ISW is offering internships for Summer and Fall 2024.
Check out ISW’s Internship Virtual Flyer
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Iran’s proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in National Security & Intelligence Analysis and in non-profit management, including Business Development and Editorial.
Why Work for ISW?
ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policy-makers and warfighters.
Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.
The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.
Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship:
ISW uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to improve research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. Interns will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, data visualization, and Python coding skills to help refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools. This internship provides practical hands-on experience using GIS in national security and intelligence applications. Interns will support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps. Interns may also have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space. Interns will receive further training on some of these platforms. ISW’s roster of technology partners includes Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, Linkurious, Microsoft, Sayari Analytics, BlackSky, and Semantic AI, among many others. This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field;
- Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills;
- Candidates must possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri’s ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online. Experience with QGIS or Google Earth is a plus. Experience with a programming language such as Python, JavaScript, or HTML; or web development experience with HTML or JavaScript is a plus.
- Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner;
- Candidates should be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment;
- Candidates will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East;
- Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.
Instructions: Please upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Your cover letter and writing sample should be no longer than five pages combined; the writing sample can be excerpted from a longer paper.
ISW hires intern on a rolling basis—the sooner you submit your application, the greater your chances for an interview! The application deadline is Friday, April 19th. If the summer is not doable, we also offer internships in the fall. Please follow ISW social media for Fall 2024 application announcements.
ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
Questions? Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.
Posting note: The College of Behavioral & Social Sciences makes no representations or guarantees about positions posted. Additionally, BSOS does not endorse any Employer, nor makes representations or guarantees about positions posted. We conduct a minimum level of due diligence on the employers and positions, however, we are not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or any other aspect of employment. Students are urged to perform due diligence in researching employers when applying for or accepting private, off-campus employment.
