Content Design Intern (Social Media)

Who We Are

Emerge Career's mission is to break the cycle of poverty and incarceration. Through an all-in-one platform deeply embedded within the criminal justice system, we recruit, train, and place justice-impacted individuals into life-changing careers.

Our vision is to become the country's unified workforce development system. Today, the federal government spends billions annually on education and training programs, yet only 70% of participants graduate, just 38.6% secure training-related employment, and average first-year earnings hover around $34,708.

By contrast, our small team has already outperformed the job centers in two entire states. With an 89% graduation rate and 92% of graduates securing training-related employment, our alumni aren't just getting jobs—they're launching new lives with average first-year earnings of $77,352. The results speak for themselves, and we're just getting started.

Our students are at the heart of our work. Their journeys have captured national attention on CBS, NBC, and in The Boston Globe, and our programs now serve entire states and cities. Our vision has attracted support from Alexis Ohanian (776), Michael Seibel, Y Combinator, the Opportunity Fund, and public figures like Diana Taurasi, Deandre Ayton, and Marshawn Lynch.

About the Role

We're looking for a Content Associate to make Emerge impossible to ignore. This role is the engine behind our content strategy—you'll create compelling video and social content that drives student sign-ups, engages partners, and builds Emerge's brand as the leader in second-chance workforce development.

This is an internship with a clear path to full-time employment based on performance and results. You won't be fetching coffee or doing busywork. You'll own our content pipeline end-to-end: capturing student stories, editing high-impact videos, managing our social presence, and directly contributing to our growth.

The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller who loves making short-form video, understands platform optimization, and thrives in fast-paced environments. You're scrappy, organized, and deeply comfortable turning raw footage into content that moves people to action.

Who You Are

• You're a visual storyteller. You see a 30-minute interview and immediately know which 60 seconds will make people stop scrolling. You understand pacing, emotion, and the hook. You've made content that people actually watch.
• You believe everyone deserves a second chance. You treat everyone with dignity. You know how to meet people where they are—with empathy and compassion—helping create a space where everyone feels seen and valued, regardless of their background.
• You're platform-native. You don't just post content—you understand why certain videos blow up on TikTok but die on LinkedIn. You know the difference between engagement bait and authentic storytelling. You stay ahead of trends without chasing every one.
• You're scrappy and autonomous. You don't wait for perfect conditions. If you need footage, you figure out how to get it. If something isn't working, you try something else. You're resourceful, low-maintenance, and comfortable with ambiguity.
• You work hard. You show up, do what needs to get done—no ego, no excuses. The team puts in long hours because we care about the mission and each other. If that sounds miserable, this isn't for you. If it sounds exciting, you'll fit right in.
• You love learning. You tinker with new tools. You're always rethinking how you work so you can keep leveling up. Nobody needs to tell you to improve your game.
• You're a clear communicator. You value precision, clarity, and brevity. You understand that good communication reduces confusion and keeps everyone aligned.

What You'll Do

Content Creation & Video Editing (60%)

• Edit weekly video content: student success stories, program updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and employer spotlights
• Create short-form content (Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts) designed to drive sign-ups and brand awareness
• Repurpose long-form recordings (webinars, interviews, training footage) into engaging social clips
• Build branded content templates and maintain consistency across all channels
• Collaborate with Program and Employer Engagement teams to capture student stories and partner highlights

Social Media Management (30%)

• Own day-to-day posting on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube
• Develop and execute a social content calendar aligned with growth goals
• Monitor community engagement and respond to comments and DMs
• Track trends and incorporate them into content strategies
• Use platform analytics to optimize for reach, engagement, and conversion

Brand & Growth Collaboration (10%)

• Work with Marketing and Admissions teams to create content that drives learner sign-ups
• Maintain alignment with Emerge's brand guidelines and mission
• Provide creative input for campaigns, experiments, and new formats

What Success Looks Like

• A steady pipeline of high-quality video content across all platforms
• Measurable growth in social media reach, engagement, and sign-ups
• Smooth, consistent posting cadence across channels
• Student and employer stories captured, edited, and published with high impact
• Emerge becomes recognized as the leader in upward-mobility training for justice-impacted people

Requirements

• 1+ years of experience in video editing or content creation (personal projects count)
• Strong proficiency with editing software (CapCut, Premiere, DaVinci, or similar)
• Experience publishing content across TikTok, Instagram Reels, LinkedIn, and/or YouTube
• A portfolio demonstrating your ability to produce short-form video content
• Strong storytelling instincts, especially for mission-driven content
• Ability to work quickly, manage multiple projects, and hit deadlines
• Passionate about working with underrepresented communities and tackling challenges related to poverty and inequity

Bonus Points

• Experience with Canva or similar design tools
• Familiarity with social media analytics and growth strategies
• Experience in workforce development, education, or justice-related fields
• Ability to shoot footage (smartphone or camera) when needed
• Experience using AI tools to accelerate content workflows

Compensation & Path to Full-Time

This role starts as an internship with a clear opportunity to convert to full-time based on performance and results.

• Base Rate: $25 / hour
• Performance Bonuses: Milestone-based bonuses tied to key program outcomes (sign-up attribution)
• Full-Time Conversion: Based on demonstrated impact and mutual fit