Internships
Be an international intern at Trama Textiles – Academic Internship Program (4–12 Months)
Are you passionate about ethical fashion, Indigenous rights, and hands-on learning with real social impact? At Trama Textiles, we offer academic internships rooted in community collaboration, slow fashion, and intercultural exchange. From our cooperative headquarters in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, interns develop professional experience while supporting a network of more than 150 Maya women weavers from 17 communities across the Western Highlands. Joining Trama means being part of a women-led cooperative where tradition and innovation work hand in hand. As an academic intern, you will:
Apply your skills within an NGO and small-business structure rooted in Maya textile heritage.
Internships require a part time/ commitment (Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00 to 2:00 pm / 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm) and an academic stay of 4 to 12 months. We invite universities, academics or students to apply to our internship program. To apply, fill this form.
Internship Structure
Interns join one of our two core areas: -Culture and Administration / Sales and Philantrophy-, each supported by three assistant roles. The program emphasizes practical learning, responsible engagement, and applied academic development.
Creative Program Coordination – Internship Roles
1. Program Administrative Intern
Provides administrative and communication support, manages incoming messages, organizes documentation, and assists with volunteer orientations and daily office needs.
2. Cultural & Store Support Intern
Assists in the physical store, supports cultural activities, helps facilitate workshops and visits, and contributes to maintaining an inviting community space.
3. Content & Documentation Intern
Supports photography, videography, and field documentation; organizes visual archives; assists in creating material for cultural and educational projects.
Sales & Donations Coordination – Internship Roles
4. Sales Operations Intern
Assists with e-commerce processes, Shopify updates, inventory organization, product listings, and general sales operations.
5. Marketing & Social Media Intern
Supports weekly content execution, newsletter drafting, scheduling posts, asset selection, and platform monitoring under the coordinator’s guidance.
6. Donations & Sponsorship Intern
Helps maintain grants, donor databases, prepares communication drafts, gathers materials for reporting, and supports campaigns related to sponsorships and scholarship programs.
Life in Quetzaltenango (Xela)
Interning at Trama is both professional and cultural. You will live in Xela, a vibrant city rich in Maya identity, historic architecture, and local traditions. Interns experience:
Immersion in Spanish and, in some communities, Maya languages,
Direct learning with artisans,
Opportunities to explore regional communties/ weaving traditions,
Meaningful relationships with local families.
Affordable homestay accommodation is available for USD $160 per month, providing a supportive environment where interns can practice Spanish and engage with Guatemalan daily life.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome university students and recent graduates in:
- Marketing, Fashion, Graphic Design, Art, Photography, Communications
- Business, International Commerce, Administration
- Anthropology,Latin American Studies, Sustainability
- Development Studies, Gender Studies, Human Rights, International Relations
Applicants should be motivated, respectful, adaptable, and committed to ethical engagement with Indigenous communities.
Interested? Please fill this form
📩 For consults, write us an email
Email: coordinator@tramatextiles.org
🌎 Let your academic internship share communitary /administrative work —from Guatemala to the world.
