Careers with Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Washington Office on Latin America - a leading research and advocacy organization advancing human rights in the Americas. WOLA envisions a future where public policies protect human rights and recognize human dignity, and where justice overcomes violence. The organization tackles problems that transcend borders and demand cross-border solutions. It creates strategic partnerships with courageous people making social change—advocacy organizations, academics, religious and business leaders, artists, and government officials. With these partners, WOLA advocates for more just societies in the Americas.  Internships are regularly available.

Center for Economic and Policy Research - an independent, nonpartisan think tank that was established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people's lives.

Council on Hemispheric Affairs - For more than 30 years, the Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA), a major tax-exempt, nonprofit, and nonpartisan national research and information organization, has offered internships in Washington in the fields of U.S., Latin American, and Canadian relations. These internships provide practical, entry level experience regarding a variety of political, economic, diplomatic, and trade issues.  They also provide young scholars with excellent exposure to the policy making process.

U.S. Agency for International Development Student Intern Program - Interns generally work in one of USAID’s offices in Washington, D.C., supporting programs in fields such as economic growth, agriculture, education, health, environment, democracy and governance, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance.

International Agricultural Internship Program - The International Agricultural Internship Program (IAIP) provides international agricultural trade experience to senior and graduate college and university students that have the background and interest to help our 90 overseas offices promote U.S. agricultural interests abroad.

AIESEC - Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales is a global youth organization that develops leadership capabilities through their internal leadership programs and engages students and graduates in international student exchange and internship programs for profit and non-profit organizations.

Washington Internship Institute - an educational nonprofit organization, prepares college students and recent graduates for their future. During a semester or summer in Washington, DC, students learn about themselves and their fields through substantive internships, academic enrichment seminars, site visits, and shared housing. They become engaged and informed citizens and leaders who are equipped to make a difference in the world.

Organization of American States - The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world's oldest regional organization. They offer employment opportunities, student internships, and scholarships to those interested in strengthening the peace and security of the continent and our economic, social, and cultural development.

USAID - USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Their work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives. They offer job opportunities and internships.

Peace Corps - Peace Corps is a volunteer organization of the U.S. Department of State which promotes intercultural understanding. The Peace Corps hires K-12 teachers as well as ESL teachers. Volunteers receive a living stipend. Volunteers who apply will be placed wherever there is a need, so they are not able to choose their location. The Peace Corps has practical benefits such as loan deferment, fluency in a foreign language and the intrinsic benefits that come with making a difference in people's lives.

Autonomous University Social Movements - Internships and Jobs with Autonomous University Social Movements, a group that works to create fundamental social change grounded in democracy, economic justice, human rights and redistribution of power on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Grassroots Development Fellowships for Graduate Students - Institute of International Education (IIE) has partnered with the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) to administer its Grassroots Development Fellowship Program. The IAF was created in 1969 by the United States Congress to fund the self-help initiatives of the organized poor in Latin America and the Caribbean and the groups that directly support them. The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) is reactivating its fellowship support for dissertation work by candidates for Ph.D. degrees from U.S. universities.

The IAF accepts applications from students in the social sciences, physical sciences, technical fields and the professions as related to grassroots development issues. The awards provide international transportation to the field research site and a monthly stipend for a maximum period of 12 months. Fellows must have advanced to Ph.D. candidacy by the date they begin their IAF-sponsored research.

The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program - The Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows Program is a two-year initiative that begins with a one-year field placement in countries throughout South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. The following year is spent in Washington, D.C. at national nonprofit organizations working on hunger and poverty policy. The fellowship trains emerging leaders in the fight against hunger and provides them with a broad understanding of the problem of hunger, the skills necessary to contribute to a solution, and the personal experience that puts faces and names to these issues.

Deadline: January of odd numbered years

The Presidential Management Fellows - The PMF Program attracts to Federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs. The PMF Program, administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is the Federal Government's cornerstone succession planning program to help agencies meet their critical need for leadership continuity.

FHI360 (formerly Family Health International) - FHI 360 brings together experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth and technology to address the full range of human development needs. Partner with colleagues across disciplines and geographies as you make your own unique contribution to the world-class FHI 360 team and help individuals and communities reach their highest potential.

The Junior Fellowship program is a highly selective, fixed two-year program for new college graduates to work shaping  international economic policy for the United States in  Treasury’s Office of International Affairs. Fellows have left the program to pursue a range of opportunities, including employment at Treasury and elsewhere in the U.S. government, work in the private sector, and graduate study (e.g., law, public policy, international relations, and finance and business).

Google Policy Fellowship - The Google Policy Fellowship program was inspired by Google’s Summer of Code with a public policy twist. The Google Policy Fellowship program offers undergraduate, graduate, and law students interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer contributing to the public dialogue on these issues, and exploring future academic and professional interests. Fellows will have the opportunity to work at public interest organizations at the forefront of debates on broadband and access policy, content regulation, copyright and creativity, consumer privacy, open government, government surveillance, data security, data innovation, free expression and more.

CIEE Teach Abroad - Work overseas and teach English abroad in Chile, China, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Spain, or Thailand with CIEE.

Transitions Abroad - Great portal website for jobs, internships, teaching and living abroad.

Central European Teaching Program - CETP exists to benefit young people in the formerly socialist countries of Central Europe by providing public schools in the region with native-speaking English teachers.

TeachAbroad.com - This website is a directory for international teaching opportunities. It has a huge wealth of information for all kinds of teaching jobs from paid jobs to volunteer, part time to full time.

EF English First - EF English First, part of the world's largest private education company. This website offers English language teaching positions around the world especially training and recruiting teachers for ESL/TEFL positions in China and around the world.

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships - The Fulbright Program was created in 1946 by the U.S. Congress after WWII to "foster mutual understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchange." Fullbright Grants are offered for graduate study, graduate research, teaching exchange and teaching assistantships. CSU campus deadline for applications is in the fall. Grant opportunities to teach English language and conversation classes are available in select countries such as Argentina and Chile. Grant periods range from 8-11 months. Explore more Fulbright opportunities on their western hemisphere search site. 

U.S. Department of State - The Office of Overseas Schools is for the purpose of promoting educational opportunities for dependents of American citizens who work for the U.S. government. Most American sponsored overseas schools work with private organizations in the U.S. to help them recruit teachers. Click on the teaching overseas link, to find a listing of quick reference information to various teaching agencies.

For more information on careers related to Latin American & Caribbean Studies, visit the KU Career Center

US Agency for International Development



Department of Commerce



Department of Justice



Department of Homeland Security



Department of Defense



Foreign Agriculture Service



Department of the Treasury

USA JOBS - This is the official job site of the United States Federal Government. It includes Peace Corps, teaching assistantships, fellowships for study and research, and teaching positions with Department of Defense Dependent Schools.

Electronic Network for Latin American Careers and Employment

Transitions Abroad - Great portal website for jobs, internships, teaching and living abroad.

Unbound - An MA alum and former FLAS student of CLACS have found jobs with Unbound, based out of Kansas City

Solidarity Ignite Immersion Opportunities - This organization provides opportunities for undergraduate students to join student organizers from all over and leaders in the movement for social justice across the Dominican Republic and Haiti for an up-close look at how our global economy and fight for change is woven together. The experience includes lots of hands-on workshops, role playing, games, discussions and campaign planning. 

Union Jobs Clearinghouse - A central site for posting the open positions in unions and socially allied organizations that are now accepting applications.

United Planet

Global Volunteers