Digital Media & Executive Intern

Full-time | In-person (Greater Houston area) | Faith-based | Pathway to a salaried role

If you light up at the thought of building podcasts, cutting video clips, running social media, and helping a small, mission-driven organization punch way above its weight online, this might be your role.

I lead Shield Bearer Counseling Centers and Grow Grit & Virtue—a counseling nonprofit and a growing teaching/writing ministry focused on Christian faith, mental health, and family life. I’m looking for a full-time, paid intern who can function as a jack-of-all-trades digital media and executive assistant.

This is not a “grab coffee and file papers” internship. You’ll sit close to the work: content, strategy, systems, creative problem-solving, and execution. If it goes well, this internship can grow into a full-time salaried position.

What you’ll work on

You won’t do all of this on Day One, but over the internship you’ll grow into real ownership in several areas:

Social media management & growth

Help manage and grow our presence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and others.
Learn how the back-end of these platforms work: scheduling, analytics, audience growth, ad accounts, channel optimization.
Implement a consistent posting rhythm, including captions, graphics, clips, and repurposed content.

Podcast production & distribution

Help plan, schedule, and manage our podcast recording days.
Coordinate outlines, show notes, and guest logistics.
Edit audio/video, create clips, and publish episodes and highlights to podcast platforms and YouTube.

Content creation (written & visual)

Help turn long-form content (radio shows, talks, workshops, Substack essays) into short-form posts, quote graphics, and clips.
Assist in drafting or polishing email newsletters, social posts, and website copy.
Create memes, simple graphics, and basic visual assets using tools like Canva or similar.

Shopify store & digital revenue

Help set up and manage our Shopify store for books, courses, and resources.
Upload products, manage descriptions, images, and basic promotions.
Support simple funnels: links from podcast, social, and website to store and email list.

Systems & platforms
Learn the back-end of our

email/newsletter platform (Substack),
database / CRM tools, and
website / online donation / event tools.

Assist with digital aspects of fundraising campaigns and events.

Executive assistant to the CEO

Help me stay on track: schedule, project lists, follow-ups, communication.
Capture ideas, organize content, and translate “whiteboard conversations” into action plans.
Coordinate with staff, contractors, and collaborators when needed.

Who you are

This will not be a good fit if you want something easy or low-engagement. It will be a great fit if you see yourself in this:

You are a practicing Christian who is comfortable and enthusiastic working in a devoutly Christian environment and mission. Our work is openly faith-based, Christ-centered, and oriented toward spiritual and emotional wholeness.
You’re hungry to learn marketing, media, and content production at a deep, practical level, not just “posting stuff.”
You’re tech-savvy and not afraid to poke around dashboards, tutorials, and help docs until you figure things out.
You’re organized, able to track tasks and projects without constant reminders.
You’re creative and proactive: you come with ideas, not just questions.
You can handle honest feedback and use it to get better—your ego isn’t fragile.
You’re comfortable working full-time, in-person or hybrid, and you have reliable transportation.
You care about what we care about: marriages, families, mental health, discipleship, the local Church, and helping people grow in grit and virtue.

Skills & experience (the “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”)

Must-haves

Strong comfort with computers, cloud tools, and social platforms.
Solid writing skills (clear, conversational, grammatically sound).
Willingness to learn video editing (we can pick a tool together).
Ability to manage your own time and communicate clearly.

Nice-to-haves (you don’t need all of these, but any are a plus)

Experience with Canva or similar design tools.
Basic video editing (CapCut, Adobe, Final Cut, DaVinci, etc.).
Familiarity with Substack, Shopify, Mailchimp, Squarespace/WordPress, or podcast platforms.
Previous work in ministry, counseling, media, or nonprofit environments.

Structure, Compensation, and Path to a Salaried Role

This internship is designed as a 12-month pathway, broken into two back-to-back 6-month phases. At every 90-day mark, we stop, talk honestly, and decide whether to conclude the internship or continue to the next stage.

Overall Structure

Phase I Internship: Months 0–6
Phase II Internship: Months 7–12

Each phase has:

A 90-day review (midpoint of the phase)
A 6-month review (end of the phase)

At every review, we will decide together whether to:

End the internship with a completion letter and reference, or
Continue into the next 90-day block, or
If the work clearly warrants it, move toward a full-time salaried position sooner.

Pay Progression

Compensation increases as responsibilities and results increase. The progression is:

Months 0–3 (Phase I – Onboarding & Foundations): $12/hour

Focus: learning the mission, tools, and basic systems; beginning to contribute.

Months 4–6 (Phase I – Consistency & Reliability): $14/hour (contingent on a positive 90-day review)

Focus: handling a consistent weekly content rhythm, supporting podcast production, and becoming dependable in the role.

Months 7–9 (Phase II – Ownership & Initiative): $16/hour (contingent on a positive 6-month review and continuation into Phase II)

Focus: taking real ownership of social media, podcast workflows, and basic Shopify setup and maintenance.

Months 10–12 (Phase II – Results & Leadership Potential): $18/hour (contingent on a positive 9-month review)

Focus: delivering measurable results, helping drive campaigns, and functioning as a true digital media and executive partner.

Reviews and Turning Points

Every 90 days, we will have a formal review where we assess:

Fit: faith, character, culture alignment, and working chemistry.
Skills: technical ability, communication, organization.
Results: consistency of posting, podcast progress, Shopify and digital projects, and overall contribution.

At each 90-day review, we will either:

Conclude the internship (with affirmation, feedback, and a reference), or
Continue into the next 90-day period at the next pay level (if milestones are being met).

At each 6-month review (end of Phase I and end of Phase II), we will decide whether to:

End the internship with a completion letter and reference,
Extend for the next phase (if we are still within the 12-month window), or
If the work clearly justifies it, begin the process of transitioning you into a full-time salaried position with defined responsibilities and goals.

Path to a Salaried Role

Between Month 6 and Month 12, if:

The podcast is being consistently planned, recorded, edited, and published;
Social media is active, strategic, and clearly serving the mission;
The Shopify store is live and integrated into our content, and
Your character, work ethic, and fit with our culture are strong,

then we will have a serious conversation about converting this into a full-time salaried role (with benefits dependent on organizational budget).

How to apply

Please send:

A resume
A brief letter or email sharing:

Why you’re interested in this role
How your faith shapes your work
Any links to social media, writing, or creative projects you’ve done

Send to: tcardine@shieldbearer.org with subject line:

Digital Media & Executive Intern – [Your Name]

Shield Bearer Counseling Centers jobs

Digital Media & Executive Intern