Public Relations/Corporate Communication Internship with the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce

Public Relations/Corporate Communication Internship
Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce
346 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-5700
(269) 381-4000
www.kazoochamber.com

Internship objective: As an intern with the Chamber you will begin learning the art of business to business sales by working in tandem with the Chambers Sales Director. You will also be expected to attend meetings with clients to discuss the services the Chamber extends to its members. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to implement target account selling, territory management, developing recruiting resources, tracking and evaluating activity and relaying information gathered to the internal staff of the office. As well as gaining valuable networking possibilities and future knowledge to expand on career opportunities. Finally, adding valuable experience to your resume.

About the interning organization: The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in the county, with more than 1,700 member companies. The Chamber is a private, non-profit, voluntary, membership organization which advocates for business. Members range from sole proprietorships to multi-national corporations.

Interning organizations mission: The mission of The Chamber is to help members grow and prosper through leadership, programs and services focused on competitiveness, community improvement, and regional cooperation.

Semesters interns are needed: fall, spring, summer I & summer II annually

Number of interns needed: minimum of one

Start date: On or near the first day of the semester, negotiable

End date: On or near the last day of the semester, negotiable

Hours per week: Approximately 20

Academic qualifications: Interns with the team should have a declared major in the School of Communication or Sales and Business Marketing.

Desired skills and qualifications: Student interns should
• Take ownership for exceeding performance goals
• Ability to communicate effectively (demonstrated "grace under pressure")
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills
• Interest in developing relationships with corporate executives
• A strong academic record
• Superior poise and judgment
• Strong service ethic


Description of intern responsibilities: Sales Interns at the Chamber spend their days contacting prospective members of the community that seek benefits for their organization. Through both telephone and direct-mail efforts, the Sales Intern’s goals are to generate interest and secure business meetings on behalf of Sales Director.

The "average day" of the Sales Intern is centered on:
• Communication with prospective members (75-80%)
o This includes cold calling, prospecting, proactive emails and mailings, among other sales tactics

• Sales Support (10-15%)
o This includes scheduling follow up meetings for the Sales Director, confirming business meetings, among other various administrative and support tasks

• Institutional and Prospective Member Research (10-15%)
o This includes researching companies and executives within your territory of prospects, as well as understanding the research terrain you are selling


Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Intern sponsor (at the interning organization): Tom Dammer

Credit: College credit toward communication major, minor or general electives. One hour of college credit is earned for 40 hours of work up to 6 credit hours.

Interested students should contact: Tom Dammer
Membership Sales Director
The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce
Phone: (269) 381-2977 ext. 3241
Cell: (269) 598 -2189
Fax: (269) 343-0430
Email: tdammer@KazooChamber.com


Evaluation: The evaluation and grade will be completed by Internship Coordinator Marilyn Kritzman and will be based upon the following:
 The student’s journal/log/observation of all intern activities
 The student’s copy of all work produced
 The student’s learning objectives and progress made toward the learning objectives
 Final paper
 The internship sponsor mid-internship evaluation
 The internship sponsor final evaluation

Method of Evaluation:
 Student’s journal/log: 20%
 Student’s work: 20 %
 Paper: 20%
 Internship sponsor mid-internship evaluation: 20%
 Internship sponsor final evaluation: 20%

Calendar:
 E-mail updates to faculty sponsor every month.
 Additional communication via email, phone or in person as needed
 All materials are to be submitted to Marilyn Kritzman on the Wednesday prior to final weeks of the semester/session registered.
 Internship sponsor evaluation due half way through the internship
 Internship sponsor final evaluation due the Wednesday of finals week with the rest of the material. The evaluation may be submitted with the student’s materials in a sealed envelope, or the sponsor may submit it separately by the due date.


Student’s Signature


Intern sponsor’s (at internship site) signature


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