Writing Interns learn the fundamentals of operating in a cabinet-level agency while reaching out to nearly 21 million Veterans and their family members. Writing Interns take their roles seriously, as the content of each article is representative of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the veteran(s) highlighted in the piece. Writers serve on a variety of teams to apply their expertise to bring veterans’ stories to life. The major ongoing project is Veteran of the Day, where a veteran is highlighted on the VA’s social media outlets to honor each veteran. Writers also contribute to special projects, such as writing highlights for Operation Song, which is a partnership with the eponymous organization that tells a veteran’s story through song. Writers also write for A Veteran’s Story, which is written in the form of a narrative story of the veteran’s service. Writers also write special pieces on an ad hoc basis that cover different veterans or veteran-related events or provide important information about compensation, health care, education and other benefits. Writing Interns will often work with the VA’s social media platforms and accordingly use Salesforce Social Studio to schedule social content across these platforms.
A prospective intern should review articles on the VAntage Point blog (such as this sample Veteran of the Day article and this sample article written for A Veteran’s Story) to understand the writing style and minimum level of quality required. A prospective intern should have their own computer, word-processing software, a desire to share information about topics important to Veterans, and proficiency in writing quality articles on a wide range of topics. Prior social media management experience is helpful but not required.
Please visit the How to Apply page for application details if you are interested in interning in this department.