D.C. agency fosters diversity in public relations through paid internship opportunities
The Comunicadores for the Future program, a partnership between D.C.-based Vanguard Communications and The George Washington University’s (GW) Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, is providing paid communications-focused internships for talented Cisneros Scholars. Vanguard launched the program, now in its eighth year, to invest in the future of and attract more diversity in the PR and communications field. Since 2017, it has matched over 30 students with nonprofit organizations in the Washington, DC, metro area.
As part of the Comunicadores for the Future program, Latinx students participate in a nine-week paid internship, receive one-on-one mentorship and attend a series of professional development trainings. This support, states a release, builds understanding of PR, strategic communications and leadership development.
“Our goal through this program is to help remove barriers to joining our profession while contributing to making the world a better place through PR and communications. It’s been gratifying to see several former Comunicadores pursue careers in PR,” said Maria Rodriguez, president and CEO of Vanguard Communications and GW alumna.
According to the release, this summer, “six Comunicadores will embark on their journey discovering and exploring the PR and communications field at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Reproductive Freedom for All, Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative, Shatterproof, La Clínica del Pueblo and League of Women Voters of the US. Collectively, they work on health and civil rights issues.”
