U.S. Commercial Service Internship

Are you interested in working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment full of challenge? How about sharpening your job skills while building your resume? Or perhaps you would like to compliment your academic expertise with international business training? If this sounds interesting, don't miss out on an opportunity to help U.S. companies engage the international marketplace!

As part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service is the premier federal agency that helps companies successfully export. Our office in Lawrenceville is part of a global network of more than 100 domestic offices and 150 international offices. We assist U.S. companies with entering international markets and with increasing export sales and market share by providing market research, introducing foreign buyers to U.S. exporters, and advocating on behalf of American business interests in more than 80 countries worldwide!

What is the work environment?

We are a team of highly motivated professionals with a range of international business expertise. We are responsible for providing high-value advice and guidance to companies making strategic business decisions. These decisions typically involve evaluating and entering new markets, increasing market share, resolving problems with overseas customers, financing export sales, product licensing, and selecting a distributor who will increase their company’s sales. Because we know how vital these decisions are, and that the market never sleeps, we emphasize accuracy and speed.

What can you expect from this internship?

U.S. Commercial Service’s Central-Southern NJ (Lawrenceville) office serves 13 counties in Southern and Central New Jersey. Our internship program is designed to provide real world experience to compliment academic lessons in international trade, international business, economics, and international affairs.

Through hands-on experience, interns will come to have a solid understanding of:

  • Problems confronting small to medium sized companies in the international marketplace
  • Role of international trade in a regional economy
  • Problems that confront policy makers as they attempt to open international markets for U.S. products

Major Job Responsibilities

  • Evaluate global opportunities for the purpose of presenting to targeted business groups
  • Prospective client follow up calls
  • Campaign support to generate attendance at trade shows and events
  • Maintain client database by entering, verifying, and backing up data
  • Create marketing materials and campaigns
  • Conduct global market research
  • Support staff before/after major international trade shows
  • Aid and attend trade seminars
  • Work with office staff in consulting on global market entry strategies

 Job Requirements

  • A relevant (for example, International Business, Marketing, Economics, International Relations, Political Science or Business Administration) major is not required, but is preferred
  • Excellent telephone communication and interpersonal skills
  • The ability to effectively manage time, meet deadlines, and balance multiple priorities
  • The ability to work independently and proactively, yet cooperate and fit into a team
  • A strong and consistent academic background, solid analytical skills, and the ability to present information - written and orally - in an organized, logical manner

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • You must be at least a half-time student pursuing a bachelors or graduate degree
  • You must be able to work 16 hours a week minimum during the fall/spring terms or 24 hours a week minimum during our summer term during our business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM)

Students with a wide mix of skills have completed successful internships with the U.S. Commercial Service, with undergraduate majors ranging from business, cultural studies, languages, economics, and political science.  In short, we look to your capabilities, motivation and attitude more so than a specific major or grade point average when evaluating our candidates. We look for evidence of personal motivation, resourcefulness, initiative and professionalism. This intern program is on a volunteer basis and is unpaid.  Off-campus work-study eligibility can usually be applied to this program.  Academic credit may also be offered as arranged by your educational institution.

Applications

Our internship program has 3 different terms (Spring, Summer, and Fall). We will be accepting applications for the Summer 2013 term beginning in February, 2013.

If you are a student interested in pursuing an internship with us and meet the eligibility requirements, please email your resume and cover letter to Patrick.kenny@trade.gov, with “Summer 2013 Internship” in the subject line.