We have recently begun advertising for a project assistant internship position for this spring/summer. Unfortunately, we do not have the funds this year to offer this as a paid position. However, we are willing to work with the student if he/she desires to obtain college credit for this experience – and, let me tell you, it will be quite an experience.

Many students turn up their noses at unpaid internships, thinking “why work for free?” and only want to work for the cream-of-the-crop corporate companies. What they don’t understand is that, many times, smaller organizations such as ours depend very heavily on their interns and are willing  to offer them a wide array of experiences and responsibilities that they most likely would not have elsewhere. The most important line in our internship description below is “Other duties/projects as needed.” At the EDC, we tend to craft our internships around each individual intern – What are his/her strengths? What does he/she have experience in? What does he/she WANT to have experience in?

For example, our last intern was a public relations major. While we had her do a variety of general office assistance, we also played up to her strengths by having her lead our social media awareness campaign. She created our “Social Media for Business” presentation and also presented it alongside our CEO at three seminars where local business owners, corporate vice presidents and others were in attendance. Previous interns have also built the foundation for our current programs and databases, including our research databases and site location assistance program.

So, while you may not be getting paid monetarily, you WILL get paid with resumé-building work experience, portfolio-enhancing projects, networking opportunities with influential businesspeople and the chance to grow and develop your personal work ethic and character.

Here is what our current Project and Data Analyst Ken Springer, who finished his master’s degree while interning at the EDC,  had to say about his internship:

“Interning at the EDC was an adventure.  Often, I’d find myself thrust into situations and projects with which I had no prior experience.  This terrified me at first, but I quickly realized that what I was really getting was an opportunity to develop new skills and test my ingenuity.  The EDC staff was great at letting me work  on the outside edge of my comfort zone, but was still there to give guidance when necessary.  Interning at the EDC requires you to think quickly and critically.  Your boldness is rewarded with a wealth of experience.”

Jonah Ralston, who is currently working on his doctorate degree at  Michigan State University, also talked about his experience:

“The benefits of internships cannot be overstated; they provide valuable practical experience, and they allow you to make a number of professional contacts. They offer an opportunity to differentiate yourself in a highly competitive job market or in an application to increasingly selective graduate programs. My time at the Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area afforded me many interesting opportunities, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time interning there during my senior year at Illinois State University.”

Grace Leopold, our most recent intern, now holds a marketing position in Chicago. She is thankful for all the knowledge she gained during her experience:

“Knowing essentially nothing about economic development when I first heard of the EDC, I anticipated learning a great deal during my time spent there. Not only did I learn a great deal about the vast array of hard work that goes into developing and retaining business in a community, I also learned politics, finance, community outreach, work ethic, dedication and what passion for a job really means. My internship was the most memorable and educational experience of my college career by far.”

Project Assistant (Internship)

The Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area (EDC) is a private, not-for-profit organization that helps businesses in McLean County grow and attracts new businesses to our community. We are a leadership organization, investing our community’s assets to grow and improve our prosperity and quality of life. We provide a number of services for businesses, including: small business/entrepreneurship services, financial assistance, research/demographic information, real estate services, workforce development and government advocacy. For more information about the EDC, visit our Web site at www.bnbiz.org or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bnbiz.

We are currently seeking an intern for the spring and summer who would like to develop his/her professional skills.

Intern Responsibilities:

• Adding to and maintaining the EDC’s various databases of available commercial/industrial properties, as well as further building relationships with local realtors and brokers, including those in rural municipalities
• Processing basic requests for community/demographic information
• Writing newsletter/blog articles on various economic development/business topics
• Scheduling and preparing for meetings
• Assisting staff with special projects
• Answering phones
• General office duties
• Other duties/projects as needed

Requirements:

• Strong communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Access to reliable transportation
• Sense of professionalism
• Quick learner
• Organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task

Undergraduate internships are unpaid; however, the intern will have the chance to work and network with several local business executives and potential future employers. Interns will be paid mileage and pre-approved expenses if necessary for activities. Hours will be semi-flexible, approximately 10-20 hours/week according to project needs. The EDC is willing to undertake additional steps to allow students to earn college credits for this internship, if desired.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter by March 1st via email to Brooke Weishaupt at brooke@bnbiz.org.