The Collective Rising internship inspires, educates, and supports new leadership to make a lasting impact on the reproductive justice movement. Many Collective Rising alums want to apply the skills and knowledge they’ve gained in their internships, as well as other expertise they’ve gained in their career. That’s why we developed a space for Collective Rising program alums to continue making an impact on the reproductive justice movement by becoming a fellow and mentoring new cohorts of interns.
As incredible young activists, Collective Rising fellows participate in a 10-month paid fellowship program, applying their leadership skills to strengthen the program by building networks, supporting interns, and strengthening the reproductive justice movement nationally.
This summer, 32 interns are receiving mentorship from four Collective Rising alums who have navigated a similar path. Please join us in welcoming this year’s fellows.
Here are just a few ways Collective Rising fellows have made an impact on our internship program:
Supporting Training at Our Annual Activist Conference
Each spring, we convene hundreds of activists, including our incoming Collective Rising cohort, at our Collective Power conference. The weekend serves as a training intensive for the new cohort to prepare them for their summer internship and introduce them to the reproductive justice movement. The fellows are also establishing their own relationships with interns—laying the foundation for a supportive and trusting mentorship relationship.
Providing Career Support and Guidance
When taking on a new opportunity, there is nothing better than having someone who was once in your place to provide guidance and insights. For many interns, the Collective Rising internship is their first introduction to working in the reproductive movement. Fellows draw upon their own expertise to support interns, meeting with them in smaller groups regularly throughout the summer and developing a support system for them as they navigate new environments and workplace dynamics. Fellows also provide insights on how interns can effectively advocate for themselves within the workplace in order to create a meaningful and successful internship experience.
Providing Career Support and Guidance
In addition to providing peer support, fellows provide programmatic expertise. Fellows read intern applications and provide feedback on the selection process. At the end of the summer, fellows conduct exit interviews with interns. This provides an opportunity and space for interns to reflect on their experience in a collaborative way. Their feedback also helps Collective Power identify areas to strengthen or streamline the program. For example, interns have shared resources and learnings to incorporate in future Collective Rising trainings. Feedback and exit interviews help us meet the needs of future interns and keep our training relevant.
A mentor can be a vital part of someone’s professional development journey. Our fellows are facilitating an environment where interns feel empowered and have their experiences reflected by someone who experienced a similar journey. Mentorship also helps establish relationships long after the internship ends.
The Collective Rising fellows program is an opportunity to shape the broader reproductive justice movement. Fellows apply their deep understanding and unique perspectives from their past experiences to guide the next generation of activists. By sharing their knowledge and insights, Collective Rising fellows are building a strong network of activists across the reproductive justice movement. The connections that the cohorts and fellows create with one another strengthens future work and even other intersection and adjacent social justice issues.
MEET THE 2024 COLLECTIVE RISING COHORT AND HOST ORGANIZATIONS
Join Us in Supporting the Next Generation
Whether you are an aspiring activist, potential host site, or want to support reproductive justice initiatives, there are many ways to get involved. Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about opportunities, announcements, and program updates. Help us spread the word by sharing our internship program with a young person or become a donor.