Graduate Internship Program

• Currently enrolled and in good standing in a graduate program as a master’s or Ph.D. student, or a recent graduate of a master’s program (within one year).
• Strong interest in pursuing a research career related to marriage and/or relationship education, especially to focus on equity and cultural responsiveness.
• Topical interest in stepfamilies or LGBTQIA+ relationships.
• Able to physically or remotely report to one of Child Trends’ offices (Bethesda, MD, Minneapolis, MN, or Chapel Hill, NC) or participate remotely from one of the following areas: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, MN, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, VA, WV, or WI. If remote, the Intern must have access to a personal computer and reliable internet connection.

Interested applicants are required to submit their applications with the following components by 5:00 PM Eastern on Friday, September 30, 2022:

• Letter of interest (no more than four, double-spaced pages) that includes the applicant’s:
  • Contact information (name, address, phone number(s), email address).
  • Statement indicating how you found out about this program.
  • Graduate institution, program, and expected completion date (for current students), or current position and master’s graduation date (for recent graduates).
• Personal statement that:
  • Describes the applicant’s interest in and what they hope to gain from the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program experience, including their relevant educational and professional development goals.
  • Describes why the applicant is interested in research on (1) marriage, romantic relationships, and families and/or (2) HMRE program implementation and effectiveness.
  • Describes why the applicant is interested in research on (1) stepfamilies and/or (2) LGBTQIA+ populations.
  • Describes any relevant background, experiences, coursework, and skills that will inform their ability to center equity and cultural responsiveness in their work.
  • Describes any relevant research (quantitative or qualitative) and writing skills and expertise relevant to the work being done at the MAST Center.
  • Summarizes any specific class or work-related schedules or commitments that you would like us to be aware of for the internship period (January through June 2023).
• Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) providing information about the applicant’s educational background, publications, presentations, and any professional or personal experience related to the work and mission of the MAST Center.
• One letter of recommendation from a current or former graduate program advisor or faculty member that specifically addresses:
  • The applicant’s relevant background and qualifications, including training and research experience(s).
  • Professional development goals, interests, or needs pertinent to the goals of the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program.
  • Verification of the applicant’s current graduate program status or recent completion of master’s program requirements.

All components of the application (letter of interest, resume/CV, and letter of recommendation) must be submitted online through the Child Trends Careers page. If you have any issues with the submission process, please email a combined PDF to ([email protected]), referencing the “MAST Center Graduate Internship Program” in the subject line.

APPLY FOR THE GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Applications will be evaluated by members of the MAST Center Steering Committee according to the following criteria:

• Alignment of research interests with one or more of the MAST Center’s primary objectives.
• Alignment of research interests with one of the MAST Center’s population focuses.
• Professional development goals and the extent to which participation in the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program will advance those goals.
• Quantitative and/or qualitative analytic experience, writing skills, and other relevant experience aligned with the MAST Center’s priority areas.
• Demonstrated ability to center equity and cultural responsiveness in the applicant’s research or previous work.
• Letter of recommendation demonstrates the applicant’s background, interests and experiences, pursuits and accomplishments thus far, and professional development goals.

Applicants will be notified whether they have been selected for an interview by Friday, October 7, 2022. Interviews will occur October 10 – October 26, 2022 with notification of final decisions by Friday, October 28, 2022. The anticipated start date for the internship is Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

What is the goal of the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• The goal of the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program is to expand the pipeline of emerging scholars, including those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, pursuing research and evaluation professions related to marriage and relationship education.

Who is eligible for the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• The MAST Center Graduate Internship Program is open to students in master’s or Ph.D. programs, as well as individuals who completed a master’s program within the last year.

What is the duration of the program? Are the dates of the flexible?

• The program will span an approximately six-month period from January through June 2023. We recognize that academic and work schedules vary considerably. As such, the specific dates of the program can be negotiated, as necessary, to match the selected applicant’s academic or work schedule, while still meeting the requirements of the Internship Program. A suggested start date is January 17, 2023. We estimate that the Interns will spend approximately one day a week, on average, on MAST Center-related activities.

What is expected of me as a MAST Center Graduate Intern?

