Speech & Briefing

The Speech & Briefing Intern writes the words other people say and the documents they walk into rooms with. It is the most demanding writing role available to an intern — the work must be accurate, persuasive, and written in someone else's voice — and it produces the strongest writing portfolio in the program.

Core Duties

• Draft talking points, remarks, and speech sections for staff and principals.
• Prepare briefing memos and run-of-show briefs for appearances, panels, and meetings.
• Draft anticipated question-and-answer documents, including hostile questions.
• Source and verify every claim, statistic, and quotation used in remarks.
• Adapt writing to the voice, cadence, and constraints of a specific speaker.
• Revise quickly against feedback, often on same-day timelines.
• Maintain the library of approved language, key statistics, and message frameworks.
• Support post-event capture of what was actually said for the record.

Role-Specific Qualifications

• Strong writing sample required; persuasive or spoken-word writing strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to write in a voice other than your own.
• Sourcing rigor — spoken claims cannot be corrected after delivery.
• Composure and responsiveness under compressed deadlines.

Standard Qualifications — All Internships

• Current enrollment in an accredited college or university; eligible for the Federal Work Study Program where applicable.
• Senior in high school, recent high school graduate, or GED equivalent.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and general computer literacy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable, punctual, and professional demeanor.
• Discretion with confidential and pre-release information; adherence to all organizational policies, including confidentiality, data handling, and workplace safety standards.
• Prior office or customer service experience is a plus but not required.