top of page

ICF Next

Communications Specialist Intern 

Summer 2025

A REMOTE SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH ICF NEXT’S DIGITAL MEDIA & EXPERIENCE (DMX) LINE OF BUSINESS, WHERE I WORKED ON SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY, ANALYTICS, AND CREATIVE CONTENT FOR MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING CLIENTS.

Headquartered in the D.C. area, ICF is a global consulting and technology services firm that partners with government and commercial clients to solve complex challenges. Within ICF Next (the creative communications division) and its Digital Media & Experience (DMX) line, my team specialized in social media strategy for public health, housing, and education initiatives. Clients include the CDC Division of Diabetes Translation, Rise Homes, ChristianaCare, U.S. Department of Energy.

image.png

 SOCIAL LISTENING & ANALYTICS

  • Delivered 3 cross-platform reports (TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook) for federal and nonprofit clients.

  • Built custom Boolean queries in Brandwatch to track engagement, misinformation, and campaign trends. ​​

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGY

  • Wrote and edited 75+ pieces of social content, including evergreen graphics, platform copy, and compliance reviews.

  • Co-authored a 23-page social media strategy for Rise Homes, featuring KPI design, hashtag research, and cadence plans.​

COMPETITIVE & MARKET RESEARCH

  • Conducted competitive audits for CDC and Virtua Health campaigns.

  • Authored 2 case studies/proof points used in new business proposals.​

INTERNAL RESEARCH: AI & TOOL EVALUATION

  • Interviewed 5 cross-team members for an AI usage study; summarized findings and made workflow recommendations.

  • Evaluated 8 social media management platforms (Sprout, Hootsuite, Brandwatch, etc.) and presented findings to executives to aid budget decision.

Projects

i reached out to my manager and am currently waiting to see what example work I am allowed to include here lol

Certifications Skills Gained

&

CERTIFICATIONS AND TOOLS meta business suite & ads manager, google ads, google analytics, excel 2025, excel for project management, brandwatch listen & publish, powerpoint SKILLS social listening, content strategy, data visualization, ai research, kpi development, long-form case study writing, campaign benchmarking, competitive analysis, copywriting across platforms, boolean query construction, hashtag & keyword research, content calendar planning, creative & analytical reporting, audience segmentation, brand positioning, presentation & communication skills, collaboration across cross-functional teams

I deeply appreciated my time at ICF, as it showed me what it means to work at an agency with purpose behind everything it does. Every project had a mission that extended far beyond marketing; it was about driving awareness, trust, and tangible impact in people’s lives.

​

I loved being part of a team that balanced creativity and strategy across such a diverse range of clients and industries. Working within the public sector gave me a front-row seat to how social media and communication can be used to inform and empower communities.

​

Because many of our clients were federally funded, I also witnessed the real-world implications of federal budget cuts, creating moments that challenged my team to pivot quickly and think creatively under new constraints. Watching my team members handle those challenges with adaptability and optimism was inspiring, and it reinforced my respect for the collaborative, mission-driven culture ICF is known for.

bottom of page