Apply for an Internship

Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center is a learning environment that offers employment to university interns who use their work experience as an internship or part-time job. Experiential learning tactics are used to provide interns with the opportunity to learn event management techniques, project implementation, event marketing and fund development. Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center works with nonprofit organizations to coordinate placemaking events, fundraising events, marketing campaigns, and community festivals.  

Prospective interns will be recruited for their strong work ethic, their desire to make a social difference in the world they live, and their enduring spirit to lifelong learning with the underlying commitment to customer centricity and the power of placemaking.

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Qualifications:

• Undergraduate (Junior or Senior) student in event management, communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, or similar field of student study

• Passionate about experiential events and creating the opportunities for attendees to connect to the event product by using their five senses.

• Committed to learning on the job, with a willingness to work unusual hours, weekends

• Interest and knowledge of social media strategies and its application to events, public relations, and marketing.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Computer technical skills (preferred, but not required: Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, OneNote, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator)

• Must be willing to take initiative, demonstrate project management and follow-through, and willingness to work as a team in the office and for events

• A commitment to providing events and programs that are customer centric

• This is an internship that will stretch your comfort zone. You will be placed in direct customer service situations where you will need to think on your "feet" make decisions based on key learnings, and provide the utmost care for the people served.  It is not for the "faint-hearted."

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Job description and responsibilities:

• Assisting in creating, innovating, and managing projects including events, marketing initiatives, and product launches

• Designing, developing and updating marketing materials for events and programs

• Researching best business practices of competitive events to develop more innovative programs and support amenities for Kalamazoo/Portage events

• Participate as street team members for corporate events, trade shows, and expos.

• Gathering, generating, updating, and correcting databases, event grids, and procedures for events and promotional campaigns.

• Direct sales for fundraising activities including donations, sponsorships, and raffle donations.

• Gathering information and updating various event websites, and social media sites

• Managing events on site, which will require weekends and evening commitments

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Typical daily activities:

• Daily check of OneNote – this is an application that is required for internship assignments and responsibility.

• Intern e-mails for updates and information

• Be responsible for your own work schedule and responsibilities

• Update databases and contact information for various events being planned

• Design and implement new promotional materials and strategies for events

• Direct sales calls various sponsors and event participants periodically for updates

• Update event documents as necessary for each new year

• Manage volunteer databases and information

• Complete daily time sheets and record of hours for the different events

• Update how-to guides for events as protocol and dates change

Compensation:

There are a limited number of paid positions available.  Students can work their way through to a paid position.  More importantly, this internship will provide compensation of a stipend.  The Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center will work with the intern and their college/university for review, documentation and evaluation for college credit.  Interns are responsible for providing the forms and evaluations on a timely basis.  Internships are typically based on the collegiate schedule of a semester.

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How to apply:

Applications are taken via email to deb@eventkalamazoo.com with the following provided:

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• Cover email outlining why you would like this internship and which semester the internship is being requested for.

• A paragraph explaining (in a story format) the most amazing event you have attended.

• Course work in related fields (see fields outlined above)

• Resume