Digital Media & Research Intern

Title
Digital Media, SEO & Podcast Intern

Organization
The Unpopular View with Michael Brown

Location
Remote (Fairfield County, CT preferred but not required)

Compensation
Unpaid; potential for academic credit (if approved by your institution) and detailed references

Time Commitment
Approx. 15 hours per week, flexible scheduling

About The Unpopular View

The Unpopular View is a YouTube channel and policy commentary platform offering evidence‑based analysis on geopolitics, international development, climate policy, and U.S. foreign affairs for viewers who are tired of partisan talking points and want grounded, field‑tested perspectives. It also explores generational and cultural issues that shape global politics.

The channel is hosted by Michael Brown, an international development consultant and published author (Routledge 2013, 2024) with 50 years of field experience in more than 80 countries in agriculture, conservation, natural resource management, and governance. He has a 10,500+ LinkedIn network of professionals in development finance, climate policy, and impact investing, and has led both a nonprofit and 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, SEO, podcast operations, and/or policy research while helping grow an emerging thought‑leadership channel. You will work directly with the host and take on concrete responsibilities that affect how content is produced, found, and consumed.

We are especially keen to add at least one intern with strong technical skills in SEO, web, or podcast operations, but all tracks are open.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience or strong interest in:

• SEO keyword research and on‑page optimization for videos, podcasts, and articles
• Clipping, uploading, and optimizing YouTube Shorts (titles, tags, thumbnails)
• Managing a podcast publishing workflow (show notes, descriptions, chaptering)
• Updating and improving a WordPress (or similar) site for performance and UX

Internship Tracks

(You may focus on one or combine two, depending on your skills and interests.)

1. Social Media & Short‑Form Video
Turn long‑form episodes into YouTube Shorts and social clips, create thumbnails, write platform‑specific captions, and manage posting calendars across YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

2. Research & Fact‑Checking
Source academic and policy references, summarize key literature, fact‑check episode claims, and prepare research briefs on topics such as carbon markets, climate finance, and U.S. foreign policy in Africa and the wider Global South.

3. SEO & Metadata (high priority)
Optimize titles, descriptions, tags, and chapters; conduct keyword research; help refine thumbnail strategy and basic A/B tests; monitor analytics to understand what drives watch time and click‑through.

4. Audience Development
Track analytics and engagement (especially on LinkedIn and YouTube), assist with comment and community strategy, support a simple newsletter, and identify where target audiences are most active.

5. Website Development
Set up and maintain a simple website (e.g., WordPress) linking the channel, podcast feeds, and host bio; improve navigation, performance, and basic SEO; coordinate content updates.

What You Will Gain

Portfolio pieces with real reach: episodes and shorts regularly engage thousands of professionals in development finance, climate, and policy spaces.

Direct mentorship from a highly experienced field practitioner and author working at the intersection of development, conservation, and geopolitics.

Practical experience in YouTube growth, podcast operations, SEO, and multi‑platform content strategy.

Exposure to substantive debates on U.S. foreign policy, land governance and IPLCs, international development finance, carbon markets, and natural resource politics—useful for careers in global affairs, energy and climate, journalism, and nonprofits.

A detailed letter of recommendation and/or supervisor reference for interns who perform well.

Ideal Candidate

We welcome applicants from a range of majors. The common threads are curiosity, reliability, and comfort learning new tools.

Relevant backgrounds may include:

Communications, Journalism, Digital Media – strong fit for Social Media, SEO, and Audience tracks

Computer Science, Information Systems, Web Development – strong fit for Website and technical SEO work

Marketing or Business – strong fit for SEO and Audience Development

Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology, Environmental Studies – strong fit for Research & Fact‑Checking

No prior professional experience is required, but we look for evidence that you’ve taught yourself something (a personal site, podcast, YouTube channel, campus media role, etc.).

Academic Credit

We are happy to coordinate with your academic department to formalize this internship for credit, especially for students able to commit to a longer term. Where needed, we will provide a written internship agreement, learning objectives, and regular supervisor check‑ins. Students should confirm eligibility with their career center or faculty advisor before applying. All interns can receive a letter confirming the experience and, where appropriate, a recommendation.

How to Apply

Email theunpopularviewpodcast1@gmail.com with the subject line:
Unpopular View Internship — [Track(s) of Interest]

In your email, include:

Your name, school, year, and major

Which track(s) interest you and why (2–3 sentences)

A brief description of any relevant experience and links to work samples (website, podcast, YouTube channel, social media, class project, etc.—informal projects are welcome)

You may also be asked to answer a few short screening questions on the application form about your tools and prior experience.

Contact: Michael Brown, Host & Producer
Email: theunpopularviewpodcast1@gmail.com
Website: michaelibrown.carrd.co
YouTube: youtube.com/@TheUnpopularView_MichaelBrown
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelbrownsatyadi

Timeline
Rolling applications — positions available for Summer and Fall 2026.
Priority consideration for Summer 2026 applications received by May 20, 2026.