Summer 2022 Intern Cohort

 Do you want to change the world with Kaur Foundation? Apply to our summer internship program!

We are hiring 4-6 interns to work on projects in Curriculum Development & Research, Communication & Writing, and Digital & Creative Media. 

Students will:

• Design and complete a project that helps to amplify Sikh stories, raise awareness of Sikhism, or improve understanding of Sikhs in K-12 schools. 
• Participate in weekly seminars (online) with their cohort to develop knowledge and skills around:
  • professional communication
  • creating content for specific audiences
  • cultural and religious literacy
• Present their final project to their cohort, KF leaders, and other community leaders
• Receive a stipend

Eligibility:

• Rising 11th and 12th graders, and college students
• Enrolled in an educational institution in the United States

​To Apply:
Complete the application, including the following materials, by April 11, 2022: 

• Current resume 
• Short Answer Questions (200-400 words):
  • What are your academic and/or career goals and how will this experience support those goals?
  • Why is cultural and religious literacy important to you?
  • Description of a project that you would be interested in working on (see below for areas of work and suggested project topics). 
• (optional) Sample of previous work relevant to the project category you are applying for;
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher, employer or other mentor (to be submitted by recommender via separate form)
  • Student applications are due April 11. We will accept letters of recommendations until April 18.
    

Apply NOw

FAQs:
Do I have to be a Sikh to apply?
No! We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are interested in promoting cultural and religious literacy. 

What are the intern responsibilities?

• Each intern will be assigned a project to develop and complete by the end of the program.
• Additional smaller tasks may also be assigned as needed;
• Work on projects approximately 10-15 hours per week;
• Maintain regular communication with supervisors;
• Participate in weekly group online meetings for training, progress updates, and community building.

What if I have an idea outside of the example projects listed below?
Tell us all about it in your application! The example projects are there to get you inspired and start thinking about what you would like to do. If your idea is beyond the three areas of work, we would still like to hear about it. While these areas represent our current priorities, we are open to exploring other projects as well.

Where will the internship take place?
All internships will be virtual in 2022. Interns will meet online as a group weekly and with supervisors regularly. Group meetings will be arranged during regular working hours for US-based time-zones. 

What are the costs associated with participating in this program?
There is no cost to apply or participate in this program. Participants will receive a stipend of $1,000.

Learn More about the Areas of Work & Possible Projects:

Curriculum Development & Research

Communications & WRiting

Digital & Creative Media

 

Internship Areas

Curriculum Development & Research --
This is your opportunity to imagine the lessons that you wish had been included in your previous school experiences and then help create the resources to bring them to life in classrooms around the country. What do you wish your classmates or teachers had known about Sikhs when you were in their classes? The heart of Kaur Foundation has always been our classroom resources and programs to help teachers increase their knowledge about Sikhism. Interns in this area will work on existing and new curriculum materials, as well as research projects that support our work in school districts across the country. 
Example Projects:

• Create a library of contemporary media sources to be used with classroom materials;
• Research historical events and figures to develop primary and secondary source sets for teachers to integrate into their curriculum;
• Design a set of professional development materials for educators and administrators to learn the basics of Sikhism;
• Develop lessons and classroom materials that use visual and performing arts to teach about Sikh history, individuals, or current events.

 

 

Communications & Writing --
Stories and narratives teach us about how to live together and impart critical knowledge. Use your writing and storytelling skills to celebrate the achievements of Sikh students, educators, and other community members and bring attention to issues of concern to Sikhs in the US and around the world. Communications interns will advance the message of Kaur Foundation through both public facing communications and materials that will be used in our classroom materials. 
Example Projects:

• Produce a series of interviews with community members, fellow students, educators to be published through the year;
• Write a series of blog posts about Sikh-American experiences;
• Plan a social media campaign to encourage cultural and religious literacy, create awareness around an event or holiday, or to highlight individuals or organizations making a difference in their community;
• Create backgrounders and fact sheets on issues of concerns to the Sikh-American community.

Digital & Creative Media --
Apply to your creative talents to showcase the Sikh-American experience through authentic and engaging media.  Your skills in photography, video production, graphic design, illustration, or another medium can promote understanding and cultural and religious literacy for a wide audience. We are always looking for new and creative ways to generate understanding about Sikhs and bring our materials to life with images, videos, and other content. 
Example Projects:

• Create a photo essay(s) illustrating the everyday lives of Sikh-Americans;
• Develop an educational campaign (e.g. videos, animations, posters, etc.) to inform students and/or educators about an issue of interest to the Sikh community;
• Organize a virtual exhibit of creative works that represent the experience of Sikhs in the US;
• Design a cohesive set of graphics and style-guide to be used in Kaur Foundation curriculum and other materials.