Employment Services Internship (IINE-Lowell)

The International Institute of New England is a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving refugees and immigrants in Boston, MA, Lowell, MA, and Manchester, NH. The Institute offers internships to students, graduate students, and recent graduates with demonstrated interest or experience in supporting refugee, asylee, and immigrant populations. Each internship includes an educational component, through which interns contextualize their experience and reflect on their service. Interns can also expect to spend some time each week supporting their office's front desk, assisting the Office Manager and learning to better navigate the services at the Institute.

All internships are unpaid and correspond roughly with the US semester system:

Summer Internship: June 1, 2026 through mid- August 2026
(Applications requested by May 2, 2026; considered thereafter until positions are filled)

First consideration is given to applicants that can commit at least 10 hours over the course of one of the semesters outlined above. Applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of whether their schedule fits the semester system; IINE makes exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Slots fill quickly and candidates are encouraged to apply earlier than the requested date above.

Employment Services Internship Overview

Our employment program places newly-arrived refugees into their first jobs in the US, as well as refugees who are seeking job upgrades. Employment Specialists work one on one with clients to develop job resumes, search for openings, complete applications, and attend job interviews. Once places in a job, Employment Specialists track retention at regular intervals and offer a variety of continued support and coaching for the student as they settle into their new job. Interns meet one-on-one with clients to provide additional resume and cover letter writing support, help practice for interviews with potential employers, and to answer questions clients may have once they start new jobs.

Reports To: Employment Services Lead Case Specialist

Location: Lowell, MA

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Case Specialist to provide feedback to clients working on resumes, cover letters, and job applications
• Practice with clients ahead of interviews
• Check in with clients about their applications and interviews
• Accompany clients to interviews and job fairs
  • Follow up with potential employers until a decision is made
• Help clients identify and apply to apprenticeship and training programs related to their career goals
• Teach Work Orientation Workshops
• Regularly summarize client accomplishments and feedback for Case Specialist
• Document client-facing activities through case notes and other forms of documentation

Qualifications:

• Interest in international, refugee, asylee, and/or immigrant issues
• Ability to work respectfully in a multicultural environment
• Patience speaking with non-native English speakers/non-English speakers
• Tutoring or teaching experience, especially in small groups or on a one-on-one basis
• Experience with US job application process
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience editing and formatting, especially resumes and cover letters
• Highly organized with great attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and to switch gears quickly
• Professionalism, discretion, and maturity in dealing with confidential information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Language skills in Arabic, French, Spanish, Pashto, Somali, Haitian Creole, Swahili, Kinyarwanda or Nepali preferred
• Driver’s license and/or car a plus

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize and create strong resumes and cover letters
• Hone editing and formatting skills
• Successfully build relationships and refer candidates to potential employers
• Understand and explain how to access local transportation and publics services
• Successfully navigate the application, interview, and orientation processes typical of recruitment systems used by US employers
• Identify and access community resources and services, particularly those that cater to the needs of refugees and immigrants.
• Understand the US Refugee Resettlement program, as well as what part the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and resettlement agencies like the International Institute of New England play in receiving and integrating refugees.
• Respectfully express and engage with ideas and values in a multicultural, multilingual environment.