ProCon.org is very appreciative of the talented and hard-working senior interns, interns, and volunteers who have helped us over the years. We have listed those talented individuals below in alphabetical order by category. Some have requested anonymity for their contributions, and we have excluded their names by request. All work submitted by volunteers is vetted by in-house staff and subject to our rigorous editing procedures.
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Volunteer Research Opportunities |
How to Volunteer or Intern at ProCon.org |
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I. Senior Interns (contributed 200+ hours in one year) |
Name |
Issue Site(s) Worked On |
Year |
Mini Profile |
1. Sahira Auget |
Health Care, ProCon.org, Euthanasia |
2018 |
MA, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2019) |
2. Brynn Grossman |
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |
2015 |
BA, Religious Studies, University of Oregon |
3. Mark Jokel |
US-Iraq, Prostitution,
Euthanasia, Felon Voting, Medical Marijuana, Under God |
2009-2010 |
Research Assistant, Hollywood NOTE Foundation
MA, Political Science, California State University at Northridge |
4. Vahagn Karapetyan |
Alternative Energy,
2012 Election, Euthanasia |
2012 |
MPP, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Policy and Opposition Researcher at LA City Mayoral Campaign |
5. Mara Laine |
Obamacare, 2016 Presidential Election, Social Networking, Video Games and Violence |
2015 |
MA, Liberal Studies, Dartmouth College
BA, Philosophy, UC Santa Cruz |
6. Allison Martins |
ACLU |
2009 |
Paralegal, Hudson Legal Agency
LLB, Bachelors of Law, Salgaocar College of Law – University of Goa (India) |
7. Lindsey Rooney |
2012 Election, Born Gay |
2011-2012 |
MMC, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University
BA, University of Michigan |
8. Daniel Shaheen |
Drinking Age, Gun Control, ProCon.org |
2018 |
BA, Government and Politics, Wesleyan University (2019) |
9. Yiming Shao |
School Uniforms, Medical Marijuana, Teacher Tenure, Drinking Age |
2014 |
MPP student, Pepperdine University
BA, University of Nottingham (Ningbo, China) |
10. Caleb Worner |
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |
2012 |
International Studies Student, Class of 2012, Brigham Young University – Idaho |
11. Sigrid Hsiju Yang |
ACLU |
2009 |
JD and LLM (Master of Laws), Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
BS, Bachelor of Laws, Tung-Hai University (Taiwan) |
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II. Interns (contributed 50+ hours in one year) |
Name |
Issue Site(s) Worked On |
Year |
Mini Profile |
1. Mark Brisson |
Illegal Immigration,
Corporate Taxes & Jobs |
2012-2014 |
US Coast Guard veteran
BA, Political Science, UNC Charlotte |
2. Rachel Espana |
ACLU |
2009 |
JD, UCLA School of Law – Entertainment and Media Law and Policy Program, class of 2009 |
3. Therese Franklin |
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |
2012 |
Faculty Support Coordinator at UCLA School of Law
MPA candidate at University of Southern California; BA, UCLA |
4. Alexa Frcek |
ProCon.org
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2019-2020 |
8th grade student at Lincoln Middle School
Plays the piano, does rhythmic gymnastics, and enjoys watching movies
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4. André Frcek |
ProCon.org |
2016-2017 |
8th grade student at Lincoln Middle School
Plays tuba in the Honor Band and fences after school |
5. Rob Freeman |
Business Operations |
2017 |
World-class numismatist and philatelist |
6. Duncan Hosie |
Death Penalty,
Under God in the Pledge |
2012 |
Undergraduate student, Princeton University
Former Congressional Intern for Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma, CA) and Legislative Aide for Rep. Jaquet (D-Ketchum, ID) |
7. Corey Kennedy |
Social Networking |
2009 |
Loyola Marymount University Undergraduate, Class of 2013, Engineering Major
Certified in Cancer Biology from UCSD |
8. Ross Lenihan |
2012 Election |
2012-2013 |
Researcher, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center
MA, Cinema and Media Studies, UCLA
BA, Film Studies, UC Berkeley |
9. Ian Li |
ACLU |
2009 |
LLM, Masters of Laws, USC Gould School of Law
LLB, Bachelor of Laws, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies School of Law (China) |
10. Yiting Ling |
Climate Change |
2015 |
MPP candidate, Pepperdine University, Class of 2016
MA, Journalism, Communication University of China |
11. Joan Lubin |
Prostitution |
2009 |
UCLA Undergraduate, Class of 2010, Philosophy and Women’s Studies Major |
