Want to Be a Part of a Disability Rights & Advocacy Organization? Become an Intern at Ramp Your Voice!
WINNSBORO, SC (Sept. 16, 2014) - Going into the second year of Ramp Your Voice!, I decided that now is the opportune time to expand my team by seeking the talents and skills of interns. There is a lot of work that I plan to spearhead within the next year and beyond, and I cannot continue to do this work solo – compiling an energetic team with the skill sets I need has to be a priority. With the new school year underway, I figured that this is the perfect moment to retain students and professionals who are willing to assist a start-up organization, but are also passionate about propelling the voices of those with disabilities in America and abroad.
Constructing the RYV! Intern “Dream Team” – Could You Be the Right Fit?
Do you love creating infographics, eye-catching graphics for blogs, & working on WordPress & Tumblr blogs? Are you a self-proclaimed social media maven? Do you love finding & connecting with the latest websites/apps to share new content & services from empowering organizations doing exceptional work? Are you vibrant, creative, energetic, & full of amazing ideas that could assist a start-up organization?
If any of this describes you, then you may have found the perfect internship opportunity for your passions and interests to flourish.
Ramp Your Voice!’s Internship Details:
Duration: Ramp Your Voice! is seeking undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals willing to provide their services pro bono, for the following semesters: late Fall 2014, Spring 2015, and Summer 2015. There is opportunity for the time span to extend.
Hours: Seeking dedicated, enthusiastic individuals who can commit to working a minimum of 10-20 hours per week. This would equate to giving 2-3 days of your time to Ramp Your Voice! Schedules are negotiable.
Compensation: Internships are not compensated (unpaid opportunities). Interns may be eligible for college credit, if applicable.
Telecommuting Opportunity: Although Ramp Your Voice! is located in Winnsboro, SC, mature and committed interns are required to work remotely (telecommuting) and communicate with the Founder of the organization online via webchats (Google Hangout and Skype), emails, and phone calls. Applicants from across the United States are strongly urged to apply. International students and professionals may apply as well.
Technology Requirements: Telecommuting interns must have the availability of a computer or laptop, reliable internet access, and appropriate software (already acquired on one’s computing device(s)) to complete assigned tasks and projects.
Special Considerations: If you are a person of color (particularly women of color) and/or a person with a disability with the sought-after skill sets required, you would be considered a strong internship candidate.
With Ramp Your Voice!’s focus on the disability experience, especially that of men and women of color with disabilities, it is imperative that the internship team reflects the diversity of the organization’s vision.
Why Join the RYV! Intern Dream Team?
What Ramp Your Voice! is offering is a unique opportunity to work in an innovative, rapidly growing start-up organization, gain and improve skills, and gain experience in working in collaboration with others on its “dream team.”
Internship Opportunities Available:
The following are the internship opportunities currently available:
Social Media and Press Release
Graphic Design
Web Design
To Apply:
Send a detailed cover letter, resume, three references, and samples of your work to Vilissa Thompson at Vilissa@rampyourvoice.com.
All documentation submitted via email should be formatted as PDFs, JPGs, & PNGs files only.
Samples of your work requested would include links to web pages, writings, and images/graphics from projects completed in previous internship, school, and work opportunities.
Application emails should have the following subject lines:
“Social Media & Press Relations Internship”
“Graphic Design Internship”
“Web Design Internship”
Emails received without these subject lines WILL NOT be considered.
In your cover letter, please tell about your skills, as well as your interest in the mission of the organization.
Only finalists will be contacted. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Internship Opportunities: Responsibilities & Position Qualifications:
Below are the responsibilities and qualification descriptions for the three internship opportunities available:
Social Media and Press Release Intern:
Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Managing organization’s social media channels – including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Google Plus
Monitoring journalists, organizations, & media who cover Ramp Your Voice!’s posts, issues, etc.
Monitoring & reporting online news updates concerning the organization’s key interests
Engaging media to include Ramp Your Voice! in their coverage of the organization’s core issues
Managing some administrative tasks as needed (e.g., updating databases, files, etc.)
Position qualifications:
Strong social media skills, and at least one year managing social media channel(s) for a club, organization or business – particularly Twitter and Facebook
Familiarity with Hootsuite or Tweetdeck
Strong background & interest in press relations
Outstanding oral & written skills
Experience with Mail Chimp, WordPress, Tumblr, and/or html is a strong plus
Graphic Design Intern:
Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Design clear engaging graphic communications for print and web. This will include logos, direct mail pieces, branded promotional items, website and social media graphics, posters, flyers, and other marketing materials as needed.
Work closely with the Founder and internship team to translate their messaging concepts into marketing materials.
Position qualifications:
Be proficient in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, & Photoshop and/or other common design and layout applications
Having access to graphic design and layout software is required
Must be extremely organized and detail oriented
Web Design Intern:
Main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Develop web pages utilizing industry standard techniques, tools, and site development platforms/languages
Update and maintain existing website and database applications, including routine edits, text updates, and adding PDF, links, and photographs
Assess new media, standards, technologies, and trends
Collaborate with Founder and internship team to develop effective message delivery strategies and help formulate plans for future enhancements of website and web pages
Assist Founder in brainstorming advertising strategies
Test web pages for functionality in different browsers and at different resolutions
Ensure that content layout is accessible (accessibility is a main priority)
Recommend website improvements
Position qualifications:
Proficient knowledge in HTML and XHTML, CSS, Javascript
Strong experience with WordPress and Tumblr formats
Highly organized with strong website management skills
Having access to web and graphic design, and layout software is required
Strong attention to detail and creative problem solving
ALL INTERESTED CANDIDATES are to possess the following professional traits:
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, managing multiple priorities
Ability to manage time and work on projects with tight deadlines, including quick turn-around for tasks
Attention to detail, organizational skills, and flexibility
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong track record of project management / project completion
Self-motivated and enthusiastic about learning about the rights of people with disabilities domestically and abroad, human rights, and the disability advocacy field
Ability to interpret Founder and organizational needs and translate them into requirements and technical solutions
For undergraduate and graduate students: Major in one (or more) of the following preferred: Social Media, Communications (Mass and/or Visual), Women’s Rights, Disability Rights, Human Rights, International Relations, Political Science, or Interdisciplinary Studies
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RYV! Readers – A Call for Action:
Please share this press release with those within your social and professional networks to assist Ramp Your Voice! in retaining highly qualified, creative, and exceptional interns who will propel this organization from good to great in the next year!
(Featured headlining image: Courtesy of Rollins.)