Social Media Intern

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

About the Role

This paid, in-person internship in Washington, DC (25–40 hours per week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Social Media team to expand Cato’s reach to 1.7M+ followers across Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

You’ll translate Cato research into platform-native posts/threads, create short videos and graphics, manage publishing calendars, track trends, and support analytics and digital advertising—advancing individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.

Responsibilities

• Help communicate Cato’s vision of free, open, and civil societies based on libertarian principles to a growing social media audience of 1.7 million followers across Facebook, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
• Attend regular meetings with teams throughout the building and help turn Cato research and commentary into social media content.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in sharing US public-policy research with wide audiences; alignment with Cato’s mission.
• Strong writing and communication skills with a clear, consistent social voice.
• Experience managing social media accounts or content calendars (posting, moderation, engagement).
• Comfort using native platform analytics and KPIs to guide decisions; familiarity with digital advertising is a bonus.
• Video and graphic creation skills (short-form edits, motion/thumbnail basics); Canva/Adobe/CapCut experience preferred.
• Self-motivated, organized, and collaborative—work independently and meet deadlines in a fast-paced news environment.

Finalists may be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing their social media and content creation experience.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.