Internships at LLILAS

The Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, a multidisciplinary institute that integrates several centers and programs devoted to promote interest in the region, is the oldest Latin American Studies program in the United States and one of the best worldwide.

LLILAS has an unpaid internship program designed to provide UT students with the opportunity to gain professional experience by learning about the work of multiple programs within LLILAS or to develop research skills by working with some of our most distinguished Latin Americanist faculty. Our institute is a vibrant and fast-paced environment where students will have the opportunity to interact with foreign students, visiting Latin American professors, government officials, politicians, and private sector representatives.

LLILAS Interns, Fall 2011 (photo by Jessica Quiceno)

The internship is open to undergraduate students enrolled in any UT college or school who may be interested in pursuing graduate degrees or working on Latin American issues. Interns must be available to work about 10 hours a week from late January 2012 to the last week of classes of the spring semester (schedules are negotiated with the respective supervisor). If you would like to earn liberal arts elective credit for your LLILAS internship, learn about the LA 320wb and LA 110wb course options at: http://www.utexas.edu/cola/orgs/lacs/Students/Courses/Internship.php.

We are currently trying to fill positions in several LLILAS programs. Please review each of the job descriptions and let us know for which position you are applying. You can apply to more than one, but if you do, please rank them in order of preference.

Please e-mail all application materials to Paloma Diaz between November 4 and 20, 2011 (we encourage early applications and will begin interviewing applicants as soon as possible). The application package should include: (1) a résumé indicating language and computer skills; (2) a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position or positions (including research topics or disciplines of interest); (3) information about your fall schedule and available hours; and (4) the name and contact information of at least two UT faculty members or previous employers who are willing to provide us with references. (Note: The LLILAS Research Internship also requires a copy of your transcript.)

LLILAS Office of the Directors
The Office of the Directors provides administrative, planning, and coordination support to the institute's Director and Associate Director. In addition, the office serves as the main interface between the institute and faculty, students, and public and private entities. Last, the office develops and maintains the core initiatives of the institute. These initiatives take the form of conferences, workshops, and special projects headed by both Directors, and take place within the university as well as locally and internationally. The Office of the Directors seeks an intern to assist in daily administrative activities as well as coordination support for several of the initiatives and special projects that will take place during the semester. The successful applicant will work 10 hours per week. Candidates should have strong interpersonal and communication skills as well as organizational and coordination skills. Basic knowledge of Word and Excel is also required.

LLILAS Public Programs
LLILAS Public Programs constitute a broad range of initiatives, including academic events such as conferences, lectures, and workshops; collaborations with Latin American institutions; visits of foreign delegations; and receptions, performances, and social media activities. These initiatives may focus on one or several Latin American countries and include multiple academic topics. We are seeking interns to provide logistical support for all the stages of the planning and implementation of such initiatives. Duties include assistance in publicity, travel, and catering arrangements; preparation of materials; management of databases and Internet research; translation of short documents (e.g., correspondence, bios, website information); and clerical support as needed. Applicants should be able to work 10 hours a week and demonstrate organizational skills, professional demeanor, and knowledge of the institute's mission and public programs. Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus.

LLILAS Alumni Office
The Alumni Office coordinates the Alumni Resource Network and promotes opportunities to strengthen the professional development of our graduates. We are looking for an intern who can help us to propose, create, and implement a series of activities to engage our alumni in LLILAS programs. Duties include (a) helping with alumni communications, including creating and distributing correspondence, electronic communications, and related social media activities; and (b) helping to coordinate special events and programs, including annual alumni receptions and alumni career panels. The internship is an opportunity for students interested in careers in international education, public relations, and fund-raising and development issues. Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus, as well as experience with FileMaker Pro and Excel. Applicants should be able to work 5–10 hours a week.

LLILAS Research Internship
LLILAS is recruiting UT undergraduate students to work with UT faculty during the fall 2011 semester. Our Latin Americanist faculty produce cutting-edge research on a broad range of topics and disciplines and help to maintain the academic leadership of the institute.This research internship is an excellent opportunity for students considering graduate school. Duties may include literature research and review; data manipulation, analysis, and interpretation; organization of research materials (data, texts, articles); other related duties assigned by faculty. Students will be selected based on previous research experience or demonstrated interest in Latin American academic issues. Successful candidates will be paired with faculty according to their specific areas of interest. Previous research experience is a plus, as is intermediate to advanced proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese.

LLILAS Photography Internship
We are recruiting students who are passionate about photography. The intern would provide photographic coverage of selected LLILAS public events and other LLILAS programs as needed. This internship represents a great opportunity for broadening your experience: selected photos can be posted on our website and our social media sites or used in our publications (work will be credited). Successful candidates should have experience taking high-resolution digital photographs and should have access to a high-quality digital camera. Access to other photographic equipment, such as a variety of lenses, tripod, and flash, is a plus. The candidate should also have basic experience with photo editing. Hours are flexible, but applicants should be willing to work during some evenings.

Testimonials from previous LLILAS interns

"The internship was a great way to expose myself to research and academic paper writing. We used many different techniques to gather information, from personal interviews to surveys on social networking sites to an editorial in the newspaper. I learned so much more about approaching research from several different angles to get the best results. I would recommend an internship with LLILAS to anyone interested in adding to their knowledge about Latin America. Thank you so much for the opportunity!"
-Seve Kale
BA, Government
Spring 2010

"Since it was my first internship, I didn't know what to expect at the beginning. Now that I've finished, I can easily say that I am more prepared for future internships and an actual career. It was great to work in a professional environment and be under the pressure of a deadline. My best memory of my time with LLILAS is when we went out after the career workshop-I loved hearing the LLILAS graduates' stories. I would recommend this internship because it provides great experience in a friendly environment. I felt appreciated and respected throughout the semester, and am grateful for the opportunity to work with LLILAS."
-Jennifer Dietz
BA, History /Plan I Honors
Spring 2010

"I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation for allowing me to participate in the LLILAS Internship Program. I am very thankful for getting the opportunity to work on academic projects with Dr. Luis Carcamo-Huechante. I have nothing but good things to say about his professionalism as well as his wonderful character. Another wonderful opportunity this internship provided for me was access to the numerous conferences and presentations on current events affecting Latin America, and being able to participate in these events while learning from esteemed members of the academic community. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone, as it was an excellent program to be a part of that has truly enriched my researching, communication, and writing skills, as well as my knowledge of Latin American culture."
-Gaspar Rodriguez
BA, Anthropology
Spring 2010

"Working for LLILAS helped me put into practice what I was learning at UT. Furthermore, working for LLILAS allowed me to see Latin America in many more different ways, to interact with some of the people who were changing the continent, and to learn how to be of benefit to the region. Originally I am from Mexico. But not until I left Mexico did I learn to love it as much as I do now. Interning at LLILAS helped me do that. My coworkers and supervisors guided me through that learning process, and assisted me in navigating a very difficult time in my life: the time when I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life. People at LLILAS became my friends, and my family. I will miss them a lot."
-Ludwig Barragan
BA, Latin American Studies
Fall 2008-Spring 2010

For more information, contact:
Paloma Diaz, Senior Program Coordinator
p.diaz@austin.utexas.edu
512.232.2415