Award Cycle: Winter
Sigma Tau Delta is working with the National Book Foundation (NBF) to offer summer internships for current undergraduate or graduate students who want to work with an established and active literary nonprofit.
Over the course of the summer term, the intern will do meaningful work for NBF supporting the National Book Awards, their educational and public programming, communications & social media efforts, and nonprofit operations and administration. The small and dedicated staff at NBF ensure that interns receive the mentorship and experience necessary to progress in the arts or publishing industry.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Assisting with National Book Award entries and procedures
- Helping with the coordination of National Book Awards Week events and related materials
- Receiving and sorting National Book Award Ceremony RSVPs and related correspondence
- Supporting education and public program initiatives through event assistance, materials management, and program tracking and documentation.
- Contributing to the National Book Foundation’s social media outlets
- Editing of press releases and marketing materials
- Assisting at events outside working hours.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is a responsible self-starter who is organized, communicative, detail-oriented, proactive, and deadline-conscious, with a demonstrated ability to balance overlapping project timelines. Excellent oral and written communication skills required and having a passion for reading and literature is a must.
Eligibility
To be eligible, interns must be currently enrolled full or part time at a college or university for the duration of their internship and be an active member of Sigma Tau Delta.
Important Notes:
- Internships at the National Book Foundation take place in a hybrid work setting in New York City, with interns maintaining a regular remote schedule while also coming into the offices at 90 Broad Street or attending in-person events on a semi-regular, as needed basis. Interns are required to work at the National Book Foundation’s New York City offices a few times per week.
- Food, housing, and transportation are the responsibility of the selected intern.
How to Apply
Applications for the National Book Foundation Internship are accepted through AwardSpring. The link to access the Sigma Tau Delta AwardSpring platform will be posted on the AwardSpring Application informational page of our website during the Winter Awards Cycle.
If you are using AwardSpring for the first time, you must create an account by clicking “Register.” If you have used AwardSpring previously, you should login using your email address and existing password.
Required Materials
1. Cover Letter
In your cover letter, be sure to include: your relationship to books and reading, why you are interested in interning for NBF, and skills and experiences you would bring to the internship.
2. Resume/CV
3. Essay Questions
- Describe your service to, and involvement in, Sigma Tau Delta and how it prepares you for this internship (max. 250 words)
- What have you learned from a previous leadership role or work experience that will add value to your time as an intern at the National Book Foundation? (max. 250 words)
- What do you hope to achieve from the National Book Foundation Internship experience? (max. 250 words)
4. Confirmation
Applicants must confirm that they will be able to intern at the National Book during the dates provided and that you understand that, if selected, you will be expected to work from the National Book Foundation’s New York City offices a few times per week.
Stipend Award and Blog Requirement
Sigma Tau Delta provides a $1,500 stipend paid at the end of the first week of the internship.
The National Book Foundation offers a $3,570 internship stipend; 50% is paid mid-way through the internship, with the final payment made at the end.
A follow-up blog is required from Sigma Tau Delta members who are selected as National Book Foundation interns. The blog is an article (400-600 words) for WORDY by Nature, the official Society blog, sharing such things as how the internship contributed to their professional growth or field of study; its impact on their future career plans; and the importance of the funding to the internship experience.
Past Internship Recipient Blogs
Check out blog posts submitted by past recipients of various Sigma Tau Delta internship opportunities to gain inspiration for your internship applications.
View: Past Internship Recipient Blogs
Questions
Please contact the Central Office staff at sigmatdapply@niu.edu.
