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About Us

Communication Internships

  • communications intern


    Since our founding in 1947, Dana-Farber has been committed to providing adults and children with cancer and blood disorders with the best treatment available today, while developing tomorrow's cures through cutting-edge research.

    Dana-Farber's Communications department performs many of the functions of a full-service, in-house communications agency — for which we have won numerous awards from the New England Society for Healthcare Communications, the Publicity Club of New England, Women in Communications, and others.

  • We use our communications expertise to support Dana-Farber's fight against cancer by:

    • Building awareness of, and support for, the Institute's life-saving mission
    • Providing marketing and communications services for Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center and Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
    • Enhancing communication with patients and families
    • Helping employees work more effectively

    As a Communications intern, you have the opportunity to be part of one of the most active communications departments in our area and make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.

    Editorial Internship
    • Interview members of the Dana-Farber community
    • Write news and feature stories, and cover events
    • Write, edit, proofread, and manage communications projects
    • Assist in production of online videos, event and program collateral, and other forms of digital and print content
    Media Relations Internship
    • Develop and distribute news materials to reporters
    • Learn and work with web-based media monitoring systems
    • Research, write, and send targeted "hometowner" press releases
    • Organize news coverage clips and create post-event media reports
    • Help with managing reporters during celebrity visits or promotional events
    Photography Internship
    • Work directly with the staff photographer on photo shoots for print and Web
    • Learn and work with photo database management software
    • Post-production image management with Adobe Lightroom
    Videography Internship
    • Create Web videos
    • Assist in filming, editing, and lighting segments
    • Update media tracking video database
    • Format edited video segments for Web use
    Interactive Internship
    • Research and write content for the Dana-Farber, Jimmy Fund, and/or DFCIOnline (intranet) websites
    • Maintain content on the Dana-Farber, Jimmy Fund, and DFCIOnline sites
    • Work with editors to review and edit sections on the sites
    • Interview members of the Dana-Farber community for stories
    Social Media Internship
    • Work with the social media team to assist in development of social strategies for Dana-Farber
    • Monitor online presence and respond to comments across Dana-Farber’s social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+
    • Support social listening, publishing, content creation, and reporting as needed
    News Video Production - Media Relations Internship
    • Research topics around science-based story ideas
    • Assist in production of news style videos including: filming reporter stand-ups and operating camera during interviews, and other duties as needed during interviews and film sessions
    • Log interviews
    • Write and format television news-style scripts
    • Pitch research- and science-based video stories to news media
    • Produce a final video project for resume reel (short news-style video with reporter stand-up)

    Requirements

    • Be enrolled in an undergraduate or master's program for the duration of the internship
    • Receive course credit for the internship
    • Dedicate 20 hours per week, between Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., for 13 weeks
    • Strong preference given to juniors, seniors, and graduate students
    • International students are welcome to apply


    The deadline for Spring 2020 internships is November 30, 2019.     Please apply below with your cover letter, resume, and 2-3 writing samples (or visual samples for photo and video interns).

    Apply for a Communication Internship

    If you have any questions, please email student_internships@dfci.harvard.edu.

  • Our Communications Internship Experience

    Olivia

    Olivia

    "Thanks to the knowledge I acquired and the connections I made here, I was able to pursue my current position at an educational publishing company in Boston. Every day I recognize myself utilizing the written and oral communication skills, collaboration skills, and time management skills that I developed during my internship." 

    Laura Gartelman

    Laura

    "I just accepted a position with the Los Angeles Chargers. I am going to be their year-long intern for video production and fan experience and I couldn't be more excited! I cannot thank you enough times for hiring me as your intern, and helping me create an amazing project last summer."

    sophia

    Sophia

    "The work I did as a media relations intern was not only relevant and engaging, but it gave me great experience that I know will set me apart professionally. My time at Dana-Farber showed me the joy of non-profit, intentional work, and I am so grateful I was able to share patient stories and advocate for this amazing institution."