I interned at Voice Of The Experienced (VOTE) in summer 2011. After being involved with social justice work for several years, I was very surprised to arrive at VOTE and hear about mass incarceration for the very first time. I learned so much and now feel very comfortable discussing these issues. I was able to work on a variety of projects in the office as well as attend various meetings. VOTE's emphasis on expanding the voice of formerly incarcerated individuals and their loved ones in criminal justice reform is something that has stayed with me. I appreciate that VOTE gives its members a space to get out there in their communities and speak out against the policies and practices that are hurting them and their families. The staff and members are amazing to work with. It was clear they were interested in my growth as well as that of the organization. I enjoyed interning at VOTE so much that I went back to intern in summer 2013!
— Bernadette Rabuy, Policy & Communications Associate, Prison Policy Initiative
University of California, Berkeley Class of 2014
University of California, Berkeley Class of 2014
employment opportunities
There are no positions open at this time. Join our mailing list to hear about upcoming opportunities, and please consider volunteering or interning in the meantime.
volunteer opportunities
There is always work to be done, so VOTE continually incorporates volunteers to help build our capacity and share our knowledge on the issues. Our volunteer opportunities are rooted in the skills of the individual and the willingness to both learn and be challenged. We will grow your organizing skills and critical analysis of the criminal justice landscape in New Orleans and Louisiana, while building capacity and furthering VOTE’s mission.
internship opportunities
We consistently seek to host interns from New Orleans universities and communities, especially youth and formerly incarcerated people, as well as legal interns supporting research and analysis. Please see the available opportunities below. Don't see a fit? Propose an internship that utilizes your strengths and interests and send it to ilona@vote-nola.org. Interns are accepted on a rolling basis, and will be contacted accordingly for an interview.
Administrative Internship
The Administrative Intern will assist VOTE staff and members fighting for criminal justice reform. VOTE takes its guidance from directly impacted people, including current and formerly incarcerated people. The primary legal issues include voting, housing and employment rights, along with other systemic consequences of convictions. The intern will work under the supervision of the Deputy Director, and/or other staff as needed.
Media Internship
The Media Intern will assist VOTE staff in public education and awareness. Specifically, the intern will work on materials bringing social justice to formerly incarcerated persons through completing tasks ranging from basic administrative duties to more complex activities such as media outreach and web-based branding reform.
Legal Internship
The Legal Intern will assist VOTE litigation and policy teams fighting for criminal justice reform. VOTE takes its guidance from directly impacted people, including current and formerly incarcerated people. The primary legal issues include voting, housing and employment rights, along with other systemic consequences of convictions. The intern will work under the supervision of a J.D., typically for a semester or summer, with an opportunity to continue.
To apply, please submit a resume, list of 3 references and cover letter to ilona@vote-nola.org with your internship of choice in the subject line.
The Administrative Intern will assist VOTE staff and members fighting for criminal justice reform. VOTE takes its guidance from directly impacted people, including current and formerly incarcerated people. The primary legal issues include voting, housing and employment rights, along with other systemic consequences of convictions. The intern will work under the supervision of the Deputy Director, and/or other staff as needed.
Media Internship
The Media Intern will assist VOTE staff in public education and awareness. Specifically, the intern will work on materials bringing social justice to formerly incarcerated persons through completing tasks ranging from basic administrative duties to more complex activities such as media outreach and web-based branding reform.
Legal Internship
The Legal Intern will assist VOTE litigation and policy teams fighting for criminal justice reform. VOTE takes its guidance from directly impacted people, including current and formerly incarcerated people. The primary legal issues include voting, housing and employment rights, along with other systemic consequences of convictions. The intern will work under the supervision of a J.D., typically for a semester or summer, with an opportunity to continue.
To apply, please submit a resume, list of 3 references and cover letter to ilona@vote-nola.org with your internship of choice in the subject line.
We are grateful for our ongoing relationships with Tulane Community Partners, UC Berkeley’s Magnolia Project, the Center For Third World Organizing’s Movement Activist Apprenticeship program, and Avodah - the Jewish Service Corps, all of whom have provided us with interns.
