The 2024 TIPS Intern Application is now closed.

Our application to intern with Teens in Public Service closed on March 4, 2024. Our application to be an intern in summer 2025 will open in mid-fall 2024. Sign up below to get email notifications for when the application opens!


About TIPS Internships

Since 1997, Teens in Public Service (TIPS) has been striving to support community-oriented leaders by providing paid internship opportunities at non-profit organizations in the Greater Seattle area. These internships offer teens practical work experience, an understanding of ethical leadership, and a venue to put their values into action; and, our nonprofits gain additional staff during the summer months, at no cost to their organizations. Internship service areas range from youth development to medical/hospital, to environmentalism, and you may be familiar with some of our core partners, such as Atlantic Street Center, Seattle Humane Society, and Hunger Intervention Program. Learn more about the TIPS impact in our “Be the Impact” video featuring interns and nonprofit partners here, and in a Seattle Times article featuring recent TIPS alum, Ryan Phi, here.

Who We’re Looking For

A TIPS internship is great for you if you:

  • Are aged 15-19, or will be 15 by the start of the 2024 summer program in late May, and enrolled in high school (graduating class years 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027)

  • Can commit to a part-time work schedule for 6-8 weeks during the summer months of June-August

  • Are available for 3 mandatory training dates (see below)

  • Are passionate about community, public service, and social justice

  • Have a desire to grow your leadership capabilities and practical work skills

No prior work experience is required to apply for a TIPS internship.

2024 Mandatory Program Dates for Summer Interns:

  • Wednesday, May 22nd (evening)

  • Saturday, July 20th (full day)

  • Saturday, August 17th (morning)

Location

TIPS internships operate at non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Seattle area, and we aim to make transportation to these sites as accessible as possible. TIPS provides ORCA cards for qualifying interns and commute times are taken into consideration when making internship placements. Below, you can find the geographic distribution of our 2023 internships:

  • 28% North (Lake City, Ballard/Fremont, Shoreline, Bothell, etc.)

  • 31% South (Rainier Valley, SeaTac, Sammamish, Renton, etc.)

  • 24% Central (Capitol Hill, International District, Central District, etc.)

  • 14% East (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland etc.)

  • 3% West (White Center, Georgetown, Burien, etc.)

Note: Some internships may also take place in a hybrid format, where 50% of duties and activities will be in-person and 50% of duties and activities will be remote. 

Compensation + More

  • Up to $3,200 in total earnings (Seattle’s minimum wage in 2024: $19.97 x maximum of 160 hours)

  • A summer’s worth of internship experience at a non-profit organization in Seattle

  • Professional development opportunities and leadership workshops throughout your internship

  • Ability to engage with TIPS interns from the past 26 years, receive mentoring from TIPS alumnus, and access a support system that wants to see you grow as a community leader

Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity at TIPS

Teens In Public Service is committed to fostering an environment of cultural awareness, responsiveness, and humility as we explore and strengthen equity within our organization and partnerships. We recognize that our effectiveness as a nonprofit organization and employer is only fulfilled through a commitment to diversity in all its forms, equity, and inclusiveness as core values and practices. Read more about TIPS commitment to this work. Members from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. 

Non-Discrimination Policy

We value our interns and the non-profit organizations we serve by providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by federal, state and/or local laws. TIPS is committed to giving interns of all backgrounds the opportunity to work and contribute to the organizations we serve and to the community.


Application FAQs

How do I complete my application?

The TIPS application to be an intern in summer 2025 will open in mid fall 2024. To apply, you will need to create an account on our application platform, Submittable. The application contains short answer questions about your interest in TIPS and what you are hoping to gain from the internship experience. The application also asks about your availability, transportation access, and skills to aid us with selection and placement. You will also need to obtain at least one letter of recommendation to be submitted by the application deadline.

If you are having issues with opening the 2024 Intern Application in Submittable, we suggest trying different browser sites (ex. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.). If you are still experiencing issues, please contact us at apply@teensinpublicservice.org or Submittable’s help desk.

What happens after I apply?

After the application deadline on March 4th, TIPS will review all applications. TIPS will then contact a selection of applicants to interview for an internship. Please note interviews are not guaranteed to all qualifying applicants. TIPS is a small, nonprofit organization with limited personnel capacity to conduct interviews.

All candidates not offered an interview are encouraged to reapply the following year.

What do TIPS Interviews look like?

Interview candidates meet with two volunteer interviewers to conduct a job interview for the internship. The purpose of the TIPS interview is for our committee to gain a better understanding of the applicants' skills and interests, and professional communication preparedness.

The volunteer interviewers then reviews all application and interview information to match teen applicants with our available internship placements.

When will I know if i have been hired?

TIPS sends update emails through the Submittable application platform to all applicants to confirm their application and letters have been received. Applicants should make sure they are receiving emails via Submittable (checking spam/junk/clutter/promotions or other inbox folders so they do not miss important communications from TIPS).

  1. Applicants will be notified whether or not they have been selected for an interview by the end of March 2024

  2. Internship interviews will take place through mid April 2024.

  3. TIPS will then notify all interviewed applicants of our hiring decisions through the Submittable platform by late April/early May 2024.

What happens if I am not offered an internship this year?

We encourage all applicants who are not offered a TIPS internship to reapply next summer! Reapplying candidates will qualify for the TIPS summer internship program as long as they meet our program qualifications and are still enrolled as a high school student at the time of application to TIPS.

Who do i contact with questions about tIPS application?

Please email TIPS at apply@teensinpublicservice.org with any questions about the program or application! We will aim to reply within 3-5 business days.