Foreign Procurement Advocacy Intern (Remote or In-Person)
U.S. Department of Commerce Internship (Remote or Part-Time In-Person) Opportunity
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in international business or foreign affairs? The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Advocacy Center wants you! (**Note: Please send cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts DIRECTLY to the contacts listed below in the "Geographic or Industry Area of Interest" section when applying**)
The DOC Advocacy Center (AC) is offering remote internships for the Spring 2023 semester, where interns will work from wherever they are located on their own personal computers. (Washington, DC-based interns would also have the option to work at least partially onsite from DOC Headquarters, based on agreement with your supervisor)
Students may do the internship for class credit if allowed by your school.
About Us:
Based in Washington, D.C., the Advocacy Center is a unit of the Global Markets/Commercial Service (GM/CS) bureau of the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters bidding on foreign public-sector contracts. We work closely with Commercial Service Offices within U.S. embassies and other diplomatic missions overseas.
The Advocacy Center helps to ensure that U.S. exports have the best possible chance competing abroad. Advocacy assistance is wide and varied but often involves companies that want the U.S. Government to communicate a message to foreign governments on behalf of their commercial interest in a competitive bid contest.
Intern Responsibilities:
* The primary duty will be to conduct background research on U.S. companies applying for advocacy
* Enter and track cases in the Advocacy Center’s database
* Take part in conference calls and online meetings with representatives from other government agencies and U.S. companies
* Create and analyze reports on the Advocacy Center’s activities across the world
* Develop strategies to help U.S. companies win foreign public-sector contracts
Our interns gain a broad view of how the U.S. Government interacts with players in international trade, from domestic U.S. agencies to foreign governments. Since our interns often join us on calls and videoconferences with representatives from both U.S. businesses and government agencies, they gain valuable insight into issues faced by major companies when competing for foreign government contracts.
Dates of Internship:
For start and end dates, see Handshake ad. *Start and end dates are flexible.
Internship Requirements:
*Intern must be an enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate school)
*Student must be a rising junior or above
*3.25 minimum GPA
*U.S. citizenship
*Internship hours are flexible, but students must be able to work at least 24 hours (3 full days) per week, with accommodations made for classes.
What We Look For:
The Advocacy Center’s scope tends to fit well with students interested in subjects such as international affairs, trade, federal government, economics, business, defense studies, law, history, and other political and social sciences.
Much of the intern’s duties will focus on performing due diligence on companies, so attention to detail and research skills are helpful. Those with strong writing skills are highly encouraged.
Overall, strong communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude are essential!
Geographic or Industry Area of Interest:
Although based in Washington, DC, the Advocacy Center's scope of work is spread over different geographic regions: Europe/Western Hemisphere; Middle East/Africa; Indo-Pacific
***Based on your geographic area of interest, please send your resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts to (*Note: We encourage the prospective intern apply for only one of the geographic/industry areas at a time*)
Middle East/Africa: Amy Tabine (amy.tabine@trade.gov )
Indo-Pacific: Hallie Offen (hallie.offen@trade.gov)
Europe/Central Asia/Western Hemisphere: Patrice Williams ( patrice.williams@trade.gov )
Industry (Defense): We currently have a position open where the intern would work solely on defense industry-related cases across all geographic regions. Interested students should send cover letter, resume, and transcripts to: Xiaobing Feng (xiaobing.feng@trade.gov)
To find out more about the Advocacy Center, visit our website at www.trade.gov/advocacy
Check with your school's Internship Coordinator BEFORE accepting the hiring offer to determine if this position satisfies the criteria for receiving academic credit.