ELEVATE is a paid summer internship opportunity where Appalachian students and recent graduates can elevate their careers, cultivate a deeper connection to the region, and innovate through meaningful projects that will impact their communities.
All current students and recent graduates attending a two- or four-year college or university in the Appalachian region are eligible to apply.
In alignment with ARC’s mission to help Appalachia reach socioeconomic parity with the rest of the nation, this internship encourages underrepresented student populations to apply, such as:
- Students and recent graduates of Appalachia’s 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs),
- First-generation students and recent graduates, and
- Students who live in, or are from, economically distressed or at-risk counties.
ELEVATE participants spend six weeks at the ARC office in Washington, D.C., supporting one of ARC’s 10 divisions, which participants select based on their interest areas and career goals.
In addition to being compensated for their work on engaging projects, ELEVATE interns receive employer-sponsored housing at a D.C. university, commuting benefits, and have educational explorations of D.C. landmarks.
Meet ELEVATE’s Inaugural Cohort
In June 2023, ELEVATE launched with a cohort of three impressive young Appalachian leaders: Stillman College senior Ta’Kari Bryant, Alabama A&M University graduate Gabrielle Cash, and Miles College graduate Brianna Davis.
Each made lasting contributions through their work here, and Gabrielle was hired by ARC partner Pathway Lending.
Watch to learn about their summer projects and what they learned.
Through ELEVATE, ARC aims to cultivate relationships with young leaders from overlooked populations and locations, co-create an experience and contributes to their educational endeavors, and introduce them to potential opportunities and career paths in the Appalachian community and economic development space.
If you have questions, please contact hr@arc.gov.
