Visual Communications Intern
Job description
Council President Kenyatta Johnson, a former Pennsylvania State Representative, represents the Second Council District which includes parts of Center City, South Philadelphia, and Southwest Philadelphia. These sections include, but are not limited to: Grays Ferry, Hawthorne, Point Breeze, the Navy Yard and Eastwick neighborhoods. The Council President is always aspiring to provide opportunities for young adults. This internship program established in our office is one of those ways that the Council President can NOT ONLY inspire and provide young professionals with gaining real world experience, but also enlighten the youth on the importance of having a COMMANDING role in society.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson’s one(1) - three(3) month internship sessions are paid and for-credit, if your institution has those options.
Overview:
The Office of Council President Kenyatta Johnson is seeking a creative, detail-oriented Visual Communications Intern to support the Communications and Creative Services Department in developing engaging digital content and social media communications.
This position offers hands-on experience in social media content creation, photography, photo editing, and digital storytelling. The intern will assist with developing content ideas, capturing and organizing visual assets, writing short-form social media copy, and supporting the production of content that highlights Council initiatives, community events, constituent services, and the work of Philadelphia City Council.
The ideal candidate is a creative thinker with an interest in visual storytelling, digital communications, and public service who is eager to learn and contribute to a collaborative team.
Responsibilities:
- Social Media Content Creation: Assist in developing and producing content for social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and other digital channels.
- Social Media Writing: Draft short-form captions, blurbs, and descriptive copy to accompany photographs, videos, event recaps, and informational posts.
- Content Planning: Brainstorm creative concepts, story ideas, and content opportunities that highlight Council initiatives, community events, and public information.
- Photography and Event Coverage: Support photographers during photo shoots, community events, press conferences, and other official engagements.
- Photo and Video Editing: Assist with post-production tasks, including selecting, editing, organizing, and preparing visual assets for digital publication.
- Digital Asset Management: Assist with photo archival entry, image tagging, file organization, and maintaining an accessible digital photo library.
- Creative Collaboration: Work with the Communications and Creative Services teams to develop visual concepts and support ongoing communications projects.
- Additional Projects: Assist with other creative and digital communications assignments as needed.
Qualifications:
- Interest in visual communications, social media, photography, digital storytelling, writing, or public relations.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to write clear, concise, and engaging social media captions.
- Familiarity with social media platforms and an understanding of how digital content engages different audiences.
- Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud applications, particularly Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, and/or Illustrator.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage digital files accurately.
- Creativity, initiative, and a willingness to learn new tools and techniques.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with a team and follow creative direction.
- Photography portfolio or examples of event photography, social media content, or other creative work, if available. Experience in photojournalism or event photography is preferred.
- Valid driver's license preferred.
- Availability to work on Thursdays, which is a primary day for City Council meetings and related communications activities.
- Availability to work two weekends during the internship session to support scheduled events and community activities.
Benefits:
- Valuable hands-on experience and mentorship from professionals.
- Opportunity to build a portfolio.
- Flexible schedule and potential for academic credit (if applicable).
Must Submit
- Resume: An overview of relevant experience, education, and skills.
- Portfolio: Examples of photography, graphic design, social media content, writing, or other creative work. Applicants who are still developing a portfolio may submit relevant class projects or personal work.
- Brief Cover Letter: A short letter explaining their interest in the internship, relevant skills, and what they hope to learn from the experience.