Intern Expectations
The successful candidate for internship:
· Is pursing a degree in a relevant field of study (international relations, political science, foreign language, economics, etc.)
· Has reliable transportation.
· Is dependable, responsible, professional and enthusiastic.
· Is proficient with computers, office equipment, and computer programs (Word,Excel,Power Point, etc.)
· Possesses good written and oral communication skills.
· Works well in a team environment, yet has a strong self-initiative.
Duties & Responsibilities:
· Development, preparation, publication, execution and evaluation of programs.
· Receive and record reservations and payments by phone, e-mail, fax and mail.
· Contact school coordinators to determine student participation.
· Draft, edit and proofread program-related flyers, press releases, brochures, etc.
· Help with the setup, registration and cleanup of programs.
· Creation of documents, publications, letters and marketing materials.
· Preparation, maintenance and mailing of information packets and newspaper articles.
· Research related to programs, speakers, issues, grants, etc.
· Other duties as needed.
Direct Supervisor: Executive Director and Assistant to the Executive Director
Application Form:
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WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL of GREATER HAMPTON ROADS
INTERNSHIP
The World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads is a not-for-profit, non-partisan membership organization, open to the general public. The Council’s mission is to promote the community’s interest and better understanding of international affairs through public dialogue, based upon the belief that a well-informed citizenry is essential for the conduct of foreign affairs in a democracy. It was established in 1969 in response to the community’s need for education and information about global issues, foreign policy and international relations. Today, more than ever, the Council promotes and provides a greater understanding of world affairs to “Virginia’s Portal to the World” community. The Council is a chapter of the World Affairs Council of America, established in 1918. Our website is www.hrwac.org.
As an educational organization, our functions are numerous:
Present monthly distinguished speaker dinner-lecture programs.
Conduct the Great Decisions series in coordination with the Foreign Policy Association.
Schedule community outreach events with visiting dignitaries.
Provide subsidies for high school and college students to attend Council programs.
Act as a resource for area businesses, governments, organizations, media and academia.
Promote Hampton Roads to national and international visiting speakers.
There are internship opportunities in fall, spring and summer semesters. These are unpaid positions. However, internships can be for credit with the college or university department’s approval. Interns with majors in international affairs, government, mass communications, public relations, education, political science and computer science gain knowledge and experience in international relations, foreign affairs, diplomacy, event planning, and more. They meet dignitaries and influential members of the military, academic and business community. Interns receive complimentary admission to all Council programs.
Requirements
The successful candidate for internship:
Is pursing a degree in a relevant field of study (international relations, political science, foreign language, economics, etc.)
Has reliable transportation.
Is dependable, responsible, professional and enthusiastic.
Is proficient with computers, office equipment, and computer programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.)
Possesses good written and oral communication skills.
Duties & Responsibilities
The intern will be assigned responsibilities in the following areas:
Development, preparation, publication, execution and evaluation of programs:
o Receive and record reservations and payments by phone, e-mail, fax and mail.
o Contact school coordinators to determine student participation.
o Draft, edit and proofread program-related flyers, press releases, brochures, etc.
o Help with the setup, registration and cleanup of programs.
Creation of documents, publications, letters and marketing materials.
Preparation, maintenance and mailing of information packets and newspaper articles.
Research related to programs, speakers, issues, grants, etc.
Other duties as needed.
Direct Supervisor: Executive Director
Internship Objectives, Learning Activities and Evaluation Mechanisms
Learning Objective: Broaden awareness of today’s most significant international relations issues.
Learning Activities: Attend five Distinguished Speaker programs and eight Great Decisions programs conducted by the Council during this semester. (Fall and Spring semesters only)
Evaluation Mechanisms: Encourage discussion of subjects addressed and assess intern’s interest, comprehension and ability to reason.
Learning Objective: Understand the basic structure of non-profit organizations, their legal basis (501c3 criteria), their financial responsibilities and liability, and their value to the American way of life.
Learning Activities: Attend selected board or committee meetings and/or participate in staff discussions that address these issues.
Evaluation Mechanisms: Assess the nature of questions and the level of curiosity exhibited by the intern. Discuss these issues during mid-period and final interview sessions.
Learning Objective: Understand and arrange a significant public event with guest speakers or panelists, involving meals, distinguished speakers and all preparatory administration.
Learning Activities: Actual performance assisting the Council staff and leadership in these endeavors.
Learning Mechanisms: Assess the intern’s ability to foresee issues, pre-plan, deal with changes, create solutions, and conclude an event with gratitude for participants, including stuffing envelopes in the early stages to thanking speakers and assistants in the final stages. Discuss the same during final interviews.
Learning Objective: Become aware of the day-to-day activities that a not-for-profit organization must accomplish to be healthy, competent, effective and able to respond to opportunities or to challenges.
Learning Activities: Answer phones; manage, act on, or direct to appropriate persons for action, the Council’s daily email messages, regular incoming mail and fax messages as appropriate. Maintain the Council’s membership database, its program reservations database, and other databases accurately.
Learning Mechanisms: Assess the intern’s sense of responsibility, his or her readiness to ask for guidance rather than risk important files, his or her ability to pay attention to detail while maintaining sight of larger objectives. Discuss same during final interviews.
Learning Objective: Understand the role, value and use of technology in an organization.
Learning Activities: Increase proficiency in MS Excel, and Outlook in planning and organizing tasks and information.
Learning Mechanisms: Assess the intern’s ability to create files and databases, maintain electronic calendar, download information from the internet, create and respond to e-mail messages, manage a to-do list. Skills will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
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WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL of GREATER HAMPTON ROADS
Application for Internship
Date: ______________ Applicant’s Name: _______________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Phone: __________ Fax: ___________ E-mail Address: ________________________________
College or University: _________________________________________________ GPA: ______
Major: ________________________________ Foreign Language: ___________________
Name of Department Head: __________________________________________________________
Phone: _________ Fax: ___________ E-mail Address: ________________________________
Computer Skills: _________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Work History: ________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Career Goals: ________________________________________________________________________
Interests and Activities: _________________________________________________________________
If selected, how do you expect to benefit from this internship? __________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What would your presence contribute to the office of the World Affairs Council? ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
References:
Professor(s): ________________________________________________________________________
Contact Info: ________________________________________________________________________
Person(s) familiar with your job skills: ____________________________________________________
Contact Info: ________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your interest in the World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads. We will contact you in the near future. If you have any questions, please contact our office at (757) 363.3090; fax: (757) 363.3091; worldaffairs@hrwac.org