Learning and Organizational Development Intern Fall 2024 - Third Way
Washington, DC
About the Job
This might be the right job for you if you…
- Are a current student or recent graduate with an interest in and knowledge of employee development and organizational strategy-building. Business or Human Resources degree preferred but not required;
- Are prepared to talk to people – a lot. Success in our program hinges on understanding how our employees think, learn, and work. Building connections and relationships with staff will be a significant aspect of this role, but ;
- Are detail-oriented: Your duties include maintaining internal communications, scheduling Third Way University courses, and other recurring tasks that must be consistent;
- Have experience with event planning: The All-Staff Retreat will take place within your internship, and we’ll need a lot of support to make it awesome! The other programs within LOD (Buddy Program, Fellow’s Program, etc.) also require some event planning.
- Have new, fresh ideas for training and strategy development. We’re always looking to keep our programming creative and relevant for our staff;
- Can prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines;
- Have strong computer skills, with excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint
In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for…
- Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
- Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
- Creators: People who foster divergent thinking and aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
- Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.
- Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.
The Internship Program runs from Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 to Thursday, December 12th, 2024.
Interns work part-time, in-person, and are paid $18.00/hour.
Third Way is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
Third Way is a national think tank that was founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security.
We are proud of the organization that we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.
Third Way's Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) Program is looking for a smart, creative, and enthusiastic person to work side-by-side with Third Way staff to cultivate and maintain Third Way’s culture of learning and belonging. Our LOD Internship offers hands-on experience at the intersection of professional development and program design. Examples of our impact include:
- Third Way University: Our in-house professional development program that meets staff needs at all levels of skills building.
- All-Staff Retreat: A two-day gathering hosted offsite for staff to connect with each other, learn about the programs, and understand Third Way’s goals and mission.
- Third Way Buddy Program: An onboarding process that connects new hires with existing Third Way staff to provide additional support throughout their 90-day introductory period.
- Nancy Hale Fellowship Program & Adam Solomon Internship Program: Two channels through which we bring new staff into our organization to experience our work and build connections with our staff and Third Way’s overall mission.
- Special Projects and Strategy Design: Individualized coaching and facilitation projects with internal (Third Way programs, leadership, etc.) and external (conference programming, meeting design, etc.) customers.
As a LOD Development Intern, a typical day might include…
- Maintaining the scheduled Third Way University communications to staff and leadership;
- Coordinating events and connection points for the Fellowship and Internship programs;
- Work with our Communications team on branding elements of LOD initiatives;
- Work closely with the Business Operations team to gain exposure to office management and operational initiatives;
- Spend time connecting with staff to understand where LOD can provide individualized or group support in their development;
- Crafting a long-term project of your choosing to present to staff at the end of your internship with us.
Daily Operations:
- Check-in with team: Each morning, meet briefly with Senior Advisor for LOD to outline the day's priorities, discuss any pressing admin tasks, and provide updates on ongoing projects. Check-in weekly as LOD team to discuss projects and upcoming events.
- Admin Tasks: Regularly update our project management platform, Monday.com, with the day's progress, respond to emails, and ensure all communication channels are up-to-date. This includes managing updates for the TWU courses and handling logistics for the Buddy and Fellows programs.
- Tech and Room Setup: Ensure all technological and physical space setups are ready for any meetings, events, or presentations scheduled for the day.
Meetings & Events
- Lunch & Learns (Monthly Basis):
- Early in the week, confirm the speaker, finalize the presentation setup, and send reminder emails to attendees.
- Post-event, send the speaker the presentation deck and a thank-you note.
- Third Way University Courses:
- Schedule rooms, send Outlook invites, and integrate these into the monthly TWU email . Prepare the venue and tech setup ahead of each course.
- All Staff Meeting Preparation:
- Check the availability of management committee members, find a suitable venue, and monitor the budget. Send out save-the-date and full invitation emails and coordinate meeting logistics.
Short-Term Projects
- Event Specific Logistics:
- For upcoming events, focus on specific logistic requirements such as catering orders, dietary restriction accommodations, and material procurement. As needed, help facilitate the running of the event.Quarterly TWU
Course Review:
Analyze feedback from the most recent TWU courses to suggest improvements or changes for the next quarter.