12. Soe Oo
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Felon Voting, Vaccines |
2015 |
Website and database developer
BS, Cal Poly Pomona University |
13. Robert Ortega |
ProCon.org |
2011 |
International banking and finance consultant
MBA, Harvard University
BA, BS, University of Pennsylvania |
14. Danielle Osborne |
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Medical Marijuana, Critical Thinking |
2017 |
BA, Economics & Government, Smith College |
15. Clint Rodriguez |
Medical Marijuana, Corporate Taxes & Jobs |
2017 |
BA Candidate, Communications, University of Miami |
16. Erika Schroeder |
Golf, Medical Marijuana |
2016 |
BA, Smith College (2017)
Founder & President, local chapter, Operation Smile |
17. Heidi Sickler |
2012 Election |
2011 |
MA, Harvard University
BA, Carleton College |
18. Hanna Terhaar |
ACLU |
2009 |
Freelance writer in France
BA, Legal Studies, University of Wisconsin |
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III. Volunteers (contributed 20+ hours in one month) |
Name |
Issue Site(s) Worked On |
Year |
Mini Profile |
1. Justin Abbasi |
Euthanasia |
2014 |
JD candidate, Class of 2015
Seattle University School of Law |
2. Anastasia Austin |
Immigration |
2016 |
Litigation and Trial Paralegal
BA, International Global Studies and Russian Studies |
3. Erica Bianco |
ACLU |
2009 |
CA, NY, and NJ Licensed Attorney
JD, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University |
4. Kevin Coffee |
Felon Voting, Sports and Drugs |
2011 |
Communication Researcher and Consultant
MA, Communication Studies, California State University at Northridge |
5. Elena Colle |
ACLU |
2009 |
JD, University of Modena (Italy)
MA, Communications Policy, City University, London (England) |
6. Steph Domond |
Minimum Wage, Churches & Taxes, Drinking Age |
2019 |
BA, University of Southern California (2019)
Teacher, USC’s Building Future Leaders Program |
7. Michael D. Dulberger |
2008 Election |
2008 |
BE, MSME, MSM,
Founder & President, Informed For Life, Inc. |
8. Josh Eisen |
Social Security |
2015 |
MPP Student, University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy
BS in Strategic Design and Management, The New School |
9. Grant Hubbard |
ACLU |
2009 |
JD, Georgetown University
Attorney of 30+ years |
10. Brian Jung |
Medical Marijuana |
2013-2014 |
BS, Chemistry, University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC)
Former Research Assistant, UCSC |
11.Lawrence M. Kohn
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ProCon.org
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2018 |
President, Kohn Communications
Business Development Coach and developer of BizDevCoach
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12. Angela Koussian |
Prostitution |
2012 |
MPP student, Pepperdine University
BA, Chapman University |
13. Keith Lea |
2008 Election |
2008 |
BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Software engineer and programmer |
14. Spencer Levitt |
Golf, Prostitution |
2016 |
Tournament Coordinator for Chaminade Speech & Debate Society, Special Olympics Volunteer |
15. Christopher Lippi |
ACLU |
2009 |
Math Instructor, Vistamar School
MA, Mathematics, San Francisco State University |
16. Johnny Lo |
ACLU |
2009 |
VA and MD Licensed Attorney
JD, Washington & Lee University School of Law |
17. Jamie Lowry |
ACLU |
2009 |
CA and NV Licensed Attorney
JD, University of Michigan Law School |
18. Melanie McClinnis |
ACLU |
2009 |
CA Licensed Attorney
JD, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific |
19. Dillon McGrew |
ACLU |
2009 |
Law Student, Class of 2011, Georgetown University Law Center |
20. Morgan Metcalf |
Prostitution |
2013 |
Former intern for US Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)
BA, Brigham Young University |
21. Pavan Nagavelli |
ACLU |
2009 |
New Applications Specialist, Oliff & Berridge, PLLC
BA, Political Science, Allegheny College |
22. Robyn Nolan
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ACLU |
2009 |
FL, DC, and MD Licensed Attorney
JD, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center |
23. Lindsey Phoenix |
ACLU |
2009 |
Law Student, Class of 2010, Saint Louis University School of Law |
24. Kim Ray |
ACLU |
2009 |
CA Licensed Attorney and Paralegal of 17+ years |
25. Tracey Resetar |
ACLU |
2009 |
Adjunct Instructor, Paralegal Studies, State University of New York
LLM, Masters of Laws, Osgoode Hall – York University (Canada) |
26. Jonathan Saine |
ACLU |
2009 |
FL and CO Licensed Attorney
JD, Syracuse University College of Law |
27. Kharaam Sharifpour |
