WASHINGTON DC OFFICE
1744 KILBOURNE PLACE, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20010
OAKLAND OFFICE
436 14TH STREET
OAKLAND, CA 94530
VOICE: 202-588-0632
FAX: 510-288-1325
VOICE: 510.525.9900
EMAIL: [email protected]
WWW.THEBREAKTHROUGH.ORG
Breakthrough Institute Internship
Fall 2008 Application
Breakthrough hires the best and the brightest students to work as its high-level
interns. Our interns have gone on to publish major white papers in journals such as
the Harvard Law and Policy Review and to found new nonprofit organizations.
Breakthrough interns earn $300.00 per week, and two will be selected for Fall 2008.
The internship selection process is rolling until August 1st, 2008.
Breakthrough interns enjoy an experience that is qualitatively different from a
typical internship, because much of Breakthrough interns' work involves research,
analysis, and writing that is substantial and substantive, both individually and in
collaboration with senior Breakthrough staff. Although at times we ask our interns
to aid with administrative office work, we highly value the intellectual contribution
of everyone in the organization.
The Breakthrough Institute (BTI) is currently working on several fronts – including
political candidates, forward-thinking philanthropists, social change agents, and the
student/youth climate movement – to advance a major federal clean energy
investment agenda and build a more powerful clean energy movement. Our
organization sees the creation of a new clean energy economy as the defining
challenge and opportunity of our time and the center of the new progressive
movement. We believe that the pursuit of transformative action to create the new
energy economy can overcome a comprehensive set of societal challenges while
achieving greater global prosperity and security, and that it exemplifies the type of
expansive and aspirational politics Americans need in order to break through issue
barriers and advance large, inspiring visions.
BTI works with its partner firm, American Environics (AE), which uses cutting-edge
psychological, social values, and cognitive science research to inform social change
strategies. The primary driver for AE services is our American Values Survey
(AVS), a nationwide in-home survey that measures over 130 social values and is the
Breakthrough Institute Summer 2008 Internship Application
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most sophisticated targeting tool of its kind. AE combines findings from AVS with
the latest research in the fields of cognitive science, social psychology, behavioral
economics, and linguistics, and to develop strategic initiatives, psychographic
segmentations, psychographically recruited focus groups, and other innovative
methods of engaging the American public in a new, aspirational politics.
Fall interns are expected to work 40 hours per week. The current rate of
compensation for interns is $300.00 per week. The 2008 fall internship selection
process is ongoing (rolling) until August 1st, 2008. The application form should be
submitted to by email at [email protected]. Please include a cover letter,
resume, and a writing sample of no more than 2000 words.
Requirements:
 Proficient writing skills in a variety of formats
 Solid research abilities and the flexibility to work in a wide range of
traditional and online sources, including multiple media outlets
 Ability to write clear and concise summaries of written materials
 Ability to learn about and utilize assigned theoretical and/or
methodological approaches to data (under supervision as appropriate)
 Comfort with numbers and basic statistics
 Familiarity with Microsoft Excel required, familiarity with SPSS preferred
 Strong organizational skills
 Ability to multi-task, manage multiple deadlines, and prioritize accordingly
 Attention to detail as needed
 Strong interest in American politics
 Willingness to participate in discussions about projects and to accept
modification of written work
 Ability also to work independently on assigned projects and to complete
high quality work with some amount of ambiguity and frequent change,
and without strict supervision
 Desire to work interdisciplinarily on a number of complex issues, the ability
to evaluate sources and evidence, and the ability to synthesize ideas from
disparate areas
 Computer Hardware/Software to be provided by Intern for their use: A
laptop running Windows XP or later, or Mac OS 10.4 or later; and
Breakthrough Institute Summer 2008 Internship Application
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Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Responsibilities: The specific responsibilities for this position will vary
depending on the current needs of the Breakthrough Institute. Some likely
responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
 Gathering and/or summarizing existing research and/or media articles on
specific issues, such as global warming or health care
 Drafting research memos as well as other types of writing to communicate
BTI ideas
 Participating in internal conversations about current projects
 Proofreading written materials and/or data
 Office work including but not limited to: photocopying, filing, collating
materials, and the transcription of interviews and focus groups
 Other tasks as assigned
Breakthrough Institute Summer 2008 Internship Application
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Internship Application
PART I. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date:
NAME (last name first):
E-MAIL:
CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
PERMANENT ADDRESS (if different than Current Mailing Address)
Street Address
City
State
Zip Code
DAY PHONE NUMBER:
EVENING PHONE NUMBER:
PART II EDUCATION
(check one)
___ undergraduate
graduation year (expected or completed) ____________
___ graduate student
graduation year (expected or completed) ______________
___ professional school
graduation year (expected or completed) ______________
IF UNDERGRADUATE
Major:
Minor (if applicable):
Degree(s) Received/Expected & Date(s):
School:
Location:
Dates Attended:
OTHER SCHOOLS ATTENDED
Name of School:
Location:
Dates Attended
(Degrees/Date Received)
Name of School
Location
(Degrees/Date Received)
Dates Attended
Breakthrough Institute Summer 2008 Internship Application
pg. 4
GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS
Field of Graduate Study
Minor Field of Graduate Study (if applicable)
Overall GPA
Degree(s) Received/Expected & Date(s)
School
Location
Dates Attended
OTHER SCHOOLS ATTENDED
Name of School
Location
(Degrees/Date Received)
Dates Attended
Name of School
Location
(Degrees/Date Received)
Dates Attended
PART III AREAS OF INTEREST/EXPERIENCE
In what issue or skill areas do you have a particular interest? Please check all that
apply and discuss briefly in your cover letter.
____ Cognitive Science
____ Community Building
____ Economics
____ Education
____ Energy
____ Environment
____ Government
____ Health/Health Care
____ International Affairs
____ Linguistics
____ Marketing/Business
____ Media/Communications
____ National Security
____ Opinion Research
____ Political Organizing &
Campaigning
____ Philosophy/Religion
____ Psychology
____ Race/Gender Issues
____ Social Justice/Poverty
____ Sociology
____ Statistics
____ Writing/Blogging
____ Other Relevant Areas
Have you taken classes or had work or volunteer experience in any of the following
areas? If so, please check all that apply and discuss briefly in your cover letter.
____ Cognitive Science
____ Community Building
____ Economics
____ Education
____ Energy
____ Environment
____ Government
____ Health/Health Care
____ International Affairs
____ Linguistics
____ Marketing/Business
____ Media/Communications
____ National Security
____ Opinion Research
____ Political Organizing &
Campaigning
Breakthrough Institute Summer 2008 Internship Application
____ Philosophy/Religion
____ Psychology
____ Race/Gender Issues
____ Social Justice/Poverty
____ Sociology
____ Statistics
____ Writing/Blogging
____ Other Relevant Areas
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