- Tool and Platform Research:
Research modern tools and platforms to enhance email communication and event management, focusing on features like RSVP collection, attendee engagement, and survey distribution.
Long-Term Projects
- TWU Curriculum Development:
Assist in the long-term development of the TWU curriculum, including researching new course topics, finding potential instructors, and developing materials.
- Fellows Program Enhancement:
Evaluate the current Fellows Program for opportunities to enhance mentorship, training, and alums engagement over the next year.
- · LOD Communications Protocol Overhaul:
Phase 1 – Discovery: Analyze current methods used to communicate with the team. Meet with members of the team to gather current strategies utilized in communication. Ask for considerations from across the team while formulating a new strategy.- Phase 2 - Design: Based on the initial assessment, design a new communications protocol that includes updated scheduling practices and RSVP management strategies. This phase involves drafting plans, selecting software tools (considering integration with existing systems), and defining new workflows.
- Phase 3 - Implementation: Test new communications protocol for LOD and bring revitalized strategy to the team. Focus on staff invitations, updates, reminders, and surveys.
- Phase 3 - Training and Documentation: Develop comprehensive guidelines for staff to adapt to the new protocols. Ensure everyone is comfortable and proficient with the new systems and processes.
- Phase 4 - Evaluation and Adjustment: Monitor the effectiveness of the new protocols and make adjustments based on feedback from staff and analysis of engagement metrics. This iterative process ensures that the new system effectively meets the organization's and its staff's needs.
*Please note all duties and events will require in-office participation. All Third Way staff are required to be vaccinated. This is a part-time, PAID INTERNSHIP. We are flexible with scheduling.*
This might be the right job for you if you…
- Are a current student or recent graduate with an interest in and knowledge of employee development and organizational strategy-building. Business or Human Resources degree preferred but not required;
- Are prepared to talk to people – a lot. Success in our program hinges on understanding how our employees think, learn, and work. Building connections and relationships with staff will be a significant aspect of this role, but ;
- Are detail-oriented: Your duties include maintaining internal communications, scheduling Third Way University courses, and other recurring tasks that must be consistent;
- Have experience with event planning: The All-Staff Retreat will take place within your internship, and we’ll need a lot of support to make it awesome! The other programs within LOD (Buddy Program, Fellow’s Program, etc.) also require some event planning.
- Have new, fresh ideas for training and strategy development. We’re always looking to keep our programming creative and relevant for our staff;
- Can prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines;
- Have strong computer skills, with excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint
In the Third Way Culture, we are looking for…
- Self-starters: People who see and seize opportunities, take risks, learn from failure, and will bring a sustained passion for our mission.
- Collaborators: People who work in teams—sharing ideas, brainstorming, co-authoring products, and advancing its shared priorities.
- Creators: People who foster divergent thinking and aren’t afraid to take on the orthodoxies of the left or the right. Team members come up with original insights, find unique ways to look at data, and challenge their preconceptions.
- Results-oriented: People who function with an organizational commitment to clear objectives, ambitious timelines, accountability for results, and a focus on impact.
- Respectful: People who embrace the diverse perspectives of everyone and fosters the values of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at all times.
The Internship Program runs from Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 to Thursday, December 12th, 2024.
Interns work part-time, in-person, and are paid $18.00/hour.
Third Way is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.
Third Way is a national think tank that was founded in 2005 to champion modern center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security.
We are proud of the organization that we have built and continue to seek out talent who contribute to our ambitious mission. We are deeply committed to promoting a culture of results and respect where every employee has opportunities to contribute, develop, and grow professionally.
Third Way's Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) Program is looking for a smart, creative, and enthusiastic person to work side-by-side with Third Way staff to cultivate and maintain Third Way’s culture of learning and belonging. Our LOD Internship offers hands-on experience at the intersection of professional development and program design. Examples of our impact include:
- Third Way University: Our in-house professional development program that meets staff needs at all levels of skills building.
- All-Staff Retreat: A two-day gathering hosted offsite for staff to connect with each other, learn about the programs, and understand Third Way’s goals and mission.