Gay Marriage, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |
2015 |
Masters of Intl. Public Policy and Management, USC Price School
Masters of Natural Disaster Management, University of Tehran |
28. Nicholas Singh |
Medical Marijuana |
2012 |
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering student, Arizona State University
Former Coordinator for Project CURE |
29. Zack Spratling |
Alternative Energy, Corporate Taxes & Jobs |
2016-2017 |
Management Consultant
MA, Accounting, Georgia State University
BS, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology |
30. April Wong |
PRO/CON @ The Pier |
2018 |
Commercial and editorial photographer; Founder, alovecreative.com
Former marketing manager |
31. Kate Wraith |
Illegal Immigration, Medical Marijuana |
2015 |
LLM, Lancaster University
Research Associate, Omega Research Foundation |
32. Gulcin Yilmazer |
ACLU |
2009 |
MA, Project Management, Keller-Graduate School of Management
MS, Food Science, Rutgers University |
IV. Volunteer Research Opportunities |
ProCon.org seeks volunteers to help with research, events, and special projects that advance the ProCon.org mission. Volunteers work directly and primarily on impactful projects with a minimal amount of mundane stuff that we are all unfortunately saddled with. Volunteers get a terrific experience, relationships with our staff and our network, our deepest gratitude, and recognition on the above list of volunteers and interns (unless you prefer anonymity).
Some of the projects for which we specifically need talented volunteers include:
- Researching new and improved quotes from authoritative experts to use in the quotes sections of our 70+ topics
- Updating existing arguments and building new arguments with support from studies, experts, and authoritative sources
- Updating existing research projects with latest data, normally from government sources such as CDC, WHO, FBI, etc.
- Using graphic design and marketing know how to develop promotional materials for website, social media, print, and event displays
- Coding/programming using WordPress, PHP, MySQL, HTML, and Java to make website improvements
- Proofreading existing content to find and fix grammar, spelling, links, layout, and other problems
- Fundraising – that includes grant writing, creating peer-to-peer campaigns, and working our CRM software
- Something in your area of expertise that you think we need
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V. How to Volunteer or Intern at ProCon.org |
If you are interested in volunteering or interning at ProCon.org, please send an email to jobs@procon.org titled “Re: Volunteering” and include:
- your resume,
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- your cover letter explaining
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a. the number of hours per week you can work, |
b. which project(s) of the ones listed above that you’d like to work on, |
c. an explanation of your relevant experience and interest, and |
d. any questions you have for us.
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- One clear, authoritative, and current pro quote and one clear, authoritative, and current con quote in response to the question “Should the US Use Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) to Extract Natural Gas?” It is OK to edit quotes using ellipses. Quotes should not already appear on the Alternative Energy ProCon.org website. Source links or PDFs should accompany your research.
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Our volunteers and interns work offsite, usually from their homes. To be credited as a volunteer, you’ll need to complete at least 20 hours of volunteer work in one month (not to exceed 8 hours in a day and 80 hours in a month) and submit weekly progress emails (number of hours worked that week, that month, and total to date, plus a 1-2 sentence summary of what you worked on).
After 50 hours of volunteer work, your title would be changed to Intern.
If you surpass 250 hours of volunteer work, then we’d change your title to Senior Intern. Internships cannot exceed 500 hours. Assignments and acceleration within the internship program are based on your interests, available projects, and quality of work submitted.
Failure to submit progress emails for two consecutive weeks will normally result in automatic termination of the volunteership and related recognition. Volunteerships and internships may also be terminated at ProCon.org’s discretion for poor quality of work and other reasonable reasons.
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