Public Relations and External Organizational Communication Internship
Big Brothers Big Sisters
(Serving Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren Counties)
3501 Covington Road
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Phone: (269) 382-6800

Web: http://www.bbbsmi.org/

Internship objective: Student intern will receive hands on experience in public relations and external organizational communication by assisting projects including news releases, flyers, brochures, business letters, quarterly newsletter, and special events.
About the interning organization: Mentoring with Big Brothers Big Sisters is a great way to help make Little Moments into Big Magic for local children. Each of us has been impacted in life by someone other than our parents; through mentoring, adult volunteers can have an impact on a child’s life. We invite you to come and be a part of the magic of Big Brothers Big Sisters. You can get more information from our Customer Relations Specialist or by visiting our website at http://www.bbbscommunity.org/.

Interning organization’s mission: Our philosophy is that of placing one adult volunteer with a carefully-selected child who can benefit from an additional caring adult in his or her life. Since 1958, Big Brothers Big Sisters, A Community of Caring has served thousands of this area’s children by providing carefully selected, trained, and professionally supported volunteer mentors, who have, in turn, motivated guided and inspired their Little Brothers and Sisters to become confident, socially competent and responsible adults.

Semesters Interns are needed: fall, spring, su 1& su II (annually)

Number of Interns needed: 1

Start date: On or near the beginning of the semester

End date: On or near the end of the semester

Hours per week: 10-15 hours per week/depending upon the number of weeks scheduled to intern.

Academic qualifications: Declared major in Communication Studies, Organizational Communication, Public Relations, Journalism or a declared minor in Communication.

Desired skills and qualifications:

1. Student interns should be 18 years +, outgoing and willing to help
2. Good written and verbal communication skills, plus computer skills.
3. Transportation helpful but not absolutely required.
   

Description of intern responsibilities:

1. Prepare written materials, including news releases, business letters, flyers, brochures copy, information sheets, invitations, newsletters, and miscellaneous mailings and bulk e-mails.
2. Make personal and telephone contacts with potential volunteers, families, donors, community supporters, and the news media.
3. Represent the agency at special events such as United Way agency fairs, campus recruitment events, and other public forums to raise awareness of the agency and its needs among the public.
4. Manage various client lists, as needed.
5. Develop internal and external communication plans relating to specific agency projects.
6. Plan and carry out special events; provide assistance for agency events and fundraising projects.
   

Location: Big Brothers Big Sisters 3501 Covington Road Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Phone: (269) 382-6800

Intern sponsor: Deborah Beyer, Communications Coordinator

Credit: College credit toward communication major, minor or general electives. One hour of college credit is earned for 40 hours of work.

Interested Students should contact: Deborah Beyer, Communications Coordinator
Big Brothers Big Sisters
3501 Covington Road
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001
Phone: (269) 382-6800 Ext 211
Email: DeborahBeyer@bbbscommunity.org


Evaluation: The evaluation will be completed by Marilyn Kritzman, Coordinator of Undergraduate Internships and will be based upon the following:
1. The student’s journal/log of all intern activities
2. The student’s copy of all work produced
3. A final paper evaluating the internship based on what the student has learned in
their academic courses.
4. The internship sponsor’s mid-internship evaluation
5. The internship sponsor’s end of the internship evaluation

Method of Evaluation:

1. Student’s on going journals and final log: 20%
2. Copies of work submitted: 20%
3. Paper: 20%
4. Internship sponsor’s mid-internship evaluation: 20%
5. Internship sponsor’s end of the internship evaluation: 20%
   

Calendar:

1. E-mail updates to the Coordinator of Undergraduate Internship every month
2. Additional communication via email, phone or in person as needed
3. All materials are to be submitted to the School of Communication’s Coordinator of
4. Undergraduate Internships the Wednesday prior to final weeks of the semester/session registered
   

Student’s Signature


Intern sponsor's (at internship site) signature


Coordinator of Undergraduate Internship’s (Marilyn S. Kritzman) signature