George Washington Carver Internship

Agricultural hero George Washington Carver

The World Food Prize Foundation George Washington Carver Internship is an unparalleled professional opportunity for students interested in global issues of hunger, poverty and development. 

Under the supervision of Ambassador Kenneth Quinn and The World Food Prize staff, Carver Interns become an integral part of this internationally renowned organization and interact with World Food Prize Laureates, government officials, international experts in science and agriculture, leaders in industry and business, and members of local and national media. Through this experience, Carver Interns learn first-hand both the public and private side of operating an international non-profit organization and increase their understanding of the international fight against hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. 

Each academic semester and summer, a select group of highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students is chosen for this unique program, which provides interns with the opportunity to take significant responsibility and initiative in planning and carrying out a wide range of the Foundation’s projects, including:

• Graphic design, social media and communications 
• Youth education program/curriculum development
• Event/conference planning and logistics
• Issue-based research, writing and editing
• Museum programming
• Non-profit development and strategic planning

Carver Interns come from a variety of academic disciplines, including the natural and social sciences, agronomy, business, education, international relations, communications and graphic design.  Internship roles will be specialized according to an individual’s background, skills, and area of interest; and each intern will work one-on-one with a staff mentor.  

Successful candidates have: a strong academic background, a solid work ethic, a capacity for analytical thinking, impeccable attention to detail and excellent oral and written communication skills.  They are enthusiastic and flexible learners, capable of both taking direction and working independently.  All selected interns share a commitment to fulfilling The World Food Prize Foundation’s purpose of inspiring and recognizing contributions to human development through increasing the quality, quantity, and availability of food in the world.  

Interns are unpaid but may be eligible for course credit.  While a minimum commitment of at least 15 hours per week is required, the program provides flexibility for each intern’s schedule, and some interns choose to work full time. While start and end dates are also flexible, a minimum commitment of three months is required.


To apply for the Internship Program:

Please submit a resume, cover letter and letter of recommendation via email to Catherine Swoboda (cswoboda@worldfoodprize.org).  Submission of a writing sample is suggested but not required.  Inquiry calls (515-245-3727) and emails are accepted.  

Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, 
we must therefore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.
– George Washington Carver