Intern with OCO
and help us build an Oregon where all children thrive
An Opportunity Helping to Make a Better Oregon
Our Children Oregon’s Equity in Policy and Advocacy Program provides an internship or fellowship experience for students and individuals interested in child advocacy and targeted universalism. Undergraduate and graduate students contribute over one or multiple seasons to advance our mission while developing essential skills that support their career paths and personal interests.
Now is the time to reimagine the world we want to live in and make it real with each decision we make. Our shared prosperity will depend on our ability to create access to opportunities for our young people to develop and learn, OCO’s Equity in Policy and Advocacy Program is one such opportunity.
What to Expect as an Intern or Fellow
- A paid internship to obtain academic credit
- Co-creation of projects that address organizational needs, provide valuable learning experiences, and address the interests of the intern
- Develop and improve skill sets by area of interest
- A remote and virtual internship experience
How to Apply
Applications are open and reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis. Internship recruitment usually aligns with the academic school year. Please submit an application using the link below, taking care to answer all questions to the best of your abilities. Have questions before you apply? Reach out! info@ourchildrenoregon.org
Internship and Fellowship Programs
Support OCO’s social media platforms, assist with the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic communications plan, and maintain media outreach lists for press and public engagement.
Assist with event coordination for fundraising and advocacy program events, secure sponsorships with existing and new corporate partners, recruit event attendees, and conduct research on potential donors.
Assist with analysis, development, and presentation of data visualizations to inform equitable policy decisions.
Support research on state and federal policy issues impacting children and families, developing issue briefs to share with legislative candidates and partners.
Support bringing together our partner organizations throughout the state for monthly convenings, individual engagement strategies, and educational opportunities across the OCO network.
See What Past Interns & Fellows Have to Say About Their Experiences at OCO!
Paola She/Her
Community Engagement Intern | Fall 2022 to Summer 2022
“Apart from the opportunities OCO provides for interns, it is a bonus that this internship is paid, and it is a statewide non-profit that allows gaining more interdisciplinary knowledge of what our state lacks and triumphs in.”
Macy They/Them
Youth Engagement Intern | Winter 2022 to Summer 2022
“I learned that I have much more resilience than I gave myself credit for and that my goals to get my social services degree and work as a caseworker was definitely the right goal path.”
Shauna She/Her
Data & Research Fellow | Summer 2022 to Fall 2022
“I think the data & research fellowship is great for anyone who is interested in statistics but also cares deeply about issues like equity, access to basic needs and services, and environmental issues. One of the beauties of OCO is the small – any talent you might have will be welcomed and put to use! ”
Marris She/Her
Legislative & Engagement Fellow | Fall 2022 to Spring 2022
“[During my OCO internship] I’ve learned to trust myself, even when doing new things. Most of the policy-level work I did was brand new to me and the OCO team’s guidance and direction helped me feel like I knew what I was doing and, again, trust the work that I was doing was valuable and meaningful. I’ve learned both the technical skills to work effectively in policy and to be confident in my capabilities.”
Nallely She/Her
“The leadership team and their support is one of the biggest reasons I would recommend this Internship program. It was an amazing educational experience and I had the support and space that I needed to grow and learn.”
Ivana She/Her
Policy and Legislative Fellow | Winter 2022 to Summer 2022
“This internship was more than I could have imagined, in the best way possible. I didn’t have any prior experience in advocacy or policy, so diving into this space was such a big learning experience for me. I gained such a rich experience through being involved in the legislative experience, and from the projects that came from my curiosities as I learned more about the field.”
Carmela She/Her
Community Engagement Intern | Spring 2022 to Summer 2022
“I would recommend the OCO internship program to others, especially college students/post-grad, because there is a great community of people to work with at OCO, and the work you are doing is actively being used or helpful for others, so it feels rewarding.”
Riley She/Her
Youth Engagement Intern Fellow | Summer 2022 to Fall 2022
“Working at OCO means that we are breaking new ground. Every day, we are proving the legitimacy and need for more protective measures for Oregon’s youth, creating the norm that both youth and their voices matter, and innovating policy changes that have never been thought of before.”
Our Interns and Fellows Helped Create:
Below is a small highlight of the projects our interns and fellows have worked on!
Safe, Supported, and Cherished
OFYC Spotlights
Broadband Access
2021 Legislative Testimonies
2022 Legislative Testimonies
Immunization Brief
Pandemic Pain Points Dashboard
A Vision for Child Welfare Reform Issue Brief
CTC Webinar en Espanol
Child Tax Credit 101
Feel the Wins Social Media Campaign
Apply Today!
Internship & Fellowship Applications are Open!
Use the link below to apply to the Equity in Policy and Advocacy program. Applications are reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis and typically fill fast, so apply soon to help all of Oregon’s children thrive!
