Internships in Genetics Advocacy & Trisomy Support | SOFT

Internship Program

Gain Real Experience in Genetics Advocacy

SOFT offers meaningful internships for graduate students in genetic counseling, public health, social work, nonprofit management, and related fields. Work alongside nationally recognized clinicians and make a real difference for families navigating Trisomy 18, 13, 9, and related conditions.

Apply Now View Internship Roles

Academic Hour Documentation We support internship credit requirements and can provide formal documentation for your program

Work with Recognized Experts Collaborate directly with clinicians, researchers, and advocates at the forefront of trisomy care

Real Deliverables for Your CV Leave with published resources, documented impact, and professional references in rare genetic conditions

Flexible and Remote-Friendly Most roles are fully remote and can be shaped around your semester schedule and program requirements

Great fit for:

Genetic Counseling Public Health (MPH) Social Work (MSW) Nonprofit Management Health Communication Pre-Med Medical Education Research & Bioethics Grant Writing

Why SOFT

Why Intern with SOFT?

SOFT is a national leader in family-centered education and advocacy for rare genetic conditions — and a uniquely meaningful place to build your career.

Access to Nationally Recognized Clinicians

Work alongside geneticists, genetic counselors, neonatologists, and palliative care physicians who are leaders in Trisomy research and family-centered care — including contributors to the July 2025 AAP Report on Trisomy 13 and 18.

Real Work That Reaches Real Families

Everything you produce at SOFT goes directly to families in crisis. From plain-language medical summaries to resource guides distributed to NICUs and MFM clinics — your work has immediate, measurable impact.

A Unique Niche on Your CV

Experience in rare genetic conditions advocacy is uncommon and highly valued. Whether you are pursuing genetic counseling, public health, or nonprofit leadership, SOFT experience sets you apart in a competitive field.

Flexible and Fully Remote

Most roles are remote and can be structured around your semester, including summer intensives, part-time commitments, and semester-long placements. We work with your program requirements, not against them.

Community of 3,987 Families

You will be embedded in a national community that includes families, clinicians, researchers, and advocates. The connections you make at SOFT can shape your career for years to come.

Hour Documentation & References

We provide formal documentation of your hours for academic credit requirements and are happy to provide professional references for your program, residency applications, or job search.

Open Internship Roles

Find Your Fit

Every role below is open to graduate students and interns. Each one builds real skills in a high-impact nonprofit environment.

Research

Medical Research Knowledge Base Intern

Genetic Counseling Public Health Pre-Med

Organize SOFT's library of medical studies and write plain-language summaries that families and clinicians can actually use. Help build a guide for parents on how to present research to their child's care team.

Flexible hours Apply

Research

New & Expectant Parent Resource Curator Intern

Genetic Counseling Social Work Health Communication

Research, organize, and maintain a curated library of the best current resources for families newly diagnosed with Trisomy. Review SOFT guides for accuracy and identify gaps in what is available.

Flexible hours Apply

Grants

Grant Research Intern

Nonprofit Management Public Health Social Work

Identify grant opportunities from foundations, healthcare organizations, and government sources that align with SOFT's mission. Build a prioritized database of opportunities with deadlines and requirements.

Project-based Apply

Grants

Grant Writing Intern

Nonprofit Management Health Communication Public Health

Turn identified funding opportunities into compelling grant proposals. Work directly with SOFT leadership to understand program impact and translate it into persuasive funder language.

Project-based Apply

Digital & Content

Health Communications Intern

Health Communication Public Health Social Work

Create educational content for SOFT's social channels, newsletter, and podcast — translating complex medical and advocacy topics into clear, accessible messaging for families and the public.

4 to 8 hrs/week Apply

Medical

Healthcare Provider Outreach Intern

Genetic Counseling Pre-Med Public Health

Build relationships with OB offices, MFM practices, genetic counseling programs, and NICUs to ensure SOFT resources reach families at the moment of diagnosis. Ideal for students with clinical connections.

Flexible hours Apply

Simple Process

How to Apply

Getting started is straightforward. We move quickly because we know semester timelines matter.

Submit Your Application

Fill out our volunteer application and note that you are a grad student or intern. Tell us your program, institution, and hours needed.

48-Hour Response

We prioritize intern applications. Expect a personal email or call within 48 hours to discuss the right role and your program requirements.

We Connect with Your Program

If needed, we work directly with your faculty advisor or program coordinator to confirm the placement and set up documentation.

Start Making Impact

Get oriented, meet the team, and begin contributing to work that reaches thousands of families navigating rare genetic conditions.

Academic Support

We Support Your Program Requirements

We understand that internship credit has specific documentation requirements. SOFT is set up to support all of them. Let us know what your program needs and we will make it work.

Apply Now

Formal Hour Documentation Signed letters confirming your hours, role, and responsibilities for academic credit

Supervisor Coordination We communicate directly with your faculty advisor or program coordinator as needed

Professional References SOFT leadership and clinical partners are glad to serve as references for your applications

Midpoint & Final Evaluations We complete required program evaluations on time and with genuine, specific feedback

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a minimum number of hours required?

No minimum from SOFT's side. We work around your program's requirements — whether that is 40 hours for a semester practicum or 200 hours for a full placement. Tell us what you need and we will structure the role accordingly.

Are internships paid?

SOFT internships are currently unpaid volunteer positions. Many students complete them for academic credit. We are actively working to develop stipend opportunities as our funding grows — check back or ask us about current availability when you apply.

Can I do this remotely?

Yes — most roles are fully remote and work well for students anywhere in the country. The one exception is the Healthcare Provider Outreach role which benefits from local presence, but can also be adapted to remote relationship-building depending on your program.

I am in a genetic counseling program. Is SOFT a good fit?

Absolutely. SOFT works directly with geneticists and genetic counselors at a national level, including contributors to the 2025 AAP guidelines on Trisomy 13 and 18. Our Medical Research Knowledge Base role and Healthcare Provider Outreach role are especially well-suited to genetic counseling students who want patient advocacy and family education experience.

How do I get my faculty advisor to approve this placement?

We are happy to speak directly with your faculty advisor or provide a formal placement letter describing SOFT's organization, mission, supervision structure, and the learning objectives for your specific role. Just let us know when you apply and we will take care of it.

What if none of the listed roles fit my program exactly?

Apply anyway and tell us about your program and learning objectives. We have flexibility to shape roles around the right student. If there is a meaningful project we can build together that meets your requirements and serves SOFT's mission, we want to hear about it.

Ready to Apply?