Academic Year Positions | Summer Internship Progam

Academic Year Positions

Throughout the year, the Berkman Center for Internet & Society welcomes people from all backgrounds to join us in our research as paid interns/research assistants. Please note that these positions aren't intended to be long-term full time jobs.

2011-2012 Academic Year Positions

* Digital Media Production Internship

* Youth and Media Research

General Academic Year Intern/Research Assistant Information and Eligibility:
* The typical wage is $11.50 per hour.
* Time commitments typically, but do not always, range from 8-12 hours per week.
* Interns/RAs do not have to be students.
* Interns/RAs do not have to be affiliated with Harvard University. 
* We are unable to hire Interns/RAs who will conduct their work outside of the state of Massachusetts.
* We do not have the ability to provide authorization to work in the U.S.

Summer Internship Program

We will begin to accept applications for Summer 2012 in early January 2012.  We are not yet accepting applications.

Each summer The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University swings open the doors of our big yellow house to welcome a group of talented, curious, and energetic full-time interns - Berkterns! - who are passionate about the promise of the Internet and issues related to media and journalism, civic engagement, policy, identity and privacy, education, technology, the developing world, law, and more.

Summer interns jump head first into Berkman research - joining efforts such as our Broadband project, our freedom of expression projects, the Youth and Media Project, Herdict, Cooperation, the Cyberlaw Clinic, the Global Network Initiative, the Digital Media Law Project, Law Lab, and others - where they have an opportunity for deep and substantive involvement in project operation.  Performing topic-based research; drafting and editing blog posts, papers and other written outputs; conducting outreach, developing partnerships, and maintaining relationships; exploring project and research design; and undertaking academic responsibilities of all kinds both independently and collaboratively is part of the Berkman summer intern experience.  Specific tasks and experiences vary depending on interns' skills and project needs.

In addition to contributing to project based work, summer interns participate in special events and lectures with Berkman faculty and fellows, engage each other through community experiences like the weekly interns discussion hours and group video productions (check out the crew of summer 2010's amazing chapter-by-chapter Born Digital videos).  In addition, each year Berkterns innovate new opportunities for fun and learning, such as organizing debates, producing podcasts and other media outputs, and hosting book clubs and cookoffs. 

The word "awesome" has been thrown around to describe our internships, but don't take our word for it. Zack McCune, a summer intern from 2008, had this to say: "it has been an enchanting summer working at the berkman center for internet & society.  everyday, i get to hang out with some of the most brilliant people on the planet. we talk, we write (emails), we blog, we laugh, we play rock band. and when things need to get done, we stay late hyped on free coffee and leftover food. it is a distinct honor to be considered a peer among such excellent people. and i am not just talking about the fellows, staff, and faculty, though they are all outstanding. no, i mean my peers as in my fellow interns, who are almost definitely the ripening next generation of changemakers."

Eligibility:
* Internships are open to students enrolled across the spectrum of disciplines;
* Internships are open to students at different levels of academic study including undergraduate, graduate and PhD. programs (some flexibility with high school students might be possible);
* Summer interns do not have to be affiliated with Harvard University;
* Summer interns do not have to be U.S. residents, and international students are welcome to apply.

Commitment to Diversity:
The work and well-being of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University are strengthened profoundly by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and much more. We actively seek and welcome applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQ community, and persons with disabilities, as well as applications from researchers and practitioners from across the spectrum of disciplines and methods.  The roots of this deep commitment are many and, appropriately, diverse.  We are not nearly far enough along in this regard, and we may never be. It is a constant process in which there remains much to learn. We welcome your inquiries, comments and ideas on how we may continue to improve.

Time Commitment:
Summer internships are full time positions (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks.

Payment:
Interns are paid $11.50 an hour.  Please be forewarned that stipends may not be sufficient to cover living expenses in the Boston area.  No other benefits are provided, therefore interns must make their own insurance and transportation arrangements.