Digital Media & Research Intern

Organization: The Unpopular View with Michael Brown

Location: Remote (Fairfield County, CT preferred but not necessary)

Compensation: Unpaid / For Academic Credit if Feasible and/or References

Commitment: 8–10 hrs/week minimum, flexible schedule

About The Unpopular View

The Unpopular View is a YouTube channel and policy commentary platform delivering evidence-based analysis on geopolitics, international development, climate policy, and U.S. foreign affairs — targeted at professionals and the public exhausted by partisan narratives and looking for grounded, field-tested perspectives. It also seeks to explore generational issues.

The channel is hosted by Michael Brown, an international development consultant and published author (Routledge, 2013 and 2024) with 50 years of field experience across 80+ countries in agriculture, conservation, natural resource management, and governance. Michael has a LinkedIn following of 10,500+ professionals in development finance, climate policy, and impact investing.He has founded and run a non-profit for 10 years along with a consulting firm.

The Opportunity

This is a hands-on, project-based internship for a motivated student who wants real-world experience in digital media production, policy research, or audience development. You will work directly with the channel’s host and contribute meaningfully to content that reaches development finance and policy professionals worldwide. You will also adaptively manage how to grow the channel.

Five tracks are offered — interns may focus on one or combine two depending on interest and availability:

• Social Media & Short-Form Video: Repurpose long-form episodes into YouTube Shorts and social clips; generate thumbnails; write platform-specific captions; manage posting schedules across YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Research & Fact-Checking: Source academic citations, summarize policy literature, fact-check episode claims, and prepare research briefs on topics ranging from carbon markets to U.S. foreign policy in the Sahel that will be used in podcasts.
• SEO & Metadata: Optimize episode titles, descriptions, and tags; conduct keyword research; assist with thumbnail strategy and A/B testing in coordination with our production team.
• Audience Development: Monitor LinkedIn engagement, assist with comment strategy, support newsletter development, and track analytics across platforms.
• Website Development: Set up a website linking channel and host.

What You Will Gain

• A portfolio piece with real reach — episodes regularly engage thousands of development finance, climate, and policy professionals.
• Direct mentorship from a published author and 50-year field practitioner with expertise in international development, conservation, and geopolitics.
• Practical experience in YouTube channel growth, LinkedIn thought leadership, and multi-platform content strategy.
• Exposure to substantive policy debates — carbon markets, U.S. foreign policy, land governance, international development finance — that are directly relevant to careers in global affairs, journalism, and the nonprofit sector.
• A strong letter of recommendation for students who perform well.

Ideal Candidate

We welcome applicants from a range of majors. The right candidate is intellectually curious, self-directed, and cares about evidence over narrative. Relevant areas of study include:

• Communications, Journalism, or Digital Media (strong fit for Social Media, SEO, and Audience Development tracks)
• Political Science, International Relations, or Environmental Studies (strong fit for Research track)
• Marketing or Business (strong fit for SEO and Audience Development tracks)

No prior professional experience required. Curiosity and reliability matter more than credentials.

Academic Credit

We are happy to work with your academic department to formalize this internship for credit if feasible. We will provide a written internship agreement, defined learning objectives, and regular supervisor check-ins to meet your institution’s requirements. Students should confirm credit eligibility with their career center or faculty advisor before applying.

How to Apply

Send a brief email (no more than two paragraphs) to ------------ with the subject line:

Unpopular View Internship — [Your Track Interest]

Please include:

• Your name, school, year, and major
• Which track(s) interest you and why (2–3 sentences)
• A brief description of any relevant experience or work samples (links welcome, not required)

Contact: Michael Brown, Host & Producer

Email: ------------

Website: michaelibrown.carrd.co

YouTube: ------------/@TheUnpopularView_MichaelBrown

LinkedIn: ------------/in/michaelbrownsatyadi

 Rolling applications — positions available for Summer and Fall 2026