CARE USA Internships and Fellowships – Opportunities for Students and Early-Career Professionals
CARE USA offers internship and fellowship opportunities for students and recent graduates interested in international development, humanitarian assistance, global health and nonprofit work. The programmes are designed to provide practical professional experience while allowing participants to contribute to substantive CARE projects and initiatives.
CARE provides both domestic internship opportunities in the United States and overseas internship placements through its country offices. These opportunities can be particularly valuable for students seeking to build practical experience, develop professional networks and explore careers in international development.
About CARE USA Internships
CARE USA welcomes students who are interested in making a difference and gaining practical experience within a global development organisation.
Domestic internships are designed to provide closely monitored, project-driven professional experience. Interns may contribute to substantive CARE projects and initiatives while also participating in orientations, training and networking activities.
Domestic interns may be placed at CARE USA Headquarters in Atlanta or at CARE field offices within the United States.
Through the programme, students can learn more about CARE’s history, vision and programmes while working alongside professionals in the organisation.
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a CARE USA domestic internship, applicants must generally meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be enrolled in a relevant undergraduate programme, with juniors and seniors preferred.
- Be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate academic programme, or have graduated within the previous six months.
- Students holding visas must obtain appropriate work authorisation through their educational institutions.
The programme is intended for students who want to connect their academic studies with practical professional experience.
When Does CARE Recruit Interns?
CARE USA recruits interns periodically throughout the year.
The typical recruitment periods include:
- Fall internships: August and September
- Spring internships: November and December
- Summer internships: April and May
Internship and fellowship opportunities are posted on CARE’s career platform. Students interested in these opportunities are encouraged to monitor the vacancies regularly because new positions are generally posted during these recruitment periods.
Applicants receiving financial support or academic credit from their educational institutions should indicate on their applications which costs they are able to cover.
CARE Overseas Internships and Fellowships
CARE also offers overseas internship opportunities for students studying global development, global health and related fields.
The overseas programme is designed to provide short-term, practical international work experience and help develop future leaders in international development and humanitarian assistance.
Participants can benefit from professional networking and training through CARE Academy, CARE’s online learning platform.
The programme uses several approaches to professional development, including:
- On-the-job training assignments
- Coaching
- Formal training
This combination allows participants to gain practical experience while developing professional and leadership skills.
Placement in CARE Country Offices
Successful overseas applicants are matched with assignments based on their academic background and areas of interest.
The matching process takes place on a rolling basis, meaning interested students can apply throughout the year. Most placements take place between June and August, although some assignments may occur at other times and may have longer durations.
CARE only places interns in locations classified as low or moderate risk.
Interns who receive partial or full sponsorship from a university must provide appropriate permission to travel to the relevant location. Before beginning an assignment, interns must also have health and evacuation insurance covering their placement and complete CARE Academy’s online safety and security training.
Eligibility for Overseas Internships
Applicants for overseas internships must generally meet additional requirements.
Candidates must have:
- Financial support from an academic institution or another agency.
- Legal authorisation to work in the country of placement.
- The appropriate visa for the internship.
- Enrolment in a relevant graduate or postgraduate programme, or graduation within the previous six months.
- Comprehensive medical coverage, including emergency evacuation insurance.
- Proficiency in the language required for the placement.
CARE indicates that ideal candidates may also have at least two years of relevant professional experience, strong analytical and organisational skills, excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication abilities and proficiency in another language such as French, Spanish or Portuguese.
Candidates should also be open-minded, adaptable and comfortable working in diverse and multicultural environments.
Application Requirements
Applications should generally include:
- A current CV or résumé.
- Names and contact information for at least three references.
- A cover letter explaining the applicant’s programme and research interests.
- A writing sample for assignments that involve substantial writing.
Applicants should carefully review the requirements of each specific internship or fellowship before applying, as individual opportunities may have additional criteria.
How to Apply for CARE Internships
CARE internship and fellowship opportunities are advertised through its recruitment platform. Applicants can search the available positions and identify opportunities that match their academic background, professional interests and location preferences.
Only successful applicants will be contacted. CARE notes that if an applicant has not been contacted within 60 days of submitting an application, the application should be considered unsuccessful.
For students and recent graduates seeking practical experience in international development, humanitarian assistance and global health, CARE’s internship and fellowship programmes provide an opportunity to gain professional skills while contributing to the work of a major international development organisation.
Prospective applicants should check CARE’s official careers platform for current internship and fellowship vacancies, eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
