places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, recent college graduates - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners , , and . 

The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10–12. See below for more details.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life. 

As the Graphic Design intern, you’ll work closely with XQ’s Product and Creative team, contributing to visual storytelling and brand experiences that inspire students and educators nationwide. This role offers hands-on experience in design systems, campaign design, and direct contribution to product innovation that supports XQ’s mission to transform high school education. You’ll collaborate with designers, writers, and producers to create compelling visuals that connect audiences to XQ’s work, while learning how design supports innovation, communication, and impact at a mission-driven organization.

Role and Responsibilities

• Support XQ’s Product and Creative team in producing campaign assets, digital toolkits, and brand visuals that inspire students and educators.
• Contribute to the design and maintenance of XQ’s brand and design system, ensuring consistency across print, web, and social channels.
• Create layouts, infographics, and visual storytelling assets for campaigns, events, and reports.
• Assist with concepting and developing creative directions for new initiatives from moodboards to final deliverables.
• Prepare production-ready assets and templates for internal and external partners.
• Collaborate with designers, writers, and producers to bring ideas to life across multiple platforms.
• Support the creation of short-form videos or animated content for campaigns, product launches, and social media channels.

Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements

• Rising undergraduate junior, senior, or recent 2026 graduate, preferably pursuing a degree in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field.
• Strong portfolio showing an understanding of composition, typography, and visual hierarchy.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and  Figma.
• Interest in branding, design systems, and creative storytelling for social impact.
• Strong attention to detail and organization.
• Collaborative spirit with curiosity to learn and take creative feedback.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative environment.
• Experience or interest in motion design, video editing, or animation is a strong plus

- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).

- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.

- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed. 

- November 18 – January 9: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis

- January 12 – March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended

- June 10–12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation

- June 15: Internship program begins

- August 7: Internship program concludes