Intern with CAIR-Houston

CAIR-Houston has faithfully served the Greater Houston community for more than 15 years. Since our inception in 2002, CAIR-Houston’s objective has never strayed from its core mission; To enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

As a non-profit civil rights organization, we educate and empower young Americans with the skills they need now, to make lasting differences in the future. CAIR-Houston teaches youth leadership, activism and service skills through our comprehensive internship program, developing professional skills and insight into the workings of a grassroots advocacy organization.

Whether full-time, part-time, college or even high school students, opportunities to apply for a CAIR-Houston internship are available throughout the year for all to apply. Interns can earn academic credit or community service hours, or simply enrich their experience and insight to advocacy and civil rights efforts.

We empower you to make the difference!

Application Guidelines

A Complete Internship Application May Include All of the Following:

An application completed, signed, and dated with all spaces completed with the most updated information and truthful responses.
A cover letter that specifies the position and session you’re applying for (i.e., winter-spring, summer, or fall) , as well as your interests and qualifications. Applicants must clearly indicate which internship position they are applying for in the cover letter. Applications that do not state this information may not be processed.
Departments may require you to submit a sample of your work with at least one of the following:
- Writing sample: This could be a drafted legal document, press release, blog, or previously submitted essay or writing assignment you’ve written that reflects civil rights and advocacy issues. If none of the above are available, an original essay will also be considered. [maximum length: 5 pages; minimum length: 2 pages].
- Portfolio: a display of completed works displaying skills, interests and unique creative perspective (for graphic design applicants). If you are a student, a course schedule for the most current academic period.

NOTE: All interns with CAIR-Houston are subject to the applicable CAIR-Houston employee rules.

All interns with CAIR-Houston are subject to a criminal background check.

All internships with CAIR-Houston are unpaid.

Academic Credit And Community Service Hours

Interns may receive academic credit or community service hours if arrangements are made between CAIR-Houston and the intern’s school. It is the student’s responsibility to research the requirements, work with the supervising director to tailor the internship, and ensure that appropriate forms are completed if they wish to receive academic credits from their respective institutions.

Timeline And Minimum Expectations

CAIR-Houston’s internship program is open throughout the year, offering a variety of specialties to cultivate young professionals and activists. Considering high school and college academic calendars, each session generally runs between the following months, though this may be adjusted depending on your availability:

Winter/spring: January – May
Summer: May – August
Fall: September – December

Selection Process

Applicants will be contacted within five (5) business days of submitting their complete applications. If an applicant is identified as a viable candidate for the program, an interview will be scheduled. Candidates may be asked for additional documents to complement their applications prior to their interview.

Scheduling Requirements

As stated above, Internships are offered throughout the year, and can be arranged to accommodate academic schedules based on the student’s availability. Summer interns typically work a full-time schedule — Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a lunch break.

Full-time internships are usually 10 weeks long, but can be longer depending on the intern’s availability. Part-time internships are expected to be between 1-3 days a week. Please include your availability in your cover letter.

Individuals who are selected but are available to complete less than the required hours stated above will be invited to join CAIR-Houston’s volunteer network.