PEN America’s Los Angeles office seeks a diligent, detail-oriented, and energetic intern based in the Los Angeles region for an internship that will provide experience in the development, administration, research, and curation of literary and human rights programming. This internship is a paid, hybrid position made possible by the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.
The internship is open to currently enrolled undergraduate (two or four year) and community college students who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County. Recent graduates may apply as long as they will have completed their degree between May 1 – December 1, 2025.
The programs of PEN America Los Angeles include a portfolio of efforts that further the organization’s mission of uniting writers and their allies to celebrate free expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. The organization’s post-COVID pivot has centered on community building, resource sharing, advocacy work, and the publication of timely information and tools on issues affecting writers. Programming includes online and in-person workshops, convenings, interviews, panels, screenings, advocacy initiatives, reading lists, and other resources.
Working closely with the Los Angeles Managing Director and Program Coordinator, the intern will also support programs including the Emerging Voices Workshops, PEN Out Loud, the PEN America World Voices Festival, as well as community, member, and donor cultivation events.
The intern will work approximately 30-40 hours per week from June through August 2025 and will be paid $17.87/hour. In-person work, when required, will take place at our coworking space in East Hollywood approximately one to two days per week. Several in-person programs will require evening and weekend on-site participation at various venues across the city.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interns will assist with a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:
- Support PEN America’s Los Angeles staff and programming with research, including literary and organizational list maintenance; drafting and copyediting invites, newsletters, and other correspondence
- Support PEN America’s literary programs team with research and administrative tasks related to the Emerging Voices program and professional development programming for early-career writers
- Assist with the planning and implementation of digital programs for a diverse audience, including but not limited to talks, performances, and special projects
- Create marketing materials for upcoming programs, such as web copy, programs, social media messaging, and graphics
- Schedule social media campaigns, digital calls for submissions, and events
- Work with PEN America Los Angeles staff on post-event follow-up, including evaluation, email list management, database updates, and post-program debriefs
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES:
- Interest in free expression, literature, cultural programming, human rights, the nonprofit sector, and/or advocacy
- Excellent communication, writing, research, and copy editing skills
- Demonstrated capability to work both independently as well as in a group; to prioritize, handle multiple tasks, and adhere to deadlines
- Willing to manage a range of administrative tasks, such as data entry
- Ability to create original digital media content and promotional materials
- Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Google Drive, and social media platforms; experience with WordPress, MailChimp, Canva, and Adobe Creative Suite a plus
TO APPLY:
Please email a cover letter (one-page maximum) and resume to PEN America Los Angeles at jobs@pen.org with the subject line “PEN America Los Angeles Internship.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please.
PEN America does not discriminate in its selection practices, and in order to build the strongest possible team, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.