Jeffrey A. Finkle Ohio University Economic Development Internship now accepting applications

Thanks to multiple gifts to the Ohio University Foundation from the International
Economic Development Council (IEDC), Ohio University 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 Ohio
University 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’s largest economic
development membership organization, he contributes his expertise on community
revitalization, business development and job creation to projects nationwide.

Since the establishment of the internship, several students affiliated with the Voinovich School have had the opportunity to participate, including Francis Anagbonu, Maggie Clark, Kendra Green and Hannah Burke. Click on their names to learn how each of them applied their education at the School to gain hands on experience in economic development during the internship.

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 “provide leadership and excellence in economic development for our
communities, members, and partners.” 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 Ohio University 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’s 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’s 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 Ohio University Economic
Development Internship is available to both undergraduate (Junior or Senior status)
and graduate students who have worked with or have an affiliation with Ohio
University’s 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 are eligible to apply. All applicants must be Ohio
University 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 2nd, 2022. You remain eligible for consideration of the internship but
your last day in the position will be July 2nd.

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

INTERNSHIP PERIOD: Summer

LOCATION: Washington, DC

SALARY: $13.00/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: February 11th, 2022, 5:00 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.