LLILAS Internships
The Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies is the oldest Latin American Studies program in the United States and one of the best worldwide. LLILAS student programs feature multidisciplinary degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The institute integrates several country-oriented centers and initiatives that promote study of salient issues in the Latin American region. The LLILAS Benson partnership with the Benson Latin American Collection, is a pioneer in many areas, including digital humanities, documenting and teaching Indigenous languages of Latin America, K-16 curriculum support, and archival partnerships with Latin American organizations.
LLILAS Intern Sandi Perez (right) meets Nobel Laureate in Economics Joseph Stiglitz
The LLILAS internship is a non-paid opportunity. All internships provide UT undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain professional and research experience by supporting our scholarly and outreach programs and assisting some of our most distinguished Latin Americanist faculty in their research projects. The institute is a vibrant and fast-paced environment where student interns will have the opportunity to interact with foreign students, visiting Latin American professors, government officials, politicians, and private-sector representatives.
Scroll down for qualification and application info!
Testimonials from LLILAS Interns
Sandi Perez, Plan II Honors, Economics
Throughout my time at LLILAS, I have had the opportunity to build relationships with amazing individuals—students and faculty alike. Every person I have come across has been eager to discuss their research interests and share their journey as they navigate their time as academics. I have also had the opportunity to help with programming and lectures, enriching my understanding of Latin American history and current events. The interdisciplinary nature of the institute facilitates a nuanced approach to lecture topics, offering me exposure to different fields of study on an advanced level beyond what my two majors cover. During my internship, I have been able to contribute to numerous projects, including a graduate student networking resource and updating faculty information for the institute's website, which has proven invaluable during the summer internship recruitment season. Moreover, I have also had the privilege of connecting with a current LLILAS graduate student whose research focus aligns closely with my own, opening doors to new organizations and programs that I would not have discovered otherwise. Lastly, being a part of such a large and dynamic unit has allowed me to connect with several professors who are guiding my current undergraduate research project, an opportunity for which I am deeply grateful.
Read about Sandi's LLILAS internship experience
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Lucero Arguello, Int'l Relations & Global Studies, Children & Society
"I had the amazing opportunity to intern with LLILAS as a research assistant. I worked with Dr. Esther Calzada and Dr. Lauren E. Gulbas on their Pilot Study of Depression and Suicidality in Mexican-American Children and Youth. This internship introduced me to the responsibilities necessary for conducting a proper research study. I am truly grateful for the support and encouragement from both professors and the other research assistants on the team. I was also able to benefit from participating in the events hosted by LLILAS. Through speaker presentations and events, I learned of hot topics of Latin America through experts in their fields. My internship with LLILAS was a career changing experience during my undergrad at The University of Texas."
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Hailey Howe, Plan II Honors, Latin American Studies, Span/Portuguese
"As an intern for LLILAS, I learned so much about Latin American Studies that I would never have otherwise learned in strictly a classroom setting. I found this internship through the Plan II and LLILAS partnership, and I am so grateful! Since I am also a Latin American Studies major, this internship was an incredible opportunity to supplement my education by allowing me to get a more up close and personal experience with many of the current debates, issues, and events happening in Latin America; being able to help organize many of the LLILAS events and speakers has been a particular highlight. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to help conduct research for a professor in LLILAS which has helped guide me in my own research endeavors. I have loved being involved with an institution that aims to teach people across campus about Latin American Studies, and I can truthfully say that I have learned and grown so much academically and professionally because of it."
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Photo Credit.
The Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies is the oldest Latin American Studies program in the United States and one of the best worldwide. LLILAS student programs feature multidisciplinary degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The institute integrates several country-oriented centers and initiatives that promote study of salient issues in the Latin American region. The LLILAS Benson partnership with the Benson Latin American Collection, is a pioneer in many areas, including digital humanities, documenting and teaching Indigenous languages of Latin America, K-16 curriculum support, and archival partnerships with Latin American organizations.
LLILAS has two paid internship positions as well as non-paid internship opportunities. All internships provide UT undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain professional and research experience by supporting our scholarly and outreach programs and assisting some of our most distinguished Latin Americanist faculty in their research projects. The institute is a vibrant and fast-paced environment where student interns will have the opportunity to interact with foreign students, visiting Latin American professors, government officials, politicians, and private-sector representatives.
The paid internship is open to undergraduate students enrolled in any UT college or school who may be interested in pursuing graduate degrees or working on Latin American issues. Interns must be available to work approximately 8 hours a week from late January through the last week of classes of the spring semester (work schedules are designed around the students’ course schedules). The intern will receive a wage of US$11 per hour.
Qualifications (All Internships)
Strong interest in the field of Latin American Studies and a working proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese is preferred. Applicants must be UT undergraduate students. Applicants must be enrolled in at least six semester credit hours during the internship semester.
Duties*
- Conduct online research about speakers or topics discussed in LLILAS Benson public programs;
- Assist with planning and preparation for public programs as needed and directed;
- Prepare databases using Excel or Qualtrics;
- Translations of short documents (based on level of language proficiency);
- Assist with a broad range of logistical matters during virtual or face-to face programs;
- Help with different aspects of audiovisual support (photography, video recording, video editing, video captioning);
- Help develop content for our student social media accounts and promote our programs through social media networks;
- Duties associated with the research component will depend on the faculty affiliate’s research project, but assignments may include: review of periodicals, translation of short documents from Spanish into English, organization of bibliography, creation of databases, review of literature for new courses.
* Duties will be assigned depending on the particular skill set of the intern.
Application Materials
Send your application by March 25, 2024, to Paloma Díaz, and include the following materials:
- A résumé indicating language and computer skills as well as your experience with different social media platforms;
- A cover letter addressing (a) how this internship position connects to your professional and/or academic goals, (b) your experience in the field of Latin American Studies and what LAS courses you have taken at UT, (c) your particular research interests, and (d) other skills, qualifications, and/or personal experience make you a good fit for the position;
- Information about your fall schedule and available hours; and
- The name and contact information of at least two UT faculty members or previous employers who are willing to provide references.
For more information, contact Paloma Diaz, Assistant Director for Programs and Faculty Liaison, at 512.232.2415.
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Internship Partners on Campus
- Plan II
- Liberal Arts Career Affairs
- UGS
- Gateway
- Bridging Disciplines
