Practical Opportunity.
Life-Changing Experience.

Use the skills and passions God gave you to reach the world and cover the last mile of missions.

Key Dates

Summer 2027 Internship

  • Application Window: November 1, 2026 - January 31, 2027
  • Offer Letters Sent: March - April 2027
  • First Day of Internship: May 24, 2027
  • Last Day of Internship: July 30, 2027

Where Do You Fit?

We provide internship opportunities in many different areas of JAARS. Information about available positions for Summer 2027 coming soon!

Aviation Events

The Aviation division at JAARS conducts a number of events during the summer, including Mission at the Airport (MATA) outreach events in various cities, a “Mountain Week” training event for pre-field orientees, and representing JAARS at EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As an Aviation Events Intern, you’ll get to help plan and execute these events.

Chaplain

The Chaplain’s office at JAARS contributes to the spiritual wellness of JAARS by organizing spiritual vitality events and prayer meetings, distributing a weekly Prayer Alert list, and meeting with staff members for prayer and counsel. As a Chaplain Intern, you’ll get to help in all of these areas, while also thinking creatively about new ways to support JAARS staff.

Guest Services

The Guest Services department serves those who are visiting JAARS by providing excellent housing, food service, events, childcare, and more. As a Guest Services Intern, you’ll get to experience a wide variety of customer-service oriented roles while also helping in a broader administrative capacity by documenting and streamlining policies and processes.

Hardware Engineering

The Hardware Engineering department helps create solutions and products to solve the unique transportation and infrastructure challenges encountered in the remote, hard-to-reach areas of the world where JAARS serves. As a Hardware Engineering Intern, you’ll get to contribute to new or ongoing projects alongside the Hardware Engineering team.

Information and Digital Technologies

The Information and Digital Technologies (IDT) department ensures JAARS has the technology and business processes it needs and the understanding to utilize them for maximum effectiveness. As an IDT Intern, you’ll have the opportunity to work in diverse areas with the technology team including help desk, infrastructure, networking, systems support, and audio/visual.

Land and Sea Operations

The Land & Sea Ops department trains and equips missionaries to travel safely via motorcycle, 4WD vehicle, or vessel. As a Land & Sea Ops Admin Intern, you’ll help provide administrative support to the department, with the opportunity to experience Land & Sea Ops training first-hand.

Museum

The Museum department operates The Alphabet Museum’s Pittman Building and Cardenas Building on the JAARS base. As a Museum Intern, you will primarily be assisting with the digitization of the historical archives.

Our Hiring Process

1

Application

The candidate submits an application for a specific internship position through the JAARS Applicant Tracking System (ATS). If more than one position is of interest, the candidate can mark up to two other positions they’d like to be considered for.

2

Initial Interview

The HR team will review all applications, then invite qualified candidates to an initial video interview. The purpose of this interview is to assess competencies and cultural fit, among other considerations.

3

Reference Checks

If the candidate has a successful first interview, the HR team will conduct checks with the references provided on the candidate’s application.

4

Second Interview

The HR team will pass the candidate’s application (including resume, interview notes, and references) along to the manager of the position they applied for. The manager will choose which candidates to invite to a second video interview. This second interview will include an HR representative, the manager, and the Interns Program Coordinator. The purpose of this interview is to explore team dynamics and responsibilities of the position.

5

Offer Letter

The HR team will send official offer letters to the top candidates. Candidates typically have one week to respond to offer letters. Up to six interns may be hired per summer.

6

Offer Acceptance and Onboarding

Once a candidate accepts their offer, the HR team will coordinate the completion of a criminal background check and other onboarding paperwork. New interns will receive correspondence from the HR team and the Interns Coordinator as their start date approaches.

The hiring process takes anywhere from 30-120 days. The process varies for individuals depending on candidate pool and application completion date.

Hear From Past Interns

Don't take our word for it! Here's a glimpse of what past interns had to say about their time at JAARS.
"I had a great time and was introduced to new ideas concerning missions. I would recommend the program to people who want to learn more about missions, gain practical experience and be in community with other interns."
Charis
Intern | 2023
"The fantastic community, working environment and opportunities for spiritual growth made my time in the Interns program amazing, and I left with greater confidence knowing what God could do using my gifts and abilities."
Nathaniel
Intern | 2023
"It was the best job I've ever had; the opportunities and connections God gave me this summer will never be forgotten. ... I've never been so excited to go to work each day, knowing that every day I'm working for a purpose that I'm so passionate about."
Julia
Intern | 2024

Take Your Next Step

Grow your skills and explore your place in the Great Commission. Apply today or reach out to a member of our team for any additional questions.

