Graphic Design Communications Associate Intern

Reports To: Graphic Designer
Job Type: Internship/Fellowship
Work Location: Hybrid (based in Lansing)

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Communications Associate is a paid internship, educational position designed to provide students with exposure to labor communications work without performing bargaining-unit duties covered by the IBT Local 243 contract. The Communications Associate focuses on learning, observation, research, and administrative support, and does not include any duties regularly or historically assigned to bargaining-unit employees.

The intern will work under close supervision and will receive hands-on learning opportunities to understand how communication supports the labor movement. Under the direction of the Graphic Designer, the Communications Associate(s) will assist in developing and executing earned, owned, and digital media strategies for learning purposes.

TIME COMMITMENT & COMPENSATION

• This is a part-time, paid opportunity.

• Contribute a minimum of 10 hours per week, though availability for 20 hours per week is preferred.

• Interns are expected to work 12-14 weeks on periods consistent with fall, spring, and summer college semester schedules.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Communications Associate internship is structured as a learning and training opportunity and is not intended to replace, supplement, or perform work assigned to bargaining-unit employees covered by the IBT Local 243 collective bargaining agreement. Responsibilities are limited to educational, observational, research, and administrative support activities performed under close supervision.

Graphic Design Support

• Work under the direction of the Graphic Designer to develop compelling, timely visual content supporting the Michigan AFL-CIO and its federated divisions across earned, owned and paid media.

• Assist with the development of draft graphics for social media, websites, email, presentations, events, campaigns and other communications projects for review and finalization by supervisory staff.

• Learn to translate communications goals, messaging and creative briefs into effective visual concepts while maintaining organizational brand standards.

• Create supervised design concepts, mockups and variations for projects such as social media graphics, flyers, digital advertisements, event materials, reports and other collateral.

• Assist with adapting approved creative materials into different sizes, formats and platform specifications for digital, social, web and print applications.

• Participate in brainstorming and concept-development sessions and contribute ideas for visual storytelling, campaigns and creative projects.

• Gain hands-on experience with Adobe Creative Cloud and other design tools while learning professional workflows for layout, typography, color, image selection and production.

• Assist with identifying, organizing and preparing photography, illustrations, logos and other visual assets for communications projects.

• Learn and apply accessibility, readability and brand-consistency principles to draft creative materials.

• Assist with maintaining organized design files, templates, brand assets and creative archives for instructional and administrative purposes.

• Support supervised photo, video, motion graphics or other multimedia projects based on the intern’s interests and skill level.

• Participate in design critiques and receive coaching and feedback from the Graphic Designer and communications staff as part of professional development.

Research & Academic Support

• Conduct background research on labor issues, public policy topics, or current events to support learning objectives.

• Compile research summaries, media scans, or content audits for review by supervisory staff.

• Assist with fact-checking and proofreading draft materials for learning and training purposes.

Administrative & Training-Based Assistance

• Perform administrative tasks related to organizing digital files, tracking content calendars, or updating internal databases.

• Assist with scheduling, organizing, or documenting communications projects for instructional purposes.

• Support the preparation of draft materials (e.g., sample social media posts, mock press releases, or graphics) that are reviewed and finalized by non-intern staff.

Skill Development Projects

• Complete supervised learning projects designed to build writing, editing, graphic design, or digital media skills.

• Participate in training exercises using communications tools and platforms in a non-production capacity.

• Receive feedback and coaching on drafts and sample work as part of professional development.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• College students (undergraduate or masters) with minimum undergraduate sophomore standing.

• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to produce clear, persuasive, and compelling content per learning objectives.

• Willingness to learn and grow communications, digital media, public affairs, political campaigns, journalism and related skill sets.

• Ability to manage multiple administrative tasks.

• Commitment to strengthen Michigan’s labor movement.

• Familiarity with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, LinkedIn) and digital publishing tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience using digital organizing tools (Action Network, Mobilize, email CRMs, etc.)

• Basic graphic design or video editing experience (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, CapCut, etc.).

Knowledge of Michigan politics, labor unions, or advocacy spaces.

HOW TO APPLY

• Please submit the following to [email protected] with the subject line “Communications Associate – Your Name”: A résumé , brief cover letter , 3-5 graphic design/creative samples .

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

JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION - EEOC

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to build diversity among our officers, staff, and members. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ, veterans, and disabled candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATION

The Michigan AFL-CIO is a non-profit federation of more than forty labor unions representing over 1 million working people across Michigan. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation. Employees of the Michigan AFL-CIO may work in collaboration with one, or all, of our affiliated nonprofit organizations in the Federation, including:

Michigan AFL-CIO Workforce Development Institute: our affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was established to combat economic and environmental injustice by connecting the unemployed or underemployed with the training and resources necessary to find gainful employment and transition Michigan to a cleaner, greener economy.

Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation: our affiliated 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization established to combat economic and social injustice by connecting the working people with resources within Michigan’s charitable, educational and legal systems.

Michigan AFL-CIO Advocates: our affiliated 501(c)(4) non-profit organization was established to unite labor leaders, policymakers, and the public to educate and advocate for policies, programs, and projects to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to communities across Michigan.