What are the dates for the Labor Summer program?
The dates are: Monday, June 17, 2024 – Friday, August 9, 2024. This includes a mandatory orientation from Monday, June 17 – Friday, June 21st. Please note, Wednesday June 19th, 2024 is Juneteenth, a federal holiday, so we will not host training that day.

Is this internship paid?
Interns will be paid $22 per hour.

Who can apply?
Applicants must be rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students, and must be enrolled at a college or university in the United States at the time of applying. All applicants should have an interest in working on social and economic justice issues with unions or community-based organizations with a worker-organizing component.

I am an international student. Can I apply to Labor Summer?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept international students at this time.

I graduate in May/June 2024, can I still apply?
Yes, you are welcome and encouraged to apply if you are graduating from a program in May/June 2024.

Do I have to be in a certain major or field to apply?
No. Previous interns have studied social welfare, political science, history, Chicanx studies, public policy, public health, computer science, economics, and more. You must have an interest in working with labor organizations or worker centers and be able to articulate why and any previous experience you have had working in this area, in your application.

When is my application due?
Friday, February 2nd, 2024 at 11:59pm PST.

How do I apply?
Click on the “apply” button on the general information page. Remember to prepare and upload your resume.

If I am asked for an interview, do I need to do it in person?
No. Interviews will take place over Zoom. If you are in the Berkeley area, you are welcome to request an in-person interview, however it is not required.

When will I be notified if I will receive an interview?
We will send out interview invitations by mid-March 2024.

When will I be notified if I am accepted into the program?
We will make final decisions by early April.

Does the internship provide housing?
No, interns are responsible for providing their own housing.

Does the internship provide transportation?
No, interns are expected to provide their own transportation to the orientation training and to your host placement site.

Some host sites may require access to a car to visit worksites, interview workers, or attend meetings not accessible by mass transit. You will be asked in your application if you have access to a vehicle during the internship. Your host site will reimburse you for any travel required within the field via vehicle

Are there remote work options?
At this time, we are planning for all Labor Summer opportunities to be in-person.

Is there any flexibility in the internship dates?
No.

Where will I work? Do I get to select my campaign, site, or organization, or will I be assigned?
Host sites are typically located in the greater Bay Area, in cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Richmond, Concord, Santa Rosa, and Modesto.

You will be assigned to a site based on your interests and skills, as well as the needs of the host organization. We cannot guarantee assignment to any particular organization. During the interview process, we will share some potential host site matches to get your input. However, the Labor Summer program will ultimately assign you to a site.

What type of support will I receive during the internship?
There is a mandatory week-long orientation training to prepare you for your summer internship. We cover the nuts and bolts of organizing,history of unions and opportunities for skill development before you are placed in the field. You will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow interns and share best practices with one another.

You will be assigned a supervisor at your host site who will manage your work assignments and provide training. We will check in with hosts sites and interns midsummer to discuss how the work is going and anything that needs to be adjusted. Labor Summer staff will check in with interns throughout the program to ensure that everything is on track and that you are supported.

How many hours per week will I work?
Labor Summer interns work 40 hours per week. Interns are not permitted to work over 40 hours per week. Interns should expect to work some evenings and weekends within those 40 hours.

I have to take a summer school class. Can I still do the internship?
No. Labor Summer is a full-time commitment, often requiring working during typical class time.

I have a part-time job. Can I still participate in the internship?
No. Labor Summer is a full-time, 40-hour per week commitment with hours that can vary depending on the needs of your host site. Additional outside jobs are not permitted for the duration of the program.

Do we have any days off over the summer?
Yes, Labor Summer interns will have July 4 off as a holiday. Generally interns will have weekends off. If a host site requires you to work on the weekend, you will receive another day off during the week.

I remember there being opportunities for researchers to participate in Labor Summer, but I can’t find any information about the research track on the website?
Unfortunately, we will not be running a research track in 2024.

Is it possible to be hired full time by my host organization after the program?
We cannot guarantee future full-time employment with host organizations. However, if host organizations have job openings that align with the completion of Labor Summer, we make sure to communicate those opportunities with our interns.

Where do Labor Summer alumni go after the program?
Alumni of the Labor Summer program have gone on to work as organizers, program managers, research analysts, and more with the following organizations: IFPTE Local 21, CAA (Chinese for Affirmative Action), UNITE HERE 2850, California Workforce Development Board, NUHW (National Union of Healthcare Workers), SEIU, and others!

Will there be any COVID safety protocols in place during this program?
As of now, interns have the option of wearing masks during training week and at their host sites. We may ask interns to take a COVID test before training week begins. Host sites may have their own requests for how interns keep themselves and the communities they are working with safe from COVID.