Digital Communications Internship Program

All internship and externship opportunities are unpaid.

Digital Communications Internship Program

Are you passionate about storytelling, photography, video, design, and social media? We're looking for a creative and motivated Digital Communications Intern to help tell the stories of one of the largest unified court systems in the country.

This internship offers hands-on experience creating digital content that highlights court programs, community initiatives, judicial events, and the people who make up the Circuit Court of Cook County. Interns will work alongside the Office of the Chief Judge's Communications team and gain real-world experience in public sector communications, digital marketing, photography, videography, and multimedia storytelling.

This internship is an excellent opportunity for students interested in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, photography, videography, graphic design, or multimedia production to build a professional portfolio while serving the public.

Responsibilities

As part of the Communications team, you may have the opportunity to:

• Design graphics for social media and digital communications. 
• Photograph court events, ceremonies, and community outreach programs. 
• Capture and edit video content for social media. 
• Create short-form videos for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube Shorts. 
• Assist with editing longer-form YouTube videos and interview series. 
• Help produce and edit videocast-style interviews and other multimedia projects. 
• Write engaging social media captions, website content, and other communications. 
• Organize and maintain digital photo and video assets. 
• Brainstorm creative ways to communicate the work of the Circuit Court through digital media. 

Qualifications

We're looking for someone who is:

• Creative and curious. 
• Organized and dependable. 
• A strong written communicator. 
• Comfortable learning new software and technologies. 
• Interested in photography, graphic design, video production, or digital storytelling. 
• Willing to collaborate, ask questions, and grow. 

Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Lightroom, Illustrator, After Effects), Canva, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, Final Cut Pro, or similar software is helpful, but you do not need experience with every program to be successful in this role.

Experience editing podcasts, videocasts, interviews, or YouTube content is a plus, but not required.

We value curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to learn just as much as previous experience.

Time Commitment

Interns are expected to work two to three days per week during the internship period, unless otherwise approved by their site supervisor.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university during the internship period.

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted at least three weeks prior to the desired internship start date.

Required Application Materials

• Resume 
• Cover Letter 
• Portfolio or examples of past work

We Encourage You to Apply

No one meets every qualification listed in a job posting—and that's okay.

If you're excited about digital communications and believe you'd be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We're looking for someone who is eager to learn, enjoys telling stories through digital media, and wants to build a professional portfolio while contributing to meaningful public service.

Interested in Applying?

If you're interested in applying for an internship or would like more information about the Digital Communications Internship Program, please email our externship program administrator Camela Gardner at Camela.Gardner@cookcountyil.gov.