The build4good Internship Experience

What is build4good?

build4good, an initiative of New America, is an intern-mentorship program that matches post-secondary students who are majoring in computer science, integrated digital media, UI/UX design, or other technology-related fields to mission-driven nonprofit organizations with technology-specific project needs.

This mostly remote summer intern-mentorship program aims to inspire a network of future leaders to develop socially minded technology, discover public interest and social impact careers, and help nonprofits harness the power of technology for social good.

Since summer of 2020, build4good student interns embark on a 10-12 week paid project-based mentorship and skill-building journey. The build4good internship provides students with opportunities to transfer classroom-learned skills to real-world application, add new technical skills, gain 21st-century skills such as collaboration, project management, problem-solving and communication, and explore potential careers in the public interest technology and social impact sectors.

Host organizations have access to students with skills such as website design and development, app design and development, backend development, data visualizations including interactive web maps, data analytics, expanding online community engagement, and addressing privacy/security challenges.

For more information: https://www.build4good.tech

Host and Student Application Process

• Nonprofit organizations interested in hosting a build4good intern can fill out a short application form or email build4good@newamerica.org to schedule an exploratory conversation at any time. Host applications are currently open.
• Applications for summer interns are open in January for post-secondary students majoring in computing-related fields, such as computer science, data science, integrated digital media, or UI/UX design.
• For detailed information on the application process and intern and host responsibilities, see build4good’s manual for interns and host organizations.

This year, build4good launched its first ever Navigators Program. The build4good Navigator Program is an independent, project-based track designed for students who are passionate about leveraging technology, data, and design for social good. This program supports self-directed, mission-driven work and helps students explore meaningful applications of tech in civic life, from algorithmic fairness to community data tools through their own independent projects.

As the need for community driven and responsible technology grows, the build4good Navigators Program provides a unique opportunity for students to design and lead their own public interest technology (PIT) project. PIT aims to bring together technologists, policymakers, and communities to ensure that digital tools and systems are ethical, inclusive, and responsive to societal needs. This is an entirely virtual program that runs from June to September 2025.

build4good welcomes its 2025 cohort of build4good Navigators:

• Anirudh Pasupathy
• Brian Tang
• Emile Ohstrom
• Gabriela Garrard
• Inchara Kayshap
• Jeremy Ky
• Mohamed Mudawi
• Michelle Kao
• Owen Coulam
• Yaejie (Gia) Kwon