Interns will:

• Work with the MAST Center’s Child Trends team to develop and implement a work plan that supports ongoing MAST Center research or building capacity activities and that is aligned with the individual’s skills and interests. This work will contribute to the research knowledge base in 1) marriage, romantic relationships, and families; and 2) HMRE program implementation and effectiveness, with a specific focus on stepfamilies or LGBTQIA+ populations.
• Be matched with one of the MAST Center’s Child Trends team members who will serve as a mentor. Mentors will work with the Interns to identify the scope of the work to be completed during the program. The Interns will also receive support from other MAST Center staff, as appropriate, to further support their overall professional development goals.
• Meet with their mentor (in person, by phone, or by videoconference) call to develop their Initial Work Plan and present their proposed work plan to the MAST Center Steering Committee at the beginning of the program. The Interns will also submit a Progress Report at the mid-point of their program and a Final Report at the end, summarizing their experience and documenting the completion of any specific reports, briefs, or other products proposed in their work plan.
• As appropriate, contribute to other capacity building and/or research products or activities that are part of the MAST Center’s work plan.
• Participate by phone or videoconference call in the monthly MAST Center Steering Committee meetings, as appropriate, for tasks outlined in the Intern’s work plan.

What type of guidance/oversight will be available to me as an Intern?

• The Intern will be matched with one of the MAST Center’s Child Trends team members (their mentor) to further develop and/or expand upon ongoing work within the MAST Center’s primary objectives. Interns may also receive support from other MAST Center staff, as appropriate, to support professional development.
• Interns will attend the monthly Steering Committee calls of the MAST Center, as needed, to support their work. The Interns will receive feedback on their work from the MAST Center’s Steering Committee.
• The MAST Center will facilitate the Interns’ connections to other emerging scholars, researchers in the field, key organizations, and Federal agencies that may be of interest to the Interns’ longer-term professional development.

Where is the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program located?

• The MAST Center Graduate Internship Program can support an on-site or remote intern currently located near one of Child Trends’ physical office locations in Bethesda, MD, Minneapolis, MN, or Chapel Hill, NC. Interns can also participate remotely if they are located in one of the following areas: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, MN, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, VT, VA, WV, or WI. Interns who participate remotely must have access to a personal computer and reliable internet connection. Whether on-site or remote, the Interns will have regular check-ins with their mentor and MAST Center leadership.
• Unfortunately, if your state is not listed, we are not able to support a remote position in your state at this time

How much are the MAST Center Graduate Interns paid?

• The Intern will be paid $25 per hour up to $4,000 total for the internship period. We estimate that the average time commitment for program related activities will be approximately one day per week for roughly six months (January through June 2023).

How many MAST Center Graduate Interns will be funded this year?

The MAST Center anticipates selecting two Interns for 2023.

I have other projects and grants underway. Will it still be possible for me to continue work on them during the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• The internship is expected to occur concurrently with graduate school or outside post graduate work. We estimate that the time commitment devoted to internship activities will be approximately one day a week.

Who should apply for the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• Individuals enrolled in master’s or Ph.D. programs, as well as individuals who completed a master’s program within the last year, who have a strong interest in pursuing a research careers related to marriage and/or relationship education, with a focus on equity and cultural responsiveness, should apply.

Can undergraduates or post-docs apply for the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• No, the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program is currently only open to individuals enrolled in master’s or Ph.D. programs, as well as individuals who completed a master’s program within the last year.

Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen to apply for the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• The position does not have citizenship requirements. However, the Intern must be authorized to work in the United States and will be asked to complete USCIS form i-9 on their first day.

How do I know if my research and evaluation interests are a good fit with the MAST Center?

• The MAST Center conducts research on marriage and romantic relationships in the U.S. and HMRE programs designed to strengthen these relationships. Please see the description of the MAST Center and our research areas to determine if your interests are a good fit. The MAST Center is funded by the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) Office of Planning, Research & Evaluation (OPRE). You can learn more about OPRE’s HMRE initiatives here.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the MAST Center Graduate Internship Program?

• If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] and [email protected] referencing the position in the subject line. No phone calls please.

APPLY FOR THE GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Matthew Rivas-Koehl is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on the promotion of health and satisfaction in romantic relationships, particularly for LGBTQ families.

Menglin Wei is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University. Her research focuses on couple relationships, their health behaviors and health co-regulation, with a specific focus on relationship education programming and evaluation.

Positions and affiliations listed are from the time of the internship.

2022

• Elvis Gyan, a PhD student in the Department of Family Science and Human Development at Monclair State University.
• Tia Dickerson, a PhD student in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Howard University.

2021

• Langou Lian, PhD student in the Department of Sociology at University of California, Irvine.
• Priscilla Zambrano, masters student at Texas State University in Human Development and Family Sciences program (concentration in Program Administration and Evaluation).

LEEAD

• Rachel Powell, Senior Program Officer at the CDC Foundation.

2020

• Lindsay Anderson, PhD candidate in the Department of Organizational Leadership and Policy Development (concentration in Evaluation Studies) at the University of Minnesota.