Careers and Internships

Internship Opportunities at Asia Society Australia

Internship applications are currently closed. Information on the next intake will be released later this year. If you wish to get involved as an event volunteer please contact programaustralia@asiasociety.org.

Asia Society Australia seeks ambitious and enthusiastic interns with an interest in Asia and Australia-Asia relations to join us in Sydney. Interns help to drive our activities across research, marketing, communications, events, and membership development. As an Asia Society intern, you are part of a small team at the forefront of Australia’s engagement with Asia and are offered an opportunity to master new skills in a real-world environment. You will also develop valuable professional networks in the Australian business, government, education and artistic communities.

Internships with Asia Society Australia are ideally suited (but not limited) to undergraduates or postgraduates studying Asian studies, history, international relations, commerce, journalism, communications and economics.

We are looking for creative and enthusiastic team players with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

You will be a reliable self-starter and problem-solver who can work independently to meet tight deadlines and multi-task in a small-team, fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

An interest in Asia and Australia-Asia relations and excellent writing, editing, and communications skills are a must.

Knowledge of social media platforms and web communications is a plus.

Meet our past Interns

Louise joined Asia Society in October 2015 after returning from a year in China, where she undertook intensive Chinese language training and studied courses in international relations at Peking University. During her time as an intern, she assisted in all aspects of programming, including drafting a report on Asia’s disruptive influence, working on promotional materials and supporting Asia Society events that featured thought-leaders from a variety of countries and career backgrounds. Guest speakers included Japan’s former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Israel’s Chief Scientist and Asia Society’s Global President and CEO.

Louise is currently conducting research for her Honours thesis on the degree to which China’s economic power can help it achieve influence in Southeast Asia. She is passionate about promoting people-to-people ties between Australia and its neighbours and raising cultural awareness and discussion of Asia in Australia. After travelling extensively in Asia during her year abroad, she has become fascinated by the dynamism of the region and the opportunities it presents, and wants to work to strengthen Australia’s political, economic and cultural connectivity with Asia.

Fay Edwards and Crystal Ji joined Asia Society Australia in March 2015 as our inaugural interns and junior associates. Both really stood out from a sizable pack of incredibly strong applicants, and we were very happy to have them on-board. During their internships, Fay and Crystal made an enormous contribution in their 3 short months at Asia Society. They helped to deliver world-class events (including our signature ‘Connecting Australia and Indonesia’ event), conducted research on Australia-Asia relations, contributed to our blog and publications, build relations with our members, supporters and partners and helped to build our profile in Australia and the region. 

Crystal is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Law and International Studies at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), majoring in international relations. She is passionate about intercultural dialogue and fostering increasing ties with Asia, and feels that Australia is in an optimal position to successfully engage with Asia by exchanging ideas, culture, policies, practices and much more. Crystal has previously been involved with the Australia-China Youth Association’s projects, and has undertaken many courses regarding Asian cultures and politics, which she has a keen interest in. She speaks fluent Mandarin, and also reads and writes Chinese.

After a year spent living and studying in Indonesia as part of the Bachelor of Asia-Pacific studies at Australian National University, Fay has returned to begin a Master of Planning at the University of Technology, Sydney. She has been actively involved in the Asia-Pacific region, beginning with an intensive language course studied in Salatiga, Indonesia. Time spent in Vietnam and Japan have furthered her understanding of this region. She has worked as an intern for the National Farmers Federation in Canberra, as well as for the well-respected Non-Government Organisation, Mercy Corps, in Jakarta. She has completed a number of research projects both in Australia and overseas, with the most recent including a study on the Agricultural Trade between Indonesia and Australia, and Urban Agriculture in Indonesia. Fay has strong written and spoken communication skills in both Indonesian and English, and is a regular contributor to online magazines such as ‘The Monsoon Project’ (focused on the Asia-Pacific region). She is a strong advocate for an integrated Asia-Pacific region, and looks forward to playing her part in developing and consolidating strong partnerships between Australia and its vibrant neighbours.

James Levy started with the Asia Society in June 2016 as he commenced his Master of International Security at the University of Sydney. Over his three months, the Asia Society hosted a range of events with academics, business leaders and DFAT representatives including current and former Australian Ambassadors to China as well as the Ambassador to Myanmar. It was also an exciting period of growth for the Asia Society Australia, with the commencement of the Gen A initiative and preparation for the 20th anniversary in 2017. This busy period gave James the opportunity to write about events and international affairs for the Asia Society Blog, support in the organisation of events, and assist in digital communications. James is currently completing his Masters, writing a thesis on Anti-terrorism law and Australian oversight mechanisms, he is also working at KPMG.