Job Description

Job Posting Title:

COLA - Public Affairs Internship

----

Hiring Department:

College of Liberal Arts

----

Position Open To:

All Applicants

----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

10

----

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

----

Earliest Start Date:

Aug 16, 2026

----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2026

----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

----

Job Details:

General Notes

The internship with the College of Liberal Arts (COLA) Public Affairs team is designed to provide students interested in journalism, communications, and public relations opportunities to gain firsthand experience working on a variety of publications and platforms and to grow their writing portfolios. The intern will work closely with the Public Affairs team and report to the Communication Manager.

The COLA PA intern will assist the Public Affairs team by writing internal and external news releases, writing articles for the College’s award-winning online and print magazine Life & Letters, assisting with newsletter composition, and completing other communications tasks as assigned.

The internship position is not benefits-eligible but provides a stipend of $16/hour for up to 10 hours each week during the Fall 2026 semester. In addition, students may earn academic credit through the internship courses offered by Liberal Arts Career Services.

Purpose

Reporting to the College of Liberal Arts Communications Manager, the Public Affairs intern supports the Public Affairs team by writing internal and external news releases, writing articles for the College’s award-winning online and print magazine Life & Letters, assisting with newsletter composition, and completing other communications tasks as assigned. This role helps strengthen COLA’s storytelling and highlights the work and experience of college faculty, staff, and students.

Responsibilities

• Write internal and external news releases and announcements
• Research and write articles for online and print publication
• Write and edit newsletter items
• Complete other communications tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in-person undergraduate or graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin. Candidates must be registered for a minimum of 6 hours of coursework and be able to work in the U.S. without restrictions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, follow directions, and work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Familiarity with writing for publication is desired, though not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with writing and editing for publication.
• Familiarity with AP style.
• Experience working in a communications, marketing, or university-related role.
• Experience interviewing subjects as part of writing process.

Salary Range

$16/hr for 10 hours a week

Working Conditions

• Typical office conditions. May be required to attend events outside of regular office hours.

Work Shift

• 8am – 5pm but may be asked to attend events outside of office hours.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• A writing sample, such as an edited article or essay
• Contact information for two (2) professional or academic references

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

----

Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

----

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

----

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

----

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

----

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

----

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

----

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

----

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.