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Position: UW-IT Web Content, Communications & Marketing Internship
Start Date: Approx. October 1, 2023
Length: 3 quarters
Position type: 14 hours per week
Rate: $18.69 per hour
Organization Description
UW Information Technology (UW-IT) is the central information technology organization for the University of Washington (UW), responsible for strategic planning, oversight and direction of the UW’s IT infrastructure, resources and services. UW-IT provides critical technology support to all three campuses, UW medical centers and research operations around the world. UW-IT partners with the UW community to enable innovation, learning, discovery and service.
As an intern in UW-IT, you will have a unique opportunity to influence a highly diverse community of students, faculty and staff, and to improve their experience in accessing, understanding and being successful in using the technology available for their work and study. Our work and strategy in UW-IT is founded on the belief that information technology, well-conceived, designed and delivered, is a powerful force for good at the University.
UW-IT is committed to fostering an environment within UW-IT that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming and that honors and values diverse experiences, perspectives and identities. We believe in a future that supports and sustains diversity, equity and inclusion in our organization and in the communities we serve at the University and beyond, and that includes taking responsibility for the language we use in our communications online and otherwise.
Position Purpose & Description
The Web Content, Communications & Marketing Intern will be a member of the UW Information Technology Communications team and report to the Communications Manager. The Communications Team manages IT Connect, the University’s central IT tools and resources website; produces written and multimedia content for various publications and channels targeted to students, faculty and staff; works closely with technology teams throughout the UW-IT organization to disseminate information to the UW community on technology tools, updates and resources.
This internship position will work with communications experts and with service teams to identify and create written and multimedia content targeted at the UW community, including students on all three campuses. This work will include social media and marketing content, editorial content for publications, creating and refining online documentation about critical tools and services. This work requires “translating” technical information into plain language that is easy for a general audience to understand and follow.
Position Responsibilities
The specific responsibilities will include:
- Work with communications experts to understand the needs of the University community, and in particular the student audience, and identify and create compelling content
- Help develop creative briefs, communications plans and campaigns, including developing objectives, schedule, channels
- Develop copy and multimedia for multiple channels and audiences, including IT Connect website, e-newsletters and social media, among others
- Engage with subject matter experts and understand specific technology offered by UW-IT
- With the help of subject matter experts and by understanding the needs of the UW community, determine how to create content about specific technology, including creating web content and documentation in succinct, action-oriented plain language
- Understand scope of story assignments; solicit information or interview subject matter experts; match style, requirements and deadline of publication; draft copy; shepherd content through necessary reviews; identify potential illustrations for copy; and size visuals appropriately for publication
- Learn and use writing and formatting style guidelines for UW Information Technology, and use best practices for writing for the web and other channels
- Learn and use technologies that enable web, editorial and social media content publication and dissemination, including WordPress, Twitter and Photoshop
- Ensure content conforms to accessibility standards and follows University of Washington policies and procedures
- Organize and manage projects and tasks
- Work under deadlines and deliver assignments in a timely manner
- Problem solve, exercise sound judgment and use critical thinking in communications and writing
Learning Outcomes / Benefits
The Web Content, Communications & Marketing Intern will:
- Gain experience in a dynamic and diverse technology organization with more than 500 people and more than 100 service offerings that support 60,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff at the UW
- Author content for a high-profile website that gets more than 3.5 million page views every year
- Learn about technology from people who are experts (and leaders) in the field
- Learn to synthesize and distill highly technical information into a form that students, faculty and staff can understand and use.
- Work on a variety of written and multimedia projects, including video, alongside experienced writers, strategists, web developers, video production specialists and graphic designers
- Build a portfolio (clips, videos, etc.) that can be used to land a job in the field
- Develop and build professional relationships and network
- Receive mentorship in a collaborative working environment, with regular reviews, goal-setting opportunities and check-ins
Requirements and Qualifications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience writing clearly and concisely for a general audience
- Understanding of how to follow writing style guides and willingness to learn Associated Press (AP) style
- Comfortable working in Google Docs and Microsoft Word
- Organized, reliable and attentive to detail
- Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ability to communicate effectively with people of various backgrounds and personality types
- Be able to work independently, be a team player and bring a positive attitude to your work and collaboration with others
- Willingness to work in hybrid work environment, both in-person and remotely using Zoom and Teams video conferencing
Application Process
We encourage you to apply even if you don’t feel that you satisfy all the requirements listed above. We understand that it will take some time for you to learn our tools and processes. Additionally, you’ll work closely with the UW-IT Communications team, who want to help you have a great student-work experience!
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 7, 2023