At the Atlantic Council, we advance our mission of “shaping the global future together” by taking on global, generational challenges – those the next generation is inheriting.
To meet this moment, we are committed to fostering the next generation of international affairs professionals. To this end, we have relaunched our internship program as the world-class, paid Young Global Professionals (YGP) Program. This new initiative is designed to provide exceptional young people with in-depth exposure to international affairs and an opportunity to play an active role in shaping real-world solutions to global challenges.
We’re different than most think tank teams, and we like it that way! The Council is building a movement and we hope you’ll be a part of it. If this appeals to you, read on about how to join our fast-paced, global team of intellectual entrepreneurs.
About the program
Consistent with our mission of “shaping the global future together,” the Atlantic Council’s Young Global Professionals Program serves as a cornerstone of our vision to create a more free, secure, and prosperous world by shaping the next generation of global leaders.
This prestigious paid internship program for intellectual entrepreneurs offers hands-on experience working at the forefront of international affairs and global engagement. The program is also designed as a career accelerator.
Through two separate cohorts throughout the year, our program will provide driven, diverse, high-performing classes of young professionals the opportunity to represent the Council’s values and advance our mission with integrity in high-impact, global careers at the Council and beyond.
Program participants will receive in-depth exposure to one of our 16 programs or centers and become a valuable part of the Atlantic Council team through engagement with leading strategists, government officials, business leaders, tech entrepreneurs, and military commanders; exposure to the writing and editing process for publications and the logistical elements of event planning; and creating initiatives within a foreign affairs institution.
Our Young Global Professionals play key roles in helping our programs operate, from helping to produce high-profile public and private events, writing copy to amplify our work on various communication channels, to providing research to support task force reports, digital products or proposals and originating data visualizations.
Our program also offers orientation and professional development courses, including practical software and systems training, career development training, and participation in the Council’s Masterclass series centered around substantive current events and geopolitical issues.
Inspired by the Atlantic Council’s enduring purpose of working with friends and allies to shape the future, our Young Global Professionals Program is designed to harness the potential of rising young leaders. Those with expertise, a passion for the work, an entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented ethos, an innovative mind, and an optimistic and collegial attitude are encouraged to join us.
Program structure
Application timeline
| Fall 2024 | |
| Internship dates | August 5 – December 13 |
| Application posting | May 15 |
| Application deadline | June 7 at 11:59 p.m. (EST) |
| Offers and declines | July 24 |
Who should apply
The Atlantic Council’s Young Global Professionals Program is designed for individuals in their junior or senior years of undergraduate studies or graduate students with a passion for learning and contributing to the Atlantic Council’s mission to shape the global future together.
The Atlantic Council is non-partisan and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. The Council is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.
The most competitive applicants will be excellent writers and communicators with demonstrated interest and expertise in their fields, whether that be regional knowledge or digital and data skills. But they are also much more. They are passionate about their work, solutions-oriented, fast-acting, entrepreneurial, and resourceful. They understand the world’s challenges are daunting, but they are optimistic and natural team players in their search for relevant strategies and policy solutions. They are digitally native. The Council has a diverse, multi-lingual, and international workforce, but we are united by our aspiration to represent these attributes.
In our pursuit of excellence, we recruit those candidates who embody these characteristics.
International applicants
International students are eligible to participate if they are authorized to work in the United States, with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) as part of their student visa. International students with visas sponsored by an external organization, foundation, or funder are welcome to apply. The Atlantic Council does not directly sponsor visas for interns.
Location: Remote and US-based
Available internships
Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort are now closed.
For more information
To learn more about the Atlantic Council’s Young Global Professionals Program, please contact our HR team at recruitment@atlanticcouncil.org.
Testimonials
“My time as a YGP at the Cyber Statecraft Initiative has been nothing short of remarkable. From day one, I was embraced by a supportive and nurturing team who challenged me to think creatively and strategically which has fostered profound professional growth. Through collaborative research projects and event planning opportunities, I’ve gained invaluable insights and honed essential skills crucial for success in the cyber policy and capacity-building space. Throughout the professional development trainings, I gained valuable insights into resume-building, elevator pitches, interview tips, and how to fully utilize the vast networks within the think tank world.
My experience as a YGP has not only expanded my cyber policy knowledge base, but also instilled in me a profound sense of confidence and purpose. I am immensely grateful for the mentorship and camaraderie that have made this internship an unforgettable and transformative chapter in my professional journey.”
Grace, Spring 2024 Intern, Cyber Statecraft Initiative
“Learn as much as you can from the people around you and the publications you get access to, write your own blog posts, and network as much as possible.”
Marlene, Spring 2019 Intern, Transatlantic Security Initiative
“I chose Atlantic Council because I wanted to get internship experience in a variety of categories, regions, industries, and public and private organizations.”
Brennan, Summer 2019 Intern, Events
