Space & National Security Intern (Strong Writing & Research Skills)
About Protagonist
With our subsidiary, Parenthetic, we're revolutionizing how organizations understand and shape public discourse through our cutting-edge Narrative Analytics® platform. By fusing rigorous analysis with advanced technology, we help clients quantitatively analyze open-source media, deliver strategic recommendations, and craft executive-level communication strategies that matter.
Why Join Us?
- Impact Real Change: Work directly with federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and leading nonprofits
- Tech at Scale: Build solutions that process and analyze massive datasets to uncover narrative patterns
- Growing Team: Join a vibrant DC tech company that's expanding rapidly
- Collaborative Culture: Work alongside communication specialists, data scientists, and domain experts
Protagonist is seeking a highly motivated intern passionate about space and national security to join our team in Washington D.C. This position will provide support to DoD customers in the D.C. area. We are seeking a candidate who is interested in researching and writing about space, technology, and communication.
Develop and deliver high-impact communications guidance and research for DoD customers enabling mission success. Translate technical information to develop compelling documents, reports, speeches, and briefings. Analyze data surrounding the media environment and apply communications frameworks to guide client communications. Assist in developing communication plans and strategies that support executive leadership communications goals and objectives. Help leadership develop media strategies, responses to media inquiries, write press releases, and articles to advance the strategic objectives of DoD customers.
Primary Responsibilities- Conducts research and critically analyzes information to identify trends, patterns, and relationships. Applies relevant communication theories, psychological frameworks, and best practices to address client problems.
- Synthesizes open source research and writes independently on space related topics.
- Analyzes US Government speeches, websites, and social media communications and presents findings to senior team members.
- Drafts, reviews, and edits reports, documents, and briefings.
- Assists in developing and delivering presentations.
- Authorized to work in the US
- Bachelor’s Degree, (MA or MS students preferred)
- Must be able to work on US Government contracts that may be restricted to US citizens; existing security clearance (SECRET or higher) a plus
- Strong research and writing skills are required, including ability to synthesize open source research and independently write on space related topics
- Course work in international relations and/or a focus in communications and related fields is a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills; able to communicate complex problems with clarity
- Able to work independently as well as part of a cross-functional team
- Ability to meet tight deadlines, under pressure, with outstanding attention to detail
- Love working in a fast-paced, startup environment full of complexity, ambiguity and change
- Available to work a minimum of 20 hours/week throughout the semester
- This is not a fully remote position; interns must be able to work in our Washington D.C. office 1-2 days per week
Protagonist is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and offer a competitive salary, flexible paid time-off policy, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, and a retirement plan.
Protagonist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The internship pays $19.00 / hour or the applicable local minimum wage rate, whichever is higher.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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