Marketing and Communications Intern

About Breakthrough Silicon Valley Starting in middle school, Breakthrough Silicon Valley launches talented students who have lacked access to higher education on the path to college, and inspires high school and college students to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and educators. While ambitious in our goals, BTSV works: a stunning 99% of BTSV graduates attend college immediately after high school, and 78% of BTSV Teaching Fellows are inspired to pursue a career related to education as a result of their BTSV experience.   BTSV’s tuition-free program provides year-round out-of-school time academic support, counseling, and advocacy for talented students from underserved communities who will be the first generation in their family to go to college. Through our students-teaching-students model, BTSV also provides a consummate professional development experience providing talented high school and college students the opportunity to expand access to educational opportunities, design and teach classes under the direction of seasoned educators, and learn about the K-12 system.   Located in San Jose, California, Breakthrough Silicon Valley is an affiliate of The Breakthrough Collaborative, a leading national service organization that acts as the national voice for 25 Breakthrough sites across the country. The Position BTSV’s internships prepare the next generation of leaders through hands-on experience at a nonprofit expanding pathways to college for first-generation students. As our Marketing and Communications Intern, you’ll help share the stories of our students, Teaching Fellows, and community while building practical skills in content creation, digital marketing, and nonprofit communications. With coaching and guidance from BTSV staff, you’ll gain experience turning ideas into engaging content that connects people to our mission.   Each week will bring opportunities to write social media posts and newsletter content, design marketing materials, update our website, and capture photos and videos at BTSV programs and events. You’ll help plan and organize content, support fundraising and outreach campaigns, and explore how different messages and formats engage our audiences. You’ll also support communications and event logistics for volunteer and donor events, including Resume Review and Mock Interview workshop. Throughout the internship, you’ll bring a portfolio of work while developing your storytelling, design, and project management skills.   The Marketing and Communications Intern reports to BTSV’s Development Events Manager.   What background and skills do you have?: * You’re currently enrolled in a two- or four-year college. * Experience with design programs, such as Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva. * Experience with photo and video editing. * Experience with social media platforms, especially TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. * You have excellent writing skills and are a stickler for grammar. * Proficiency with MS Office and Google Suite, including Excel/Sheets. * Ability to plan, organize, and implement projects with attention to detail. * Creative problem-solver with a can-do attitude; willing to support where needed. * Communicative and able to responsibly pose questions and ask for clarification whenever necessary. * “Breakthrough Spirit”: You’re a collaborative team player who is committed to excellence and open-minded. You demonstrate a desire to continuously learn and grow, think creatively to solve problems, and work with a sense of humor and humility. * Passion for Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s mission and goals   Bonus points if: * You’re majoring in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or another related field. * You have experience with Salesforce, Mailchimp, SquareSpace, and/or Asana. * You have experience with SEO and website management. * You have experience with event planning. * You’re bilingual (Spanish or Vietnamese). * You have experience at a nonprofit youth development or educational organization, particularly one focused on college access for aspiring first-generation college students.   We know that many strong candidates will not have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!   Location, Commitment, and Compensation This is a hybrid position; you will work both in person at BTSV’s main office at Herbert Hoover Middle School (1635 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126) at least two days per week, with the flexibility to work from a home office when in-person work is not required. Candidates must be local to the Bay Area during the internship in order to be considered, and must be available to work at the Resume Review and Mock Interview workshop the morning of Saturday, March 20, 2027.    This is a part-time (10-15 hours, scheduled over two or three days per week) position from January to May 2027, with the potential to extend into the summer.   This is an hourly, non-exempt position. The compensation for this position is $19 per hour.   Application Process Apply online through this site and attach your resume and cover letter as PDFs. Please indicate where you heard about the position in your cover letter. Applications must include both a resume and cover letter to be considered. Applications submitted without both documents will not be considered. We will review applications on a rolling basis.   BTSV engages with individuals of all backgrounds and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, BTSV is committed to providing employment opportunities to all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.