Summer Intern, XQ Institute: Content & Editorial
Overview
Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world.
For our summer internship, we’re looking for college students who think big, are eager to take on challenges, and are ready to collaborate with their teams and with one another.
Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, recent college graduates - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED.
Candidates may apply to a maximum of three positions. Any additional submissions will not be considered.
The Opportunity
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life.
As the Content & Editorial intern, you’ll support XQ’s newly formed Content and Editorial team, contributing to a variety of writing, storytelling, and brand-building projects. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in education-focused content strategy, journalism, and communications while working with a collaborative team dedicated to reshaping the national conversation about high school transformation You’ll help craft clear, engaging, and impactful stories that elevate XQ’s mission—writing for multiple platforms, from social media to digital publications including our partnership with the 74 million, an education-focused digital publication. Candidates should bring strong writing skills, curiosity, and the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling, accessible narratives.
Role and Responsibilities
- Support writing and editorial needs as part of the XQ Content team, collaborating with Community, Product, Policy, and Schools & Systems colleagues as needed.
- Draft and edit journalism-style articles, interviews, newsletter content, and social media posts to share stories about XQ’s work and partners.
- Develop materials to strengthen XQ’s brand and communications presence—such as press kits, digital one-pagers, media contact lists, and internal spokesperson guides. Conduct a scan of XQ school and partner websites and other publicly available communications to ensure alignment with XQ brand guidelines. Coordinate with the Schools & Systems teams where follow-up is needed.
- Map the high school transformation ecosystem, including cataloguing the different stakeholders, their areas of focus, and their brand positioning relative to XQ.
- Contribute creative ideas to editorial planning, social storytelling, and content strategy discussions.
Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements
- Rising undergraduate senior, preferably studying marketing or communications, English, or a related field.
- Prior experience writing or editing for a publication, school paper, blog, or other media outlet is a plus.
- A proven background in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
- Creative, proactive, and adaptable, with the ability to take initiative and work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
- Able to take initiative and drive projects forward independently, asking questions and seeking guidance when needed.
- Bold and imaginative thinker who enjoys connecting storytelling with strategy.
- Excited by working in an environment where any idea is possible and is driven to help execute to make those ideas happen.
Application Questions:
- Please briefly explain why transforming high school education is personally important to you. (Please answer in 250 words or less)
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Show us something you’ve written. Share a project you’ve built or collaborated on (include a link). What story were you trying to tell, or what idea were you exploring through it? How did you approach bringing that story to life? (Please answer in 250 words or less)
Internship Details
The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10 - 12.
Compensation
- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).
- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.
- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.
Key Dates
- November 18 - January 9: Internship applications accepted, and interviews commence on a rolling basis (Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)
- January 12 - March 7: Interviews continue, and offers are extended
- June 10-12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation
- June 15: Internship program begins
• August 7: Internship program concludes