DESCRIPTION OF INTERNSHIP AND INTERN DUTIES

The Buffalo Export Assistance Center has a limited number of internships to offer undergraduate students considering careers in international business. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for consideration. Applicants must be enrolled no less than half-time in an accredited college or university. This is an unpaid internship.

The mission of the U.S. Commercial Service is to assist small and medium-size firms engaged in international trade. The Buffalo Export Assistance Center fulfills this mission through one-on-one business counseling. We help companies determine their market potential and provide comprehensive information regarding the business and economic conditions in those markets. We provide firms with direct sales leads, help establish contact with prospective overseas representatives, and offer promotional vehicles to introduce their products and services worldwide. As the principal government organization involved in international trade development and assistance, the Commercial Service offers a unique internship opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in international business.

The purpose of the internship is three-fold: 1) to provide a problem solving perspective within a "Real World" professional environment; 2) to provide the student with the ability to creatively link the theoretical world of paradigm, philosophies, values and techniques with practical and immediate tasks and goals; and 3) to provide the student with an inside awareness of the organizations, individuals and programs associated with the student's specialized area of interest.

Throughout the internship, the student will be assigned a host of duties and activities that are listed in detail below. These will allow the intern to gain an in-depth perspective of the methodology used by the Commercial Service to help increase the sale of U.S. products overseas, and acquire an understanding of the resources available to business persons seeking to penetrate foreign markets on their own.

The Intern will assist Trade Specialists and office support staff in the following administrative and operational duties:

1. Answer less technical inquiries received by letter, telephone and from walk-in visitors concerning international and domestic trade. Resources include commodity and economic reports, U.S. Foreign Trade statistics, trade lists, and other Commerce publications and data sources. Refers calls, which do not require the attention of a supervisory Trade Specialist to appropriate staff members.
2. Assists the Director and Trade Specialists in preparing special studies, the annual plan, statistical reports, and correspondence by obtaining and organizing information and background material.
3. On own initiative or from brief notes or verbal instructions, composes correspondence and memoranda relating to international and domestic trade activities of the District Office. Also enters email communications, routine letters, reports, and press releases into word processors as assigned by the District Director and supervisory Trade Specialists.
4. Receives telephone calls and furnishes general information and disposes of routine matters without referral. Assists Trade Specialists with arrangements for conferences and seminars.
5. Furnishes reference information sources on foreign markets for specific commodities including foreign tariff rates and documentary regulations, packing requirements, import and export licensing and exchange regulations, and Schedule B commodity numbers for individual export items.
6. Performs certain office administrative duties as assigned by the Director.
7. Students interested in this position may be from any major and is considering a career in International Trade after graduation. An ability to analyze basic trade data and prepare brief reports or summaries is important. Proficiency on a word processor is highly desirable. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
8. Finally, interns occasionally have the opportunity to work on major projects. Such projects may include research reports on selected topics, (i.e. country market/economic studies, industry studies, and "How to" guides pertaining to the export of specific products), as well as ongoing projects such as trade missions, recruitment for trade shows, etc.

Internships may not exceed 180 calendar days. Greatest consideration will be given to those nominees able to devote 20 hours a week or more. Applicants should indicate their preference for the spring, summer, or fall term.