AAI Foundation

Student Resource Center

Internship Opportunities

Part-time internships available in AAI’s new Midwest Office - Dearborn, MI

The Arab American Institute offers two part-time paid internship positions to full- and part-time students, graduate students, and recent college graduates. Students must be able to work at least six consecutive weeks for 20 hours per week.* Interns will work on a variety of projects (from planning local events to conducting national research on Arab Americans in public service and political life, to circulating the Yalla Vote ’08 National Petition) as well as carrying out administrative support assignments.

Successful applicants will have pleasant, professional telephone demeanor and interpersonal skills; ability to work as part of a team; good organizational and research skills; knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. Volunteer experience in political campaigning or community advocacy preferred. Must be available consistently during regular office hours (9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.) and occasionally during evenings and weekends.

Applications are currently being reviewed for summer internships.
Application deadline for Fall internships: August 9

* A number of unpaid 8 - 10 hour / week internships are also available each term.

Applicants for Midwest Office Internships should submit: - a resume
- a cover letter, including start and end dates, and hours of availability
- three references or letters of recommendation
- a short (3-4) page writing sample

To apply, or for more information, contact: Valerie Smith
Arab American Institute - Midwest Office
4407 Roemer, Dearborn, MI 48125
Email: vsmith@aaiusa.org
Phone: (313) 945-9221
Fax: (313) 945-9226

Internships in Washington, DC

The Arab American Institute offers paid internship positions to full- and part-time students, graduate students, and recent college graduates. Students must be able to work at least six consecutive weeks for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Interns work on a variety of projects and assignments within our various departments at AAI.

Application deadlines:
Spring: December 6, Summer: April 9, Fall: August 9

Applicants should submit:
- a resume and cover letter, including dates of availability
- references or letters of recommendation
- a short (3-4) page writing sample

For more information, contact:
Sabeen Altaf, Arab American Institute
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 429-9210 Fax: (202) 429-9214

The AAI Foundation's Youth Leadership Awards honors Arab Americans 30 years old or younger for their public and community service. This year's application deadline is March 14; successful candidates will be notified in April. For more information please email Sabeen Altaf at saltaf@aaiusa.org.

Helen Abbott Community Service Awards The Helen Abbott Community Service Awards honor students and student organizations whose devotion to community service, selfless acts of care, and interest in improving the quality of life for others reflect the life of the Awards’ namesake. The Helen Abbott Community Service Awards is given in two categories: (1) achievement by a college/university student and (2) achievement by a high school student. Each year the Foundation awards a maximum of two $1,000 individual prizes and one $500 grant to a high school student. Organizational community service projects include, but are not limited to: community improvement and service projects such as park clean-ups, recycling programs, volunteering in shelters, tutoring programs, food/toy drives, and ethnic/cultural outreach. Abbott Award Recipients Background and Application Form (PDF)

Raymond Jallow Awards for Public Service The Raymond Jallow Awards for Public Service are presented to two deserving candidates whose commitment to public service reflects the life of the Awards’ namesake. Two $500 grants are given annually to students and adults who are actively involved in, or plan to participate, in public service. Examples of activities include preparing for foreign service, clerking for a judge, running for office, and specializing in public administration. Jallow Award Recipients Background and Application Form (PDF)

Al-Muammar Scholarship for Journalism The Arab American Institute Foundation is accepting applications for the Al Muammar Scholarships for Journalism for the 2009-2010 academic year. Inaugurated in 2005, the program awards annually up to four scholarship grants, valued at $5,000 each, to eligible Arab American college students who are majoring in journalism, as well as college seniors who have been accepted to a graduate journalism school. Awardees are selected by a panel of judges drawn from the print and broadcast media in the United States. Applications are due March 2, 2009. Al-Muammar Scholarship Recipients Information for applicants Application form (PDF)

Voice of Arab Youth is a project that aims to train youth from the Arab world. For more information, contact Fadi A. Elsalameen at felsalameen@aed.org or visit the Youth Action Network

"A new generation of young Arab Americans has stepped forward to work on behalf of the Arab-American community. This new energy can be seen everywhere. On college campuses, young Arab Americans have become a dynamic force in student government and local community activism." - Dr. James Zogby, Washington Watch, May 5, 1997 If you're interested in volunteering at AAI's Washington, DC office, please send an email to mabdelhamid@aaiusa.org

This program encourages students to become active in government at the national and local levels. AAI can help students obtain volunteer positions with political campaigns and secure internship placements in government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Student Action Network is seeking student activists who are committed to advancing Arab American interests in communities, government and politics. An email broadcast network provides students with information about legislative and policy issues of national importance to the Arab American community and actions they can take to help affect these issues. If you're interested in getting involved in the Student Action Network, please email us your name, school, and contact information.