51社区

Thanks to multiple gifts to the 51社区 Foundation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), 51社区 offers undergraduate and graduate students affiliated with the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service with the opportunity to intern at the IEDC and gain practical, hands-on experience in local economic development issues and trends.

The establishment of this internship recognized 25 years (and now over 30) of national leadership in economic development by Jeffery A. Finkle, a graduate of 51社区 and University Medal of Merit recipient. Jeff Finkle is a recognized leader and international authority on economic development. As President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the world鈥檚 largest economic development membership organization, he contributes his expertise on community revitalization, business development and job creation to projects nationwide.

ORGANIZATION PROFILE: The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to helping economic developers do their job more effectively and raising the profile of the profession. When we succeed, our members create more high-quality jobs, develop more vibrant communities, and generally improve the quality of life in their regions. Their Mission is to 鈥減rovide leadership and excellence in economic development for our communities, members, and partners.鈥� They embrace the following core values. They reflect and support our mission, and guide our decisions, actions and provision of services:

• Social responsibility and a dedication to building healthy, just, and competitive communities
• Creation of wealth for individuals, businesses, and communities
• Advancement of both the economic development profession and economic development professional
• Cooperation and collaboration
• Diversity, tolerance, and equity

POSITION DESCRIPTION:  The Jeffrey A. Finkle 51社区 Economic Development Intern will work closely with the staff at IEDC as part of a team in a fast-paced environment to help advance IEDC鈥檚 mission. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the subject of how communities recover economically through hands-on research. You will network with experts in economic development and related industries as well as gain an insider鈥檚 view on career opportunities in economic development.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct and compile research on latest trends in economic development. This often involves a heavy amount of verbal phone interviews with practitioners and research institutions, in addition to internet and journal-based research.
• Assist with best practice research and case study development on various economic development subjects
• Assist in the preparation of forums on various economic development subjects/topics
• Help with site visit preparation and background research for economic development assessments for communities

Interns at IEDC play an integral role in the organization and are treated as such, with content-based activities significantly outweighing administrative tasks. As such, interns are expected to be self-starters and have comfort with taking ownership to see tasks and projects through to completion.

This competitive internship is geared for students who wish to learn new subjects, expand current knowledge, and gain valuable work experience, particularly in the area of economic development. Interns often have the opportunity to attend local IEDC conferences, brown bag lunches and professional development webinars.

Summer interns are expected to work up to a 40-hour work week and commit 10 weeks of their summer to the internship.

QUALIFICATIONS: The Jeffrey A. Finkle 51社区 Economic Development Internship is available to both undergraduate (Junior or Senior status) and graduate students who have worked with or have an affiliation with 51社区鈥檚 Voinovich School. In addition to MPA, MSES, and Voinovich Scholars, those students who have had a current or past work placement at the Voinovich School through the applied Centers and Consortium are eligible to apply. All applicants must be 51社区 students in good academic standing at the time of application.

Students must be pursuing a field-related to economic development, city and regional planning, public administration or public policy.

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

NOTE: If you are a graduating senior, your last eligible date for employment in this internship is July 1st, 2023. You remain eligible for consideration of the internship but your last day in the position will be July 1st.

NOTE: If you are a graduating international student you must have authorization to work post-graduation.

INTERNSHIP PERIOD: Summer

LOCATION: Washington, DC

SALARY: $13/hour (Housing and transportation is the responsibility of the intern)

STIPEND and TUITION ASSISTANCE: No (travel assistance is provided but is considered taxable income)

COLLEGE CREDITS: This internship is eligible for college credit with a maximum of six credits available. Intern is required to submit a weekly journal to their faculty sponsor as well as a final paper.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb. 12, 2023, 5 p.m.

TO APPLY: 

Submit the following materials via e-mail to Amista Lipot at lipot@ohio.edu :

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. One writing sample (not to exceed 15 pages, typed and double spaced)
4. Two letters of reference
5. One completed faculty sponsor form

For questions, contact Amista Lipot via email at lipot@ohio.edu or by phone at 740.597.1558.