Available Internships

If you have not already thoroughly reviewed and understood the information on our Internship Opportunities page, please do so before applying to any internship listed here.

AUTUMN 2026

Applications due no later than September 1.

Fair Housing Center - Housing & Social Justice
The Fair Housing Center of Washington is a non-profit organization based in Tacoma, working across 23 counties to create more inclusive communities and facilitate greater access to housing. The organization works directly with clients and advocates on their behalf. They also conduct testing on housing providers and develop educational materials for the public to advance compliance with the Fair Housing Act. Recent student internships have looked at water quality in the Tulalip region as well as GIS mapping to spot discrimination trends and inform policy. For Fall 2026, the organization is looking for students who have an interest in housing and social justice, to work on a variety of tools to advance their work to promote universal design, improve the processing of reasonable accommodations and modifications for housing providers, and encourage multicultural housing development. Interests outside of these will also be considered so long as they are aligned with housing opportunity and inclusion. 
UW Tacoma Giving Garden - Community Engagement
The Giving Garden at the University of Washington Tacoma strives to eliminate food insecurity among students by connecting them back to their food system through hands-on experience with fresh food, grown by students, for students. Through its partnership with The Pantry at UW Tacoma, the university’s on-campus food bank, the garden is able to deliver local produce directly to students in need. The Giving Garden makes space for community through volunteer opportunities, events, and by connecting people to nature and agriculture in Tacoma’s urban core. The Giving Garden stands as a hub for sustainability, research, and demonstration for the larger community.
Recent capstones and internships have included working to improve our solar power system and supporting the garden in cultivating a harvest and leading volunteer hours. This Community Engagement internship will be available every quarter from Fall 2026-Summer 2027. The Giving Garden is looking for students who have an interest in food security and environmental/social justice, developing skills in event planning, marketing, and management, developing skills in educational outreach through social media and in person, and a desire to connect with the campus and local community in meaningful and
fun ways.
This intern will work closely with the Giving Garden coordinator to determine appropriate events and engagement tasks. The following are sample tasks likely to be included:
• Create outreach materials for events and volunteer opportunities
• Complete outreach activities such as tabling and class visits to promote the Giving Garden
• Create posts for the garden’s social media accounts. Content will include both educational information and updates on what is being done at the garden
• Co-host volunteer events
• Assist in the planning and overseeing of special events
• Assist in general upkeep of the Giving Garden
Tacoma Public Schools: Community Investment & Small Business Support

Community Investment & Small Business Support

 

Tacoma Public Schools, in partnership with Parks Tacoma, is seeking a motivated University of Washington Tacoma student to serve as a Summer Intern supporting community investment initiatives focused on strengthening small, local, and underutilized businesses.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful, place-based economic development efforts that center equity, community voice, and long-term neighborhood vitality.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct data entry and organization to support ongoing community investment tracking and reporting
  • Assist with data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for supporting local businesses
  • Support the planning and coordination of stakeholder interviews, including small business owners, community partners, and program participants
  • Participate in and help document community engagement efforts, ensuring insights are captured accurately and respectfully
  • Assist in developing summaries, presentations, and materials that communicate findings and recommendations

 

Learning Opportunities

  • Gain hands-on experience with equitable economic development strategies
  • Build skills in qualitative and quantitative research, including stakeholder engagement and data analysis
  • Develop an understanding of public sector collaboration across education and parks systems
  • Contribute to real-world initiatives designed to strengthen local economies and expand opportunity for underrepresented businesses

 

Ideal Candidate

  • Current UW Tacoma student with an interest in public policy, urban studies, business, economics, or social sciences
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Comfortable working with data (Excel or similar tools) and eager to learn analysis methods
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially in diverse community settings
  • Demonstrated interest in community-centered work, equity, and small business support

WINTER 2027

Applications due no later than December 1.

Tacoma Nonprofit

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Local City Office of Planning

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SPRING 2027

Applications due no later than March 1.

GIS Company

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Another Local City

SUMMER 2027

Applications due no later than May 1.

Environmental Planner Associates

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Regional Transit Agency

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