworker in providing services to immigrant children and their families. The intern will coordinate services to ensure that the children are living in a safe environment and integrating well into their new community. Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Conduct client follow-up assessments.
Map community assets and help make referrals to community partners
Translate documents into Spanish
Maintain client’s case files
Communicate client concerns with IRC staff and coordinate service plan with supervisor.r
Other duties as assigned

Mental Health Intake Specialist Intern

The placement is clinically focused, and interns are expected to engage in direct clinical work with clients. MSW Field Interns learn to work within an evidence-based program service model designed to meet the mental health needs of diverse populations primarily within the local refugee and asylum-seeking community. The MSW Intern is placed on a team with other MSW students, Psychology PhD doctoral candidates, and Psychiatric Residents, along with existing case managers within IRC programming that can provide extended case management support for medical, housing, immigration, employment, and career development services. Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Complete the Clinical Field Placement Mental Health Training Modules, and basic IRC onboarding training before beginning the internship.
Secure interpretation to provide services and information in the client’s language.
Provide clinical care to a caseload of 10-16 clients, with interns expected to spend 50% of their hours on direct client contact.
Assist with scheduling, grant data collection, and client data entry
Maintain comprehensive case notes using the SOAP method
Attend weekly supervision: one hour from the Field Coordinator, and one hour from the Mental Health Program Coordinator, along with one hour of group supervision
Complete one presentation during a weekly team meeting on a mental health-related topic of their choosing.

Food Security Intern

With oversight from the Food Security Coordinator, the Food Security Intern will assist. New Roots staff provides food security and benefits navigation services to newly arrived refugees as they adjust to their new lives in the US. This intern will play a key role in helping refugee families access needed benefits and services as they resettle in the United States. The intern will also perform a series of clerical and administrative duties to ensure client files are kept up to date. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Support in the setup of the food pantry in our office
Perform client intake and collect documents to verify eligibility for the program.
Help in the community gardens, we partner with clearing plots and preparing the space for clients to utilize.
Assist New Roots Specialist in teaching food and nutrition workshops.
Pick up food items from distributors and drop off emergency food deliveries to clients when possible.
Collect eligibility documents and enter data.
Research creative, local resources that help clients become more food secure.
Work with interpreters to get materials translated.
Contribute to overall site maintenance and food production activities.
Assist with harvest and distribution through donation partners and weekly farm stand.
Support Coordinator in organizing work-day activities and support volunteers on site.
Support community engagement and outreach, by updating social media profiles, developing promotional material, and sharing information with local CBOs.
Support educational activities-site.

Legal Team Intern

IRC's core immigration department provides legal services to resettled individuals and other qualified members of the community. This department assists with applying for family reunification, adjustment of status, and citizenship. Interns can expect tasks such as:

Working in person with clients and using translation services.
Assist clients in applying for green cards, and other documentation
Help with general organization around the office.
Interns will have the opportunity to gain greater insight into the resettlement process for refugees in the Dallas area.
Interns will become functioning members of our legal team, and work closely with our refugee population.

IRC Internship Requirements:

A minimum of 15 hours per week for 4 months (3 months in summer). Hours must be completed during normal business hours (i.e. Monday–Friday between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
Enrollment in a Bachelor’s or post-graduate degree program, or pursuing a relevant career.
Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate professionally in a multicultural setting.
An interest in international and refugee issues.
Reliability and flexibility.
A willingness to learn about the diverse ethnic backgrounds of clients and adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies.

Spring Semester: Interviews between October and January with service happening between January and May.

Summer Semester: Interviews between March and May with service happening between May and August.

Fall Semester: Interviews between July and September with service happening between August and December.

The Intern Application Process:

Please apply for an internship by clicking the link here, listing your top three internship positions.
After your application is reviewed, you may be selected for a phone interview.
Next, you may be selected for a department-specific interview. This will take place over Teams or Zoom.
Successful interviewees will be required to pass a background check before a position is confirmed.
If your background check and references are cleared, the volunteer team will work to schedule an intern orientation prior to your start day.

Internship positions are accepted on a rolling basis, and additional opportunities may be available. Due to the high volume of applicants, applications may be stored until opportunities become available. Interns and volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. For additional questions, email VolunteerDallas@rescue.org.

Here are other ways to get involved:

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