Audio Internship

How To Apply

Please send a resume and a brief cover letter, and examples of your audio/creative work to apply@rdi.org. Please also indicate your desired hours per week and start date in your cover letter. We are recruiting on a rolling basis. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

In the subject line, please write “Audio Internship” followed by your full name.

The Renew Democracy Initiative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Us

The Renew Democracy Initiative (RDI) is dedicated to creating a movement based on rational discourse and political liberalism, both of which have come under threat from across the political spectrum. Founded by a diverse, cross-partisan group of leaders, including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov; Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Bob Kerrey; and Pulitzer Prize winners Anne Applebaum and Bret Stephens, we are committed to data-driven decision-making and combatting the twin threats of far-left and far-right radicalism. Our Board and extended network give us unique credibility and a global perspective as we educate people about core liberal principles and empower them to prioritize these values in their civic behavior. We have a small, tight-knit team, so interns will have the unique opportunity to work on high-level projects and partnerships and make a personal impact on American democracy. As a start-up organization, we have an “all hands on deck” approach, and interns should expect to play multiple roles, handling a mix of substantive and administrative responsibilities.

About The Role

This role will involve working on some combination of the following responsibilities. Please be sure to review examples of our work including our newsletters, Defining Democracy narratives, and videos prior to applying!
Driving video narratives with audio productions including music, sound design, and voiceover that fulfills RDI vision and overall aesthetic
Mixing and mastering content that is structured with dialogue, music, and sound effects
Organizing media remotely and structuring audio files coherently between video production teams
Researching topics in relation to video productions in order to provide audio that is culturally relevant
Compositing music for social media content which includes utilizing instrumentation across several musical genres
Editing dialogue by removing noise, de-essing, de-plosive, and compressing all within the recommended LUFS for social media and following guidelines by Broadcast Level Standards and FCC Loudness regulations
Offer insight on sonic branding that aligns with our mission and values
Creatively strategizing ways to generate positive publicity for RDI content
Assisting with the promotion of RDI video content
Communicating effectively and with integrity with a remote team across multiple time zones

Qualifications of an Ideal Candidate

Exceptional undergraduates, graduate students, recent grads, or those with relevant work experience are encouraged to apply
Knowledge of sound designing, mixing, and mastering is a must
Knowledge of music composition, music theory, and orchestration is highly recommended; or, alternatively, knowledge of how to leverage audio libraries, samples, and stock music
Experience editing with Adobe Audition/Premiere Pro is recommended
Knowledge of audio encoding and optimization for multiple platform releases
Flexibility in interpreting and implementing sound design and sound effects for videos
Detail-oriented to a fault
Strong belief in RDI’s mission and values
Experience thinking through effective distribution of video content is a plus
Knowledge of graphic design is a plus
Open-minded and willing to interact with those whom they may disagree with
Social, articulate, and a self-starter unafraid to take initiative with minimal oversight
Excellent communication skills

Logistics & Benefits

This is an unpaid, volunteer internship
Academic Credit is offered upon school or departmental approval
Our internships last 4-6 months, concurrent with the Fall academic semester, and interns can choose to work either full time (40 hours/week) or part time (25+ hours/week)
Hours are flexible and we are willing to work around your academic schedule
An opportunity to work closely with senior organizational leadership, including the Executive Director, as well as access to members of the Board of Directors, and other individuals from RDI’s extended network
A typical day could include spending a few hours working with the video team; sourcing audio clips, sound effects, and music; and collaborating with other audio interns