Overview
The Graduate School has a significant commitment to promote inclusion and equity within Northwestern University, driven primarily through the Office of Diversity & Inclusion’s (ODI) extensive programming. ODI aims to create community, inclusion, and cross-cultural exchange through a number of ways, supported by paid Graduate Student Interns.
The goal of the Graduate Student Internship is to support current graduate students in their aspirations for diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus and in their professional development. This 9- month, paid position will offer mentorship and leadership experience in a variety of areas aligning with the current Office of Diversity & Inclusion portfolio, namely recruitment and retention initiatives.
By incorporating a range of student backgrounds and perspectives, ODI will strengthen our ability to cultivate authentic, inclusive, and relevant programming that resonates with the current graduate student community. This is also an opportunity to provide professional development and leadership support for underrepresented graduate students who resonate with the mission to build and maintain inclusive environments in higher education.
Role & Responsibilities
As a Graduate Intern, graduate students will be supervised by the ODI director as representatives lead programs, events, and initiatives for the calendar year, working closely with the office to collaborate and launch the portfolio.
Each intern is expected to take on at least one ODI program as their focused project for the year, while simultaneously working as a team to support each other and the office on other initiatives.
Potential responsibilities and projects include:
- Serve as lead for the ODI Peer Mentorship Program, creating the curriculum and executing the program with the support of the office.
- Assist ODI staff with recruiting messaging and events, including attending conferences and universities, creating content for recruitment programming, and networking with undergraduates interested in Northwestern research. This will include benchmarking and researching recruitment strategies and how to best leverage Northwestern resources to support diverse and underrepresented applicants as they navigate into graduate school.
- Generate and suggest ideas for monthly cultural celebrations in conjunction with student affinity groups and organizations. Representatives will collaborate with student groups to plan and manage events that offer a safe and inclusive space for cross-cultural exchange and community.
At the end of the quarter Graduate Interns will meet with ODI staff to discuss the ODI projects they executed and individual DEI leadership goals.
Graduate Internship Eligibility
Students from all fields and disciplines are eligible to be a Graduate Intern.
- Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in diversity and inclusion organizations, programs, or initiatives as well as a vested interest in community building and advocacy.
- Applicants must be current doctoral students in good academic standing
- Students must be a rising third year OR must be finished with required program classes and completed all qualifying exams.
- Some experience in planning programs and/or events preferred.
- Past participation in Northwestern student organizations or groups preferred.
- Ability to commit to a minimum of 15-20 hours of work per week.
- Ability to travel to Evanston and Chicago campuses for events.
Stipend
Graduate students will be selected each year for a September 1st – May 31st appointment, requiring a minimum of 15-20 work hours a week. Students will have the option to apply for the position for multiple consecutive years.
Each Graduate Intern will receive a minimum of $8,100 for the 9-month tenure, allotted in a monthly $900 stipend (pre-tax). Additional support will be provided for professional development activities and conference travel. Graduate Intern will also be preferred candidates to be a SROP Graduate Mentor January through August, which results in extended employment over the summer.