Communications & Marketing Intern

Student Communications & Marketing for the Fathers in Focus Conference: The Communications & Marketing for Fathers in Focus Intern is an undergraduate student position designed specifically for students in the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology. This role offers hands-on, applied experience supporting the planning and promotion of the Fathers In Focus Conference 2026. This position is intentionally structured to help undergraduate students build transferable, long-term skills aligned with careers in human development, family studies, community leadership, communications, and public service while contributing to a statewide conference with real-world impact.

Department Overview:*

UW-Madison Division of Extension is the branch of the University that engages in community-based research, outreach and education, and has educators in nearly every county in the state. The Extension Human Development and Relationships Institute provides outreach and education on topics like parenting and early childhood development, financial literacy, aging, caregiving and end-of-life planning.

Working alongside Extension professionals and community partners, the student will play a key role in helping to plan and carry out the tasks of the Communication and Marketing Committee with a focus on social media engagement, storytelling, content creation related to fatherhood and parenting, and participant recruitment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Experience with or strong interest in social media platforms and digital storytelling.
• Strong written communication skills and willingness to learn professional messaging and marketing strategies.
• Ability to collaborate with peers and professionals, manage tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with tools such as Canva, social media scheduling platforms, or basic analytics is a plus (training and support will be provided).
• Commitment to inclusive, respectful, and asset-based representations of fathers, families, and communities.

Position Summary/Job Duties:*

Provide significant support for planning, design and major tasks for the Fathers In Focus Communication and Marketing Committee in collaboration with Extension staff.
- Participate in regular planning meetings and contribute ideas, timelines, and task coordination.
- Collaborate with conference planning team members to align messaging with conference goals and values.
Social Media & Digital Engagement - Plan, create, and schedule social media content across designated platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn).
- Monitor engagement, respond to comments/messages as appropriate, and suggest strategies to increase reach and participation.
- Assist with maintaining a consistent voice that reflects strengths-based, inclusive approaches to fatherhood and parenting.
Storytelling & Content Development - Develop short-form stories, posts, and visuals highlighting fathers, families, practitioners, and community impact.
- Support creation of content such as spotlights, testimonials, quotes, reels, or short videos related to fatherhood and parenting.
- Ensure storytelling aligns with Extension values of equity, inclusion, and respectful representation.
Participant Recruitment & Promotion - Support outreach strategies to recruit conference participants, presenters, and community partners.
- Assist with promotional campaigns tied to registration deadlines, keynote announcements, and program highlights.
- Help tailor messaging for diverse audiences, including practitioners, educators, community leaders, and families.
Content Coordination & Logistics - Assist with developing and tracking a communications calendar and promotional timeline.
- Support drafting and editing promotional materials such as email blurbs, website text, flyers, or toolkits.
- Collect and organize engagement metrics to support basic reporting and reflection after the conference.

Qualifications:*

• Undergraduate student enrolled in one of 7 majors in the UW–Madison School of Human Ecology, and: 
• Have completed 54 credits prior to internship (i.e. junior standing)
• Have completed the prerequisite course, INTER-HE 202, and additional coursework identified below if applicable.
  • Community & Organizational Development: N/A
  • Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies: Cnsr Sci 257
  • Human Development & Family Studies: N/A
  • Interior Architecture: DS 322
  • Personal Finance: Cnsr Sci 275
  • Textiles & Fashion Design: N/A
  • Design, Innovation & Society: N/A
• Student will need to show proof of enrollment before starting.
• Curiosity about fatherhood, parenting, family well-being, and strengths-based approaches to working with families.
• Employment will require a criminal background check
• Employment will require documentation of legal right to work in the U.S.