NEGOTIATION WORKS 2026 SUMMER INTERNSHIP
Negotiation Works seeks College Interns for Summer 2026 to assist with its negotiation programs for individuals experiencing homelessness, returning to the community from prison, or living in domestic violence shelters in the Washington DC area. The intern will observe negotiation classes; assist with Negotiation Ambassadors meetings with former program participants; interview former participants on long-term impacts of the program; conduct research; and assist with communications and fundraising projects. A description of Negotiation Works and the internship follows. This internship is unpaid and can be conducted remotely, if desired. Interns can work between 20 and 40 hours per week and should be available for a minimum of 6 weeks.
ABOUT NEGOTIATION WORKS
Negotiation Works is a Washington, DC-based non-profit organization that provides negotiation and self-advocacy training for people who are emerging from difficult and often traumatic situations–such as incarceration, homelessness, addiction, and domestic violence–so they develop the skills to navigate everyday challenges and live the next chapters in their lives confidently and productively.
By negotiation strategies we mean communication and persuasion tools for: (a) engaging in self-advocacy in situations such as obtaining needed services or arranging a workable job schedule and (b) resolving disputes and everyday conflicts involving work, housing, family, and other situations. Participants learn that using negotiation skills to work through employment, housing, family, and other situations is more effective in achieving good outcomes for themselves than other, more reflexive approaches, which easily devolve into demanding, arguing, pleading, or avoiding and rarely result in good outcomes. Instead, negotiation skills provide a sense of security, control, and satisfaction in dealing with life’s many personal and professional challenges.
Our core services involve multi-week, interactive negotiation courses for historically marginalized individuals in the Washington, DC area. Since 2018, we have provided services to a broad range of marginalized populations through partnerships with key DC-area community organizations. Current provider-partners include: Calvary Women’s Services, Georgetown Pivot Program, MORCA-Georgetown Paralegal Program, Urban Ed, Together We Bake, and the DC Jail. To date, we have taught over 130 multi-week courses and served more than 1,600 individuals. We train and mentor volunteer instructors, who include lawyers, teachers, social workers, mediators, and law students, to lead the programs at our partner sites.
OVERVIEW OF INTERNS’ DUTIES
Negotiation Works seeks Interns for Summer 2026 to assist with its current programs, general operations, and new initiatives. The Negotiation Works Interns will have the opportunity to observe negotiation courses taught at local service providers, including homeless shelters and programs for individuals returning to the community from prison. Interns’ duties will include some or all of the following:
- support our long-term evaluation process by contacting and interviewing former program participants
- collect testimonials from program participants, partners, and instructors
- engage in at least one long-term research and writing project
- assist with Negotiation Ambassador meetings and initiatives
- assist with communications and social media, including drafting articles or blogs for our website
- support development and evaluation activities
REQUIREMENTS
- At least 1 year of college
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal effectively with a wide range of individuals and organizations
- Proficiency in using technology, including Google Sheets, Google Forms, and Canva
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail
- A commitment to the communities in which Negotiation Works is involved
APPLICATION
To apply, please submit a resume and a 250-300 word statement responding to: “Why are you interested in interning at Negotiation Works?” to melissa@negotiation-works.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Organization website: https://www.negotiation-works.org/
