APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full‑time, paid internship program. Interns will join our Crisis Management & Litigation practice team, and will gain hands-on experience in managing reputational risk and strategic response planning, including monitoring media coverage, drafting communications materials, and supporting real-time client engagements during high-stakes situations.
This internship will sit out of our New York, Washington D.C. or Chicago Office.
Responsibilities:
- Support crisis, issues, and litigation communications work by conducting rapid research, monitoring media, and synthesizing insights to inform client strategy
- Contribute to scenario planning, stakeholder mapping, and preparedness exercises to help clients anticipate and navigate potential crises
- Assist in drafting holding statements, Q&As, backgrounders, and other crisis communication materials for external audiences
- Assist in the development of client proposals
- Monitor issues, news events and competitor happenings
- Identify and compile lists of media contacts
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- A demonstrated interest in communications, journalism or political science
- Comfort in a fast-paced environment collaborating with a distributed team
- Excellent written and oral communication and research skills
- Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities
- Organized and attentive to detail
- Able to multi-task and approach assignments independently
- Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
- Available to work 40 hours per week
Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status
What are the core working hours and will I need to be in an office?
Our fellows work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
We are committed to a hybrid and flexible working environment, and there may be days that you wish to work from home and days that we come together so that you get to explore more of our culture and meet other colleagues. You will be provided with a company laptop so that you are able to work from home and in the office easily.
Compensation:
This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $18.40.
When is the closing date for applications?
Applications will close on Friday, October 2nd.
When does the internship commence?
Our program begins on Tuesday, January 12th and ends on Friday, May 21st 2027.
Careers at APCO
Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.
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About APCO
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.
Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.
APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.
APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate, build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.
By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.
Skills Required
- Demonstrated interest in communications, journalism, or political science
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with a distributed team
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong research skills
- Entrepreneurial mindset and strong critical-thinking abilities
- Organized and attentive to detail
- Ability to multitask and work independently
- Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
- Availability to work 40 hours per week
- U.S. work authorization; candidates with CPT, OPT, or Post-OPT status are not considered
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What We Do
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping organizations build the un/common ground upon which progress is made.
