Spring 2026 Intern - Sustainability and Communicatioms & Public Affairs (MBA)

The Global Sustainability Team is seeking highly motivated and passionate graduate-level students for two intern positions. The Communications & Public Affairs Internship and Sustainability Internship opportunities beginning in January 2026.

Comms & Public Affairs Graduate Intern

The intern will be a key member of the broader external affairs team and gain hands-on experience in media relations, corporate communications, and public affairs management. 

offers a unique opportunity for those who are eager to apply their academic knowledge to real-world scenarios and immerse themselves in the field of corporate communications and public affairs.

The internship is structured to provide a blend of research, analysis, and practical application, The external affairs graduate intern will report to the Senior Manager of Public Affairs and collaborate closely with Lead Communication Managers and other subject matter experts from across the company. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, excellent research and writing skills, and has experience connecting initiatives to drive company value. They will be part of a fast-paced and dynamic environment so must be a proactive collaborator and communicator who is able to grasp ideas quickly.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on news coverage, journalists and media outlets, emerging trends, industry events, and social media best practices

• Prepare reports and presentations on external affairs performance and progress

• Collect and analyze data, including the quantity and quality of earned media, executive social media engagement, and public affairs membership rosters

• Contribute to the development of communication materials to enhance Workiva’s sustainability narrative

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including but not limited to finance, legal, internal audit, communications, and marketing

• Prepare reports on PR and executive social media performance

• Research trending topics for media pitches and byline opportunities 

Sustainability Graduate Intern

The sustainability graduate internship offers a unique opportunity for those who are eager to apply their academic knowledge to real-world scenarios and immerse themselves in the field of corporate sustainability. 

The internship is structured to provide a blend of research, analysis, and practical application, focusing on sustainability best practices and reporting frameworks. The sustainability graduate intern will collaborate directly with the Director of Global Sustainability and work alongside cross-functional subject matter experts from across the company. The ideal candidate possesses strong leadership skills, excellent research and writing skills, and has experience connecting initiatives to drive company value. They will be part of a fast-paced and dynamic environment so must be a proactive collaborator and communicator who is able to grasp ideas quickly.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on sustainability best practices and industry trends, as well as emerging sustainability reporting frameworks (voluntary and required) to inform Workiva’s non-financial disclosure strategy 

• Support the development of sustainability reporting and disclosures

• Prepare reports and presentations on sustainability performance and progress

• Collect and analyze sustainability-related data 

• Contribute to the development of communication materials to enhance Workiva’s sustainability narrative

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including but not limited to finance, legal, internal audit, communications, and marketing, to support the goal of positioning Workiva as a global leader in sustainability management 

• Perform other duties as assigned

What You’ll Need:

Comms & Public Affairs Graduate Intern

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in a master's degree program with a focus on Communications, Business Administration, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working at a SaaS company or big 4 Advisory Firm

• Familiarity with the UN Global Compact and World Economic Forum

• Experience using AI to automate work tasks including to support research analysis and writing effective prompts