Application Guide

How to Apply for Outreach and Engagement Intern

at The Aspen Institute

🏢 About The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a nonpartisan forum for values-based leadership and the exchange of ideas. Its Energy & Environment Program drives global climate solutions through dialogue, leadership, and impactful action, making it a unique place to contribute to meaningful change in climate policy and communication.

About This Role

As an Outreach and Engagement Intern, you'll support the Academy's growth by creating communication toolkits, managing contact databases, and analyzing recruitment data. This role directly impacts the Academy's ability to attract and engage climate leaders, giving you hands-on experience in strategic outreach.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start by checking emails and updating the contact database with new leads. You could then draft a promotional email for an upcoming Academy event, review recruitment data to identify trends, and reach out to partner organizations to cross-promote programs. Afternoon might involve refining a communication toolkit based on feedback and preparing a summary of outreach metrics for the team.

🚀 Application Tools

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🎯 Who The Aspen Institute Is Looking For

  • A strong writer and communicator who can craft clear, compelling toolkits and emails tailored to diverse audiences.
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented, able to manage large contact databases and track recruitment timelines accurately.
  • Proactive and independent, with the ability to work remotely and take initiative on tasks like promoting programs to partner organizations.
  • Familiar with content development and basic data analysis, with some experience in communications or outreach roles.

📝 Tips for Applying to The Aspen Institute

1

Highlight any experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp) or CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) in your resume and cover letter.

2

In your cover letter, mention specific climate or energy topics you're passionate about and how they align with the Aspen Institute's mission.

3

Include a sample of your writing (e.g., a toolkit or email draft) as a portfolio piece to demonstrate your skills.

4

Showcase your ability to work independently by describing a remote project you managed from start to finish.

5

Tailor your application to emphasize your organizational skills, such as experience building and maintaining databases.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for climate action and how it aligns with the Aspen Institute's values and programs.", 'Specific examples of creating communication materials (e.g., toolkits, emails) for outreach or engagement campaigns.', 'Your ability to analyze data to inform decisions, such as tracking recruitment metrics or optimizing outreach strategies.', 'Your experience collaborating with partner organizations or online communities to promote events or programs.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Aspen Institute's Energy & Environment Program website and recent reports to understand their current initiatives and language.
  • → Look into past Academy programs and events to see the types of toolkits and emails they've produced.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Institute's mission and values, especially their focus on values-based leadership and nonpartisan dialogue.
  • → Check the LinkedIn profiles of current or past interns in similar roles to understand typical projects and impact.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you created a communication toolkit or email campaign. What was your process and what was the outcome?
2 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple deadlines for outreach activities?
3 How would you approach contacting like-minded organizations to promote an Academy program?
4 What experience do you have with compiling and organizing contact databases? What tools did you use?
5 How do you stay informed about current climate policy or energy issues that could inform outreach strategies?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention climate or the Aspen Institute's specific work.
  • Overlooking the remote aspect—failing to demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage time effectively without supervision.
  • Ignoring the data analysis part of the role; not showing any experience with numbers, spreadsheets, or metrics in your application.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to The Aspen Institute!

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