Intern - Sphere Education Initiatives
To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application.
About the Role
This paid, in-person internship in Washington, DC (25–40 hours per week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Sphere Education Initiatives. You’ll help advance a nonpartisan program that provides grades 5–12 educators with diverse perspectives and professional-development resources to strengthen free speech, civil discourse, and civic culture.
Day to day, you’ll support the entire cycle of Sphere Summit (a full-scholarship summer program for teachers), assist with logistics for Sphere on the Road events at schools and districts, and help create curriculum materials for educators nationwide.
Responsibilities
- Support the application review and program development process for Sphere Summit.
- Provide logistical support for Sphere on the Road, including material shipment and related support.
- Develop curriculum materials for grade 5-12 educators that encourage civil discourse in the classroom.
- Support other tasks and projects as needed by the Sphere team.
Qualifications
- Strong interest in—and working familiarity with—K–12 civic education, civil discourse, and educator professional development in the US.
- Professionalism, humility, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Knowledge of libertarian and classical-liberal thought and comfort engaging respectfully with diverse viewpoints.
- Clear written and verbal communication; dependable follow-through in fast-paced, event-driven environments.
- Ability to support event and operations readiness—coordinate logistics, liaise with vendors, and assist participants.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Salesforce is a plus (basic CRM hygiene and list-management skills are helpful).
The Cato Internship Program
Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.”
All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks.
Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.
For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.