Research Internship/Fellowship 2025

Research Internship/Fellowship Opportunity at Soaringwords

Location: Virtual and/or In-Person
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per week, flexible
Start Date: Immediate (flexible to accommodate your class schedule)
Duration: One or two semesters, based on your availability. 
Unpaid internship: Many of our interns receive course credit, and others apply for and receive stipends through their academic institutions. This internship offers an opportunity to fulfill degree requirements for students needing 120-180 hours of practical experience per semester.

We invite you to apply for an internship/fellowship with Soaringwords, a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and healthcare professionals to take active roles in self-healing to experience greater physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Since 2001, Soaringwords has mentored 432 talented interns and fellows. This internship offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of seniors in long-term care facilites while gaining valuable skills in research, data analysis, and health equity.

Position Overview:
As a Research Intern, you will assist by reviewing pre- and post-surveys, entering and organizing data, and analyzing research results to contribute to the development of Soaringwords' programs. Your efforts will directly contribute to our mission of enhancing physical, emotional, and mental well-being for individuals, with a particular focus on those in long-term care facilities. You will have one-on-one weekly meetings with the CEO to discuss and share your findings. 

This part-time position is ideal for undergraduate or graduate students in a relevant academic program, whether currently enrolled or recently graduated.

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and review.
• Experience or interest in research, quantitative data analysis, and statistics.
• Knowledge and usage of R programing language, SPSF software, and SASS software
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Individuals interested in the field of positive psychology, healthcare, or social impact are encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in reviewing, analyzing, and reporting on research data.
• Exposure to positive psychology concepts and their application in healthcare settings.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and make an impact on the lives of others.
• Regular one-on-one check-ins with your supervisor to guide your personal and professional growth.

About Soaringwords  
Soaringwords’ mission is to inspire individuals and health care professionals to take active roles in self healing to experience greater physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Since 2001, Soaringwords’ interventions have been shared with more than 500,000 individuals in communities experiencing health inequity or serious illness. We are proud to have partnered with 196 hospitals around the world and health and human service agencies throughout North America. In 2020, Soaringwords provided the content for the launch of the World Economic Forum’s Healthy Cities initiative working with the Jersey City Department of Health & Human Services. Soaringwords has additionally led numerous Caring For The Caregiver workshops and programs to support families facing a loved one’s acute or long-term medical crisis in addition to leading numerous end-of-life and bereavement groups. 

The Need for a Paradigm for Positive Aging

In many parts of the world, life expectancy has increased, while the quality of life for seniors has diminished. This trend is especially visible in Western cultures, where there are prevalent disparaging attitudes about aging and an obsession with youth.

Both caregivers, who are trained in traditional models of psychology and human development, and seniors living in long-term care facilities, often suffer due to a lack of the benefits of positive psychology and appreciative inquiry practices. These approaches focus on practices that bring out the best in individuals and help to enliven those facing the natural limitations of aging. Soaringwords is dedicated to bringing empirically based positive psychology interventions to older individuals who have traditionally been overlooked by this field.

Apply

If you are passionate, creative, energetic, and eager to make meaningful contributions to a small team, we encourage you to apply. Please review the application questions below and submit your responses, along with your resume, to Lisa Honig Buksbaum at lisa@soaringwords.com and Greta Rozensweig at greta@soaringwords.org. If your application aligns with our needs, we will contact you to set up a virtual interview.

Warm regards,

Lisa Honig Buksbaum, CEO & Founder, Soaringwords

Greta Rozensweig, Community Outreach Manager, Soaringwords

Application Questions

• Name
• Address
• Cell Phone
• E-mail
• Your relevant degree (currently enrolled or graduated)
• Any relevant previous experience
• How did you hear about Soaringwords?
• What do you hope to accomplish in terms of professional development skills during your volunteer internship with Soaringwords?
• What do you hope to gain in terms of your own personal growth and development?
• What are your greatest strengths? List these attributes and show examples to demonstrate how you have put these skills into action as an individual and on a team.
• Have you had grant writing experience?
• What is your proudest accomplishment?
• What is your work style? Can you give examples of successful projects or work experiences and your role?
• How do others describe you (your friends, colleagues)? What are the traits that make you unique?
• Are you currently pursuing a career? In what area?
• How many days and times are you available to volunteer at Soaringwords (Example: Monday from 12-4)? When would you like your volunteer time to start and end?
• Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
• LinkedIn (optional)