When we say that Invisible Children internships “Don’t do boring,” we mean it. We’ve given you glimpses at intern life through our intern spotlights, but this time we’re focusing on something different: the work. Invisible Children internships are unlike any other because interns here have the opportunity to accomplish huge, meaningful, world-changing work. See for yourself just a few of the projects our interns have worked on.
Name: Lauren 
Position: International Programs Intern
Most significant project: My job is to translate daily High Frequency (HF) radio reports (from French to English) that we receive on potential LRA activity in the region, and these reports are then entered into the LRA Crisis Tracker and distributed to critical partners on the ground. Since I am one of the first people to be notified of LRA activity, I was powerfully reminded of Invisible Children’s important work when I first received a report of an LRA combatant defecting back in late August. I translated the report and we eventually found out that the defector was Opondo: a 23-year-old Ugandan man who had been abducted by the LRA 15 years ago. Opondo had seen one of our defection fliers and eventually decided to surrender with one of our fliers in his hand. It was such a testament to the power and effectiveness of our programs, and I felt like I had a direct role in communicating his return to our office and to the world.
Unique experience that you couldn’t get anywhere else: Being able to learn from the people behind our one-of-a-kind programs has equipped me with an insurmountable number of skills in the field of international development, giving me hands-on skills I am positive I would never learn anywhere else.
Name: Matt
Position: Graphic Design Intern
Most Significant Project: The most important project I’ve worked on is the orange defection flier that will soon be air-dropped over DR Congo. In designing the flier that has both a map and escape instructions, I feel like I’ve been able to give LRA fighters a shield and a pair of speed boots. This flier will enable fighters to grow that last bit of courage they need to finally leave the LRA, but it also acts as a shield when they return to their communities: the bright color will act as a “don’t shoot” flag that they can hold over their heads when they go to meet community officials. So I feel very honored that I could design this tool that will guide and protect LRA defectors.
Unique experience that you couldn’t get anywhere else: Many internship programs are notorious for giving you “mock” work, but the work I’m able to do at Invisible Children is meaningful and truly useful. I know that the work that I do here will not only help the organization, but more importantly it will make a difference across the world. Aside from the great projects, the staff here is phenomenal, and I’m psyched to work alongside some of the most creative and inspiring minds.
Name: Justin
Position: User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI) Design Intern
Most significant project: My most important project right now is redesigning the Donation Page. It is absolutely essential that this webpage is perfect since it is the only way our donors support us. My job is to make people’s web experience more enjoyable, interactive, informative, and emotional. I make sure our users do not get lost or feel frustrated by our layout or the presentation of information on our websites. With the Donation Page project, my goal is to add an emotional factor to it so that donors can get a real sense of why they are supporting Invisible Children, where the funds are allocated, and the LRA-affected people who are directly benefitting from their support.
Unique experience that you couldn’t get anywhere else: I am getting more experience here than I ever did in any classroom. It is rare that internships ask you what you want to learn, and then provide you with every resource to ensure you get the experience you want. At Invisible Children, I get hands-on experience in an atmosphere that promotes my creative thinking.
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