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U.S. PIRG Antibiotic Internship

by Marissa M. Donohue on September 1, 2017
U.S. PIRG is hiring interns to work on one very big problem: stopping the overuse of antibiotics on industrial farms. This is the perfect position for someone interested in the food system, environmental science, public health, and/or political campaign experience.
Lifesaving antibiotics are too important to waste, but that’s exactly what is happening due to the overuse of these drugs. Industrial farms routinely administer antibiotics to livestock even when the animals are not sick, creating a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, aka superbugs. It’s the crutch of the industrial farming system, and it’s putting our health at risk. By 2050, it is predicted that we will have more deaths from antibiotic resistant infections than from cancer.
You will work on our campaign to urge McDonald’s to commit to time-bound commitments to stop selling beef and pork raised with the routine use of antibiotics. You will be in charge of organizing events, helping in our lobbying efforts, recruiting doctors to our Health Professionals Action Network, and will run your own petition campaign. This internship will provide you with great public health and political campaign experience.
We’re looking for students who care about solving the problems that America faces. As an intern with U.S. PIRG, you’ll help us educate and engage people on the important issues we’re working on. Whether it’s by getting our issues into the media, helping to grow our coalitions or organizing events, you’ll be helping us build the public support it takes to win.
If you agree that America has more problems than we should tolerate, but also understand that there are plenty of solutions to these problems that we should be putting to use, then you should apply for an internship with U.S. PIRG.
We’re looking for students who care deeply about solving these issues and are ready to make a difference now.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns will exercise independent judgment and discretion in the following areas and take on other projects as assigned:

 

  • Organize a petitioning event to gather hundreds of photo petitions/signatures to build our efforts to stop the overuse of antibiotics on farms.
  • Design and curate content for social media
  • Research political strategies and information about antibiotic resistance and public health to strengthen our campaign
  • Help to organize a panel event with the field’s top speakers, medical professionals, and food producer
  • You’ll learn how to analyze problems ranging from public health to consumer protection, to transportation — all while pushing for smart solutions and building the public support it takes to win.
  • You’ll work side-by-side with one of our organizers, learning the ropes.
  • You’ll attend briefings and trainings to learn even more about our issues and gain organizing skills.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

  • You have an opinion about political issues, want to make a difference, and are excited about calling out special interests standing in the way.
  • You understand that a strict blue vs. red perspective doesn’t capture the essence of many political battles. You want to push solutions that have broad appeal.
  • You sweat the details.
  • You have strong writing skills.
  • You have great organizational and time management skills.
  • You are the type of person that takes initiative and is excited about being creative with campaign strategy

 

Compensation & Benefits:
This is an unpaid position.
Location:
Boston, MA
To Apply:
Email Shelby Luce (RECENT TUFTS ALUM!) with your resume and cover letter at sluce@pirg.org 
U.S. PIRG is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status.

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