Interns FAQs

Details & Eligibility FAQs

Who is eligible to become an intern?
College students who will have completed their sophomore year of college by the start of the internship are welcome to apply for the JAARS Interns program. Other qualifications include:

-Christ-follower with a deep and growing relationship with God
- Agreement with the JAARS vision, mission, core values, and what we believe
Are JAARS Interns paid?
Yes! JAARS Interns are paid $11.66 per hour.
Is housing included?
Interns are required to live in housing on the JAARS Base. Housing is not included in compensation. Monthly rent is $100, including utilities, internet and laundry facilities. Singles are assigned to a 2-bedroom / 2-bath (or 2-bedroom / 1-bath) apartment with one roommate or a 1-bedroom / 1-bath apartment with no roommate. This depends on the number of interns in the cohort and available housing units.

Married interns work directly with JAARS Housing to find a unit that works for the needs of their family. For a married couple where one spouse is an intern and the other is not, we divide the standard housing rate (for whatever unit they choose) in half. The intern pays the discounted rate of $100/month for his "half", and the non-intern spouse pays the regular rate for her "half". So the total for the couple is $100 plus half of the normal housing rate for the unit they choose. You may contact guest.liaison@jaars.org for the most current housing rates.

All apartments are fully furnished and include kitchen supplies (microwave, toaster, pots, pans, dishes, etc.)
What will a typical work schedule look like?
Interns work full-time (40 hours per week). Most interns work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour for lunch. However, work schedules may vary for certain projects that could require involvement in evening and weekend programs.
Are there any opportunities for interns to become staff members post-internship?
Yes! If there is an interest in working at JAARS after the internship, we encourage interns to pursue JAARS Fellows after they graduate. Other opportunities to stay connected to JAARS could be through volunteering.

Applicant FAQs

When will I know if I have been accepted?
After you have gone through an initial interview, you will be invited to a second interview with the manager of the department you have applied for. After the manager reviews all applicants for that position, you will receive an email notifying you of the decision. If you are the top candidate, your email will include a formal offer letter, which you will have approximately a week to accept.

We typically send offer letters in March/April, though the actual timeline may vary for individuals depending on candidate pool and application completion date.
What do I do after I have been accepted to Interns?
After you've been accepted to the Interns program, please keep an eye on your email inbox for messages from JAARS HR regarding onboarding paperwork. The Interns Coordinator will also send you a series of emails with information about setting up housing, introducing your cohort, and more. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Interns Coordinator!

Intern Life and Culture FAQs

What are some community building activities involved in the Interns program?
Interns participate in two outings with their cohort over the course of the summer. These outings are great opportunities to connect with the other interns in their cohort and explore more of the Waxhaw/Charlotte area!

In addition to these scheduled program activities, you will also have plenty of time for recreational community building activities with your cohort and other young adults on campus. Weekly volleyball and soccer games are a highlight for many, along with spontaneous movie nights or trips to the Waxhaw Creamery for ice cream! There may also be Bible studies and worship nights for you to join in on (or help plan!).
Am I responsible for my own meals?
Yes, interns are responsible for their own meals. Your apartment is equipped with a kitchen that includes pots, pans, dishes and utensils. The nearest grocery stores are approximately 10-15 minutes away by car.

JAARS has a cafe that is open for lunch Monday - Friday. The cafe offers several different types of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and fries, as well as a daily special. The cost for a full meal is typically around $10-12.
Do I need a car?
While a car is not required for JAARS interns, most people find it helpful to bring their own car. The JAARS Base is located about six miles from Waxhaw, North Carolina, and 10 miles from Lancaster, South Carolina, which means that all the nearest grocery stores, gyms, churches, etc. are about a 15-minute drive away. If you don’t have a car, you will need to ask for rides from others in your cohort.
Where do interns attend church?
JAARS is not a church, and living/working at JAARS is not a replacement for attending a local church. We encourage our interns to find and regularly attend a church in the area, but we don't dictate which church they attend.

Luckily, North Carolina is in the Bible belt, so there are plenty of churches for interns to choose from! Since the multitude of options can sometimes be overwhelming, we provide new interns with a list of some nearby churches that other young people at JAARS have attended and enjoyed as a place to start looking.
What is it like to live in the Waxhaw area?
JAARS is located about 10 minutes from downtown Waxhaw, North Carolina. Waxhaw is a fast-growing, family-friendly town with historic charm. There are lots of hiking trails and beautiful parks, antiques and thrifting, restaurants, and good old-fashioned parades.

Lancaster, South Carolina, is another historic small town that’s located about 20 minutes away from JAARS. Lancaster has a state university campus, shopping areas, and several festivals and events including an annual Christmas parade.

JAARS is also about an hour away from downtown Charlotte.

International Applicants FAQs

Can I apply for the JAARS internship with CPT?
Yes! If you are a student in the US on an F-1 visa, you may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which can be used for an internship or training that is directly related to your major area of study. To use CPT for a JAARS internship, talk to your designated school official (DSO) about when and how to apply. For more information, visit dhs.gov.
Does JAARS support H-1B visa sponsorship?
At this time, JAARS is unable to sponsor H-1B visas for interns.