Mass Media / PR internshipAt — Higher Ground Youth & Family Services

\ud83d\udce3 PR & Mass Media Internship: Drive Social Impact & Strategy at Higher Ground \ud83d\udce3

Are you a creative thinker passionate about leveraging Public Relations, Social Media, and Mass Media to make a real difference? Higher Ground Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit community learning center, is seeking an innovative intern to help us expand our reach, engage our community, and secure vital funding.

This role is ideal for students looking to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit communications, digital strategy, content creation, and community outreach.

About Higher Ground

Higher Ground Youth & Family Services provides vital mentoring programs and services to youth and families in underserved communities across Orange County. We collaborate with a wide network of partners to provide holistic, wraparound support, continuously expanding our services to meet the community's evolving needs.

Core Responsibilities & Impact

The primary goal of this internship is to elevate Higher Ground’s public presence and engagement. You will be responsible for curating compelling content, executing social media strategies, and improving community visibility.

Content & Strategy

• Content Creation: Gather content and create engaging posts for multiple social media platforms (minimum twice per week) and post regular Stories.

• Calendar Management: Maintain a robust social media content calendar aligned with organizational events and campaigns.

• Campaign Development: Create and monitor ideas for spotlight campaigns and highlights for specific programs, events, and youth stories (with consent).

• Digital Presence: Take the lead on increasing traffic to our website and social media channels.

• Website Maintenance: Assist with updating the organizational website as needed.

Outreach & Fundraising

• Donor & Volunteer Engagement: Write creative content specifically designed to engage and attract current and potential donors and volunteers.

• Community Networking: Network with local community members and businesses to build relationships that may lead to donations and funding opportunities.

• Ethical Communication: Ensure all content adheres to ethical standards, protecting youth privacy and utilizing strengths-based, dignity-first language.

Professional Development Opportunities (As Per Intern Interest)

Depending on your professional goals, you may have the opportunity to gain experience in:

• Planning and assisting with a fundraising event.

• Researching potential grants and funding opportunities.

• Assisting with the writing of grant proposals.

Training & Support

We are committed to your growth through structured support and hands-on learning:

• Onboarding Orientation: Introduction to Higher Ground’s mission, values, culture, and clear expectations.

• Dedicated Mentorship: Weekly one-on-one check-ins with your Site Supervisor or PR Lead for personalized support, feedback, and reflection.

• Hands-On Skills Training: Build technical and creative skills through real-time application and focused learning sessions.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Strong written communication skills (essential).

• Ability to plan and execute effective social media strategies.

• Creative and knowledgeable about social media trends and content that attracts donors and community members.

• Strong team player with an eagerness to learn new things and think \\out of the box.\\

• Must be able to pass a background check.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this internship, you will be able to:
- Lead Digital Communication: Effectively communicate organization goals in clear, compelling written, oral, and digital forms.
- Apply Strategic Thinking: Define communication problems, analyze audience data, and demonstrate the ability to solve problems with creative
PR and social media solutions.
- Master New Media: Comprehend and apply knowledge of social media, content optimization, and digital trends to express organizational ideas and concepts.
- Practice Digital Ethics: Recognize ethical and moral issues in nonprofit communication and demonstrate the integrity needed to implement needed actions.