Description:

Internship Department: External Affairs and Communication

Objective: Assist in the aquarium’s internal and external communication projects, media relations opportunities and events.

Responsibilities:
• Willingness to interact with both internal and external audiences via telephone or in-person. Updates PR Director and Manager accordingly.
• Light media pitching; returning media calls and requests
• Writing press releases and pitches
• Assisting staff with internal communication needs
• Assisting Conservation Communications Manager with newsroom development, research and social media needs
• Coordinating logistics for media interview opportunities and events
• Producing background research on various zoo and aquarium or activist industry news.
Final Product(s): The candidate will gain a solid grounding in their public relations skills needed to understand and navigate the media world for a nonprofit organization. The candidate will be exposed to local, regional and national media and involved in promoting Shedd’s programs, events and educational opportunities.

Qualifications: A desirable candidate must be able to multitask, have excellent organizational skills, be deadline-oriented, have the ability to work independently, be energetic and eager to learn. A candidate must also think critically, creatively, be a self-starter, have a passion for public relations and possess excellent time management skills. Intern should be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and must be able to work flexible hours including some early mornings, nights and weekends as necessary, and walk/stand for extended periods of time. Professional work ethic and demeanor is imperative.

Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4-point scale

Desired year in school: College senior or recent undergrad graduate.
Compensation: Unpaid. Interns must make arrangements with their schools to gain academic credit for this internship. Shedd Aquarium is happy to provide any work documentation necessary for this process.

Desired Majors: Candidate will possess either a B.A. in the area of Communications, Public Relations or Journalism or academic progress toward a B.A. in these fields of study.
Time Commitment: Three to five days a week; 24 to 35 hours weekly (set schedule will be determined based on intern availability).

Learning Potential: Exposure to a variety of media relations opportunities, including cultural and environmental issues through public relations projects, internal and external. Relationship building with local, regional and national media outlets.
Connections to other Shedd staff and interns through formal and informal trainings as well as mentorship opportunities.

If you have any questions regarding this internship or our program, please e-mail us at internship@sheddaquarium.org.

Paid Internship Info:

unpaid

End Date:

May 10th, 2013, , , December 15th, 2012,

Deadline:

April 15th, 2013

Tags:

Communications  Public  Relations 

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