Semester of Service Volunteer- Strategic Communications & Data Modernization Volunteer

Applicants will be considered based on their knowledge, skills or abilities related to project needs. Specifically, applicants should have: -Strong written and verbal communication skills -Data analysis and organization skills -Technical proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint -Graphic design experience (preferred): familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva Make an impact while you learn. The Semester of Service Program offers students a volunteer project-based opportunity to support Federal missions, gaining hands-on experience & valuable career-ready skills. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other accredited educational institution & participation must be with the permission of the institution at which the student is enrolled.

• This vacancy announcement will be open from 07/30/2026 to 08/05/2026 or when 25 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages. EducationUSA and American Spaces Strategic Communications & Data Modernization Project: The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks a motivated volunteer to design and deliver a self-contained strategic communications and data visualization package supporting 1) EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's official source on U.S. higher education, which operates a network of over 400 advising centers in more than 170 countries worldwide promotes American educational excellence to foreign students and assists accredited U.S. institutions of higher education develop competitive marketing strategies that advance America's dominance in the educational services industry, and facilitates connections with international networks and partnerships to advance research, innovation, and cutting-edge technology critical to U.S. national security and prosperity. 2) American Spaces -- With nearly 600 locations in over 140 countries, American Spaces connect the United States and communities worldwide. Managed by U.S. embassies, often in partnership with local institutions, American Spaces advance U.S. foreign policy goals. They share America's entrepreneurial spirit with the world, advancing free speech and digital freedom. By convening people and institutions to promote U.S. higher education and develop professional skills, American Spaces advance America's interests and connect future leaders to the United States. Over the course of the 90–120 day service period, the volunteer will build a complete "Communications and Data Toolkits" for the EducationUSA and American Spaces networks, culminating in a final deliverable package presented to program leadership. This project offers hands-on experience in international education and cultural diplomacy, strategic communications design, and data visualization skills directly transferable to careers in public diplomacy, international affairs, and communications. Project Deliverables: The volunteer will independently design, build, and present the following: Communications Toolkit (Weeks 1–6): Create a set of original visual communication products including a program one-pager, a leadership briefing slide deck, and a set of social-media-ready graphics that translate the Office's work on digital freedom, STEM, AI, and emerging technologies into clear, compelling public-facing messaging. Data Visualization Dashboard (Weeks 5–10): Design a data visualization dashboard or interactive spreadsheet model that consolidates EducationUSA advising center metrics (e.g., student engagement, regional reach, program impact) from multiple existing data sources into a single, modernized reporting tool that program staff can reuse going forward. Final Briefing and Handover Package (Weeks 10–12): Deliver a final presentation to the Office Director and staff summarizing key findings from the data visualization work, along with a documented "toolkit" (templates, style guide, and dashboard instructions) that the office can use after the volunteer's term ends. Learning Objectives: This project allows the volunteer to build a professional portfolio of original design and data analysis work product while gaining direct exposure to how the Department communicates U.S. foreign policy priorities to international audiences.