Communications Intern

Communications Internship – Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) 

Location: Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid) Must be able to commute to the office location in Downtown Minneapolis on a regular basis. ? 

Hours: 15–30 hours/week, typically between 8:00 AM–5:00 PM 

Compensation: $20/hour – Transportation costs, such as parking or bus fare, are covered. 

Duration: November to May (flexibility allowed in hours for the fall semester before ramping up in the spring semester) 

Reports To: Communications Director 

About MHEC 

Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) strengthens post-secondary education in its 11 midwestern states through development and support of best practices, collaborative efforts, and cost-sharing opportunities. MHEC works with and for a variety of stakeholders within and across member states, including higher education system and campus leaders, state policymakers, and other state leaders. Through these efforts it works to ensure strong, postsecondary educational opportunities and outcomes for all.

MHEC’s strategic approach highlights member states’ strong desire for cooperation, effectiveness, and efficiency. MHEC believes that actions informed by research and best practices are the catalyst for improving quality, accessibility, relevance, and affordability of postsecondary educational opportunities. MHEC does this primarily through the following approaches: convenings, programs, research, and cost-savings contracts. MHEC strives to help its members support students and their success. 

Position Summary 

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Communications Intern to assist with creating and distributing communications across a variety of mediums and to multiple stakeholder audiences, including higher education policymakers, administrators, and researchers.  

This position provides hands-on experience in strategic communication in higher education and public policy, offering an opportunity to learn how to communicate the actions and value of a regional higher education organization that supports collaboration among legislators, state agencies, and higher education leaders across the Midwest.

Reporting to the Communications Director, the intern will support MHEC’s work across 11 Midwestern states by creating and distributing communications to MHEC’s stakeholders and audiences through print, web, email, social media, photo, and graphic communications. This may include researching and sourcing information and images for content, writing releases, preparing meeting materials, editing the website, taking and editing event photos, creating social media posts, building presentations, and editing and designing branded communications,  

Key Responsibilities 

• Generate different kinds of content and communication  
• Edit different kinds of content and communication  
• Make design adjustments to presentations and communications within templates 
• Match brand voice to stakeholder audience 
• Check facts and proofread 
• Conduct research on topics related to higher education 
• Conduct interviews with sources and stakeholders in person, remotely, and/or by email 
• Prepare notes on interviews, research, and events 
• Take photos at events and edit them 
• Prepare meeting materials for MHEC’s annual state visits. 
• Update and maintain contact lists for policymakers, legislative staff, higher education leaders, and nonprofit partners. 
• Support communications, events, and policy teams with assistance on administrative tasks, events, and communications. 
• Attend internal meetings and, when possible, external events in Minnesota. 
• Engage in professional development, including informational interviews with MHEC staff, mock interviews, and personalized resume and cover letter review. 

Qualifications
 

Required 

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree and enrolled in an accredited university at the time of application majoring in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, nonprofit administration, political science, public policy, education, or a related field; transcript verification may be requested during the hiring process.  
• Self-starter with excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects with varying deadlines. 
• Strong understanding of how content works across mediums (print, web, image, social...). 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for defined external audiences.  
• Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy, and professionalism in all work, including strong editing and proofreading skills. 
• Demonstrated initiative in taking on new projects and learning through professional experience. 
• Collaborative and customer-focused, contributing to a positive, team-oriented, and nonpartisan work environment. 
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and groups representing different perspectives and political backgrounds. 
• Ability to perform office/computer-based work for up to 8 hours/day. 
• Ability to work in person multiple days per week, with at least one in-person day on a Tuesday or Wednesday, at MHEC’s downtown Minneapolis office. 

Preferred 

• Experience in policy, legislative, higher education, nonprofit, or government-related work. 
• Demonstrated strategic use of a variety of communications across mediums, and for defined, external audiences.  

Schedule and Work Environment 

• Internship runs through May. 
• Interns are expected to work in person multiple days per week, with at least one of those days on a Tuesday or Wednesday. 
• Flexible scheduling around classes and other commitments; average 15–30 hours/week, depending on availability and project needs. 

Application Requirements
 

• Resume 
• Cover Letter or Personal Statement of 500 words or less addressing: 
• Your experience or interest in higher education 
• Your experience creating and strategically using content for external audiences  
• What you hope to gain from this internship 
• How you will use this experience to support your professional growth 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.