## Communications Intern Report 2023 (Communications-intern-report-2023-v2)

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Communications Intern Report 2023 (Communications-intern-report-2023-v2)](https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2023/communications-intern-report-2023-v2.pdf)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2023/communications-intern-report-2023-v2.pdf.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2023/communications-intern-report-2023-v2.pdf.json)

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### Recruitment schedule and key timeline
- Recruitment Schedule in 2023:
  - 3/27  Application Submission
  - 4/4   Written Examination
  - 4/19  Interview
  - 4/29  Offer
  - 5/30  Internship Start
  - 11/29 Internship End

### Intern background and motivation
- Major and study:
  - Currently a four year at the University of St Andrews in Scotland pursuing a joint degree in International Relations (IR) and Geography.
- Personal background:
  - Raised in Washington D.C. in a multicultural household (mother Japanese; father Spanish and Puerto Rican).
- Motivation:
  - Passion for international development explored through prior internships and coursework from IR and Geography perspectives.
  - Desire to learn about international development from a financial lens and from the perspective of an international organisation.
  - Interest in exploring intersections of foreign affairs, international development, media, and public relations.

### Application process (stages and evaluation components)
- Application materials:
  - CV, cover letter in both Japanese and English, and two letters of recommendation.
- Assessment stages:
  - Two-hour written examination that included:
    - Translating a Tweet into Japanese.
    - Drafting a Facebook post in English.
    - Proposing a social media campaign for the 30th anniversary of the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia (JISPA).
  - 30-minute online panel interview covering communications experiences, internship expectations, and future goals.

### Main tasks and deliverables during internship
- Primary focus:
  - Created and posted social media content to promote JISPA and its 30th anniversary celebrations.
- Specific deliverables:
  - Interview highlight videos of five JISPA alumni.
  - ‘Quote cards’ summarizing each alumni’s central messages.
  - Contributions to building the special anniversary website, logo, and novelty goods.
- Additional responsibilities:
  - Supported preparations for Global Festa.
  - Developed interactive content.
  - Tracked social media insights.
  - Proofread key documents including the OAP newsletter.
  - Assisted with event set-up.

### Memorable experiences and workplace environment
- In-person engagement:
  - Completed internship in-person after lifting of COVID-19 restrictions; worked from the OAP office almost every day.
- Team interactions:
  - Positive interactions with colleagues over lunch and at the annual retreat in July (morning discussion session and afternoon barbecue).
- Field visits:
  - Visits to the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Japan as part of JISPA graduation activities; opportunities to speak with JISPA scholars and learn about their stories and experiences.

### Skills and lessons learned
- Communications skills:
  - Gained practical experience across newsletter writing, social media content creation, and event promotion/coordination.
  - Reinforced importance of clear and concise written and oral communication; tailoring content and format to audience position.
  - Emphasis on making posts brief, clear, and eye-catching.
- Technical skills:
  - Learned to use video editing tools to produce content.
  - Proposed and executed a new strategy to create and post more videos to encourage higher engagement.
- Professional attributes emphasized:
  - Creativity, open-mindedness, willingness to experiment.
  - Confidence, capability, and a strong mentality to take initiative and manage responsibilities.
  - Ability to collaborate effectively while working independently.

### Advice to future applicants
- Recommendation:
  - Internship recommended for anyone aiming for a career in communications within an international organisation.
- Expectations and workplace culture:
  - Opportunity to strengthen existing skills and acquire new ones.
  - OAP described as a warm, welcoming, supportive, and encouraging working environment where intern input is valued and reflected in outputs.
- Candidate qualities:
  - Must be willing to take initiative, adopt responsibilities, collaborate, and manage solo work when needed.

### Examples of content developed
- Social media posts and video content focused on JISPA 30th anniversary promotion.
- Interview highlight videos, quote cards, anniversary website elements, logo, and novelty goods.

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/oap/oap-home/2023/communications-intern-report-2023-v2.pdf_