Internship Opportunities at the Cleveland U.S. Export Assistance Center

Please note:

We accept applications on a continual basis throughout the year. Internships are normally available for the summer, fall and spring semesters. The application deadline for Fall 2013 internships is June 15, 2013.

The Commercial Service Internship Experience

As part of the Commercial Service internship program for the U.S. Department of Commerce, an intern will work closely with International Trade Specialists. An intern's role is to help International Trade Specialists to develop and prepare market research, match local companies with international opportunities, and answer export-related questions from a wide variety of sources. Additionally, an intern gains a familiarity with export finance, marketing, cultural issues, and rigorous analyses in a fast-paced, real-world setting. Here at the Cleveland U.S. Export Assistance Center, an intern will come to have a solid understanding of the

  • Issues 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

Daily Activities and Responsibilities

  • Provide support to International Trade Specialists in outreach, market research, trade promotion, and international trade and policy development
  • Research and analysis on commercial markets worldwide
  • Research on policy and regulatory issues involving global markets
  • Develop and present reports based on research
  • Database management
  • Promotion of industry and trade education events
  • Fulfill duties of assisting visitors, handling telephone inquiries, and performing clerical and administrative support

Academic Major(s)/Areas of Study

Students majoring in International Business (Finance, Marketing, etc.), Economics, Political Science, Law, or those who have completed International Business coursework will be given priority. However, students majoring in other related fields of study will also be considered.

Qualifications and Requirements

General Qualifications

  • Strong and consistent academic background
  • Solid analytical and research skills
  • Able to communicate effectively – written and orally – in an organized, logical format
  • Evidence of personal motivation, initiative, professionalism, and resourcefulness
  • Demonstrably strong interpersonal skills in person and on the phone

Eligibility Requirements

  • A U.S. citizen – Green Card not sufficient
  • Able to use MS Office applications and email
  • At least 18 years of age
  • A full or part-time student, enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an accredited academic institution with a minimum of 3.0 GPA
  • Able to commit to at least 16-20 hours per week during the term.

Salary/Wage

The internship is on a volunteer/unpaid basis; however, academic credit may be offered as arranged by your educational institution, and the valuable experience gained during the program can prove to be very beneficial in the future (especially if the intern is interested in working for the federal government). *If you are seeking paid Federal employment, please refer to http://www.usajobs.opm.gov for a complete listing of job announcements.

Application Process

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student that meets the eligibility requirements and are interested in pursuing an internship, please send a cover letter and your resume to: office.cleveland@trade.gov