- Third Way Buddy Program: An onboarding process that connects new hires with existing Third Way staff to provide additional support throughout their 90-day introductory period.
- Nancy Hale Fellowship Program & Adam Solomon Internship Program: Two channels through which we bring new staff into our organization to experience our work and build connections with our staff and Third Way’s overall mission.
- Special Projects and Strategy Design: Individualized coaching and facilitation projects with internal (Third Way programs, leadership, etc.) and external (conference programming, meeting design, etc.) customers.
As a LOD Development Intern, a typical day might include…
- Maintaining the scheduled Third Way University communications to staff and leadership;
- Coordinating events and connection points for the Fellowship and Internship programs;
- Work with our Communications team on branding elements of LOD initiatives;
- Work closely with the Business Operations team to gain exposure to office management and operational initiatives;
- Spend time connecting with staff to understand where LOD can provide individualized or group support in their development;
- Crafting a long-term project of your choosing to present to staff at the end of your internship with us.
Daily Operations:
- Check-in with team: Each morning, meet briefly with Senior Advisor for LOD to outline the day's priorities, discuss any pressing admin tasks, and provide updates on ongoing projects. Check-in weekly as LOD team to discuss projects and upcoming events.
- Admin Tasks: Regularly update our project management platform, Monday.com, with the day's progress, respond to emails, and ensure all communication channels are up-to-date. This includes managing updates for the TWU courses and handling logistics for the Buddy and Fellows programs.
- Tech and Room Setup: Ensure all technological and physical space setups are ready for any meetings, events, or presentations scheduled for the day.
Meetings & Events
- Lunch & Learns (Monthly Basis):
- Early in the week, confirm the speaker, finalize the presentation setup, and send reminder emails to attendees.
- Post-event, send the speaker the presentation deck and a thank-you note.
- Third Way University Courses:
- Schedule rooms, send Outlook invites, and integrate these into the monthly TWU email . Prepare the venue and tech setup ahead of each course.
- All Staff Meeting Preparation:
- Check the availability of management committee members, find a suitable venue, and monitor the budget. Send out save-the-date and full invitation emails and coordinate meeting logistics.
Short-Term Projects
- Event Specific Logistics:
- For upcoming events, focus on specific logistic requirements such as catering orders, dietary restriction accommodations, and material procurement. As needed, help facilitate the running of the event.Quarterly TWU
Course Review:
Analyze feedback from the most recent TWU courses to suggest improvements or changes for the next quarter.
- Tool and Platform Research:
Research modern tools and platforms to enhance email communication and event management, focusing on features like RSVP collection, attendee engagement, and survey distribution.
Long-Term Projects
- TWU Curriculum Development:
Assist in the long-term development of the TWU curriculum, including researching new course topics, finding potential instructors, and developing materials.
- Fellows Program Enhancement:
Evaluate the current Fellows Program for opportunities to enhance mentorship, training, and alums engagement over the next year.
- · LOD Communications Protocol Overhaul:
Phase 1 – Discovery: Analyze current methods used to communicate with the team. Meet with members of the team to gather current strategies utilized in communication. Ask for considerations from across the team while formulating a new strategy.- Phase 2 - Design: Based on the initial assessment, design a new communications protocol that includes updated scheduling practices and RSVP management strategies. This phase involves drafting plans, selecting software tools (considering integration with existing systems), and defining new workflows.
- Phase 3 - Implementation: Test new communications protocol for LOD and bring revitalized strategy to the team. Focus on staff invitations, updates, reminders, and surveys.
- Phase 3 - Training and Documentation: Develop comprehensive guidelines for staff to adapt to the new protocols. Ensure everyone is comfortable and proficient with the new systems and processes.
- Phase 4 - Evaluation and Adjustment: Monitor the effectiveness of the new protocols and make adjustments based on feedback from staff and analysis of engagement metrics. This iterative process ensures that the new system effectively meets the organization's and its staff's needs.
*Please note all duties and events will require in-office participation. All Third Way staff are required to be vaccinated. This is a part-time, PAID INTERNSHIP. We are flexible with scheduling.*
