Summer Intern, XQ Institute: Content & Editorial

Overview

Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world. 

Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, undergraduate students graduating in 2026 - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED. 

We’re looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration.

The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10–12. See below for more details.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Opportunity

XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life. 

As the Content & Editorial intern, you’ll support XQ’s newly formed Content and Editorial team, contributing to a variety of writing, storytelling, and brand-building projects. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in education-focused content strategy, journalism, and communications while working with a collaborative team dedicated to reshaping the national conversation about high school transformation You’ll help craft clear, engaging, and impactful stories that elevate XQ’s mission—writing for multiple platforms, from social media to digital publications including our partnership with the 74 million, an education-focused digital publication. Candidates should bring strong writing skills, curiosity, and the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling, accessible narratives.

• Support writing and editorial needs as part of the XQ Content team, collaborating with Community, Product, Policy, and Schools & Systems colleagues as needed.
• Draft and edit journalism-style articles, interviews, newsletter content, and social media posts to share stories about XQ’s work and partners.
• Develop materials to strengthen XQ’s brand and communications presence—such as press kits, digital one-pagers, media contact lists, and internal spokesperson guides. Conduct a scan of XQ school and partner websites and other publicly available communications to ensure alignment with XQ brand guidelines. Coordinate with the Schools & Systems teams where follow-up is needed. 
• Map the high school transformation ecosystem, including cataloguing the different stakeholders, their areas of focus, and their brand positioning relative to XQ.
• Contribute creative ideas to editorial planning, social storytelling, and content strategy discussions.

• Rising undergraduate senior, preferably studying marketing or communications, English, or a related field.
• Prior experience writing or editing for a publication, school paper, blog, or other media outlet is a plus.
• A proven background in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
• Creative, proactive, and adaptable, with the ability to take initiative and work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
• Able to take initiative and drive projects forward independently, asking questions and seeking guidance when needed.
• Bold and imaginative thinker who enjoys connecting storytelling with strategy.
• Excited by working in an environment where any idea is possible and is driven to help execute to make those ideas happen.

Internship Details

Compensation

- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).

- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.

- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed. 

Key Dates

- November 18 – January 9: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis

Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET on Friday, January 9.

(Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)

- January 12 – March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended

- June 10–12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation

- June 15: Internship program begins

- August 7: Internship program concludes