How to become an intern in Abilene

The IRC’s 26 US offices offer a variety of unpaid internship opportunities throughout the year. Prospective interns must go through the volunteer process and should be currently enrolled in an educational institution or a recent graduate. For more information, contact [email protected].

REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum commitment of 15 hours during the work week (Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30) for 4 months;
• Enrollment in a Bachelor’s or post-graduate degree program OR pursuing a relevant career direction;
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate professionally in a multicultural setting;
• An interest in international and refugee issues;
• Reliability and flexibility; and
• A willingness to learn about the diverse ethnic backgrounds of clients; and adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies.

To become an intern:

1. Learn about the work of the IRC in Abilene by attending an information session. This step is required. Applications for those who attended the information session will be prioritized.
2. Send your inquiry to [email protected] in Abilene.
3. Submit your application online here.**Please keep in mind that our online application system is new. Most sections will only take up to 50 characters. Anything more than 50 characters and the application will not save. Uploading your resume and/or cover letter will ensure that no information is missed. Thank you for your understanding.
4. Your materials will be reviewed and screened to determine qualifications and eligibility.
5. If selected for a phone interview, you will be called. 
6. If selected for an in person interview, you will be contacted.
7. Successful interviews are proceeded by a background check. Your volunteer or intern placement will only be confirmed after your background check and references are cleared. The IRC in Dallas respectfully requests that you give a minimum of $45 to help offset the cost of your background check.
8. Schedule your first day with the volunteer coordinator after your placement is confirmed. All Interns and mentors must attend an orientation.

We hope to see you soon!

Current opportunities:

• Immigration Intern: Assist clients with applying for greencards, US Citizenship, family reunification, etc.  
• Employment Intern: Assist employment department with job interviews, applications, employment workshops, job searches, Citylink orientations, etc. 
• R&P Intern: Assist Resettlement case workers with appointments, children enroll in school, filing, setting up apartments, etc. Helps refugees with their basic needs in their first few months of resettlement.
• Health & Wellness Intern: Assist H&W case workers with medical appointments, filing, documentation, emergency needs, etc. 
• Volunteer & Outreach Intern: Assist the IRC in Abilene in planning and conducting development efforts; building volunteer networks; soliciting, collecting, managing, and tracking donations; and assisting with advocacy for refugees and public education about refugees and IRC. 
• Reception Intern: Assisting with answering the phones, filing, and managing daily office tasks. 
• New Roots Intern: Assisting IRC staff with managing various community gardens and assisting gardeners with daily tasks. Some weekend work may be required.
• Volunteer Interpreter: Help by providing interpretation during home visits, meetings, workshops and employer orientations. Current languages needed are Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Nepali, and Spanish. 
• Other opportunities include: Civics/English teaching support, drivers, volunteer support, and donation drives.