Please check back for available positions.

To apply, please email jobs@ocie.wish.org

Be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn

Interns for Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire give of their time and talents to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. All of our internships are unpaid; however, in return for their hard work and dedication, our interns receive valuable training, knowledge, hands-on non-profit work experience, a chance to meet others, and the gratification of making a difference in the life of a child.

Academic credit can also be provided for students (specific criteria/requirements of the student’s educational institution apply). All interns must be a current undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a course within their internship semester (over the age of 18) with excellent written and oral communications skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to multitask and maintain confidentiality, computer proficiency, and a passion for the work of Make-A-Wish.

COVID-19 Update: Our offices are open to the public once again. All internships are planned to be in-person either at our Irvine or Riverside offices. We are no-longer offering a remote format for the internship program.

Our interns assist in various areas of Make-A-Wish alongside staff and other volunteers. The following are the current internship opportunities that are available for Fall 2025:

IRVINE OFFICE

The Public Relations Intern will assist with public relations efforts of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire while further developing skills in public relations, brand management, and written and oral communications. We are looking for someone who can commit to 8-10 hours/week. 

Responsibilities: 

• Craft wish stories to use for storytelling partnership pitches and grants 
• Assist with creating content for press releases and developing media alerts for upcoming events and wishes 
• Support marketing pitches to local news outlets 
• Support the Marketing & Communications Manager in cultivating and maintaining media relations 
• Attend and support the Make-A-Wish OCIE's signature event during the internship period

The Social Media Intern will assist with managing strategic social media content for Make-A-Wish OCIE’s various platform accounts such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

Responsibilities: 

• Participate in content creation including text, images, and videos to showcase wish kid stories, events, and fundraising initiatives 
• Work with the Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager to plan strategic social media campaigns 
• Assist with promoting Make-A-Wish OCIE's signature events while capturing content to highlight this and other events 
• Draft media to highlight and celebrate Make-A-Wish community partners
• Attend and support the Make-A-Wish OCIE's signature event during the internship period

The Wish Programs Intern will assist with various facets of the Volunteer Services program and Wish department support. This will involve duties such as onboarding volunteers, database management, and supporting communication/outreach to wish families and/or the wish granting process.

Responsibilities: 

• Support onboarding processes by creating files and performing data entry of new volunteers and interns 
• Assist with Wish Granter and event specific volunteer training preparation
• Collaborate with chapter wish granters (volunteers) by providing resources to enhance the wish-granting process 
• Research and assist with facilitating volunteer recognition and engagement initiatives
• Work with the VP of Mission Delivery on as needed wish management tasks 
• Support communication between Wish department staff and families

The Development Intern will be assisting with event preparation and logistics of events, supporting donor communication efforts, fundraising, and maintaining databases. 

Responsibilities: 

• Assist in event and project management functions such as auction coordination 
• Strategically create assets for auctions for optimal marketing 
• Learn development and fundraising aspects within and relative to a non-profit setting 
• Conduct research on potential donors, foundations, and corporations in the local community 
• Perform community outreach to promote Make-A-Wish's mission 
• Preparing informational collateral to promote the organization, events, etc. 
• Conduct research and outreach related to major projects, campaigns, and events 

The Event Marketing Intern will assist with event logistics and marketing communications for the Make-A-Wish OCIE signature events. This intern position will also assist with third party/external event coordination and communication. 

Responsibilities: 

• Assist in event and project management functions such as auction coordination 
• Strategically create assets for auctions for optimal marketing 
• Learn development and fundraising aspects within and relative to a non-profit setting 
• Conduct research and outreach related to major projects, campaigns, and fundraising events 
• Assist in the execution of marketing and communications plans for events 
• Participate in the creative process of event coordination by designing elements to elevate guest experience 
• Adhere to Make-A-Wish brand guidelines for all marketing assets 

The Youth Programs Intern will assist with Kids for Wish Kids (KFWK) and Wish Makers on Campus (WMOC) programs, creating and updating toolkits and resources for KFWK and WMOC. This intern position will also assist with recruitment of schools within Make-A-Wish OCIE’s territory to participate in the chapter’s youth programs. 

Responsibilities:  

• Assist with Youth Programs recruitment and onboarding 
• Create/design materials for Kids for Wish Kids (KFWK) and Wish Makers on Campus (WMOC) programs 
• Assist with general office duties, conducting research, event planning, and marketing/public relations 
• Build and strengthen relationships with local schools 
• Coordinate event logistics related to youth engagement programs 
• Assist with developing fundraising campaigns for Youth Programs 
• Adhere to Make-A-Wish brand guidelines for all marketing assets 

To apply for an internship position, you must submit:  

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Intern Application Form

E-mail: internships@ocie.wish.org 

Please note that the dates below are subject to change. Based on a student's availability and school schedule, internships can begin or end before or after the dates indicated below. 

2025 ACADEMIC YEAR 

SPRING 2025
Dates of program: January 20 - May 23
Applications Accepted: November 18 - December 2

 
SUMMER 2025
Dates of program: June 9 - August 15
Applications Accepted: April 14 - April 25

  
FALL 2025
Dates of program: September 8 - December 19
Applications Accepted: June 30 - July 11

Interns generally work between 8-10 hours per week. While these time frames work best for most students, all scheduling, including start/end dates and hours per week, is flexible and negotiated between the candidate and their supervisor during the interview stage of the selection process.

All hired interns must successfully complete a background check and attend an orientation session prior to beginning their internship.  

Should you have any questions during the application process, please email internships@ocie.wish.org.