The Pittsburgh Commercial Service Internship Experience...

 Are you interested in working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment full of challenge? How about sharpening your job skills while building your resume? Or perhaps you would like to compliment your academic expertise with international business training?

...If this sounds interesting then don't miss out on an opportunity to assist U.S. companies engage the international marketplace!

As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, Export Assistance Center of Western Pennsylvania is the premier agency that helps companies to achieve exporting success. We assist U.S. companies with entering international markets and with increasing export sales and market share. Through our global network of more than 110 domestic offices and 250 international offices, the U.S. Commercial Service provides market research, introduces foreign buyers to U.S. exporters, and advocates on behalf of American business interests in more than 85 countries around the globe!

The U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) of Western Pennsylvania, located in downtown Pittsburgh, is the local presence of the U.S. Commercial Service, serving 31 counties of Pennsylvania. Our internship program is designed to provide real world experience to compliment academic lessons in international trade, international business, economics, and international affairs.

Through hands-on experience, interns will come to have a solid understanding of:

• Problems confronting small to medium sized companies in the international marketplace
• Role of international trade in a regional economy
• Problems that confront policy makers as they attempt to open international markets for U.S. products

What is the work environment?
Our office culture resembles a fast-paced global business more than a typical government office. We are a team of highly motivated professionals with a range of international business expertise. We are responsible for providing high-value advice and guidance to companies making strategic business decisions. These decisions typically involve evaluating and entering new markets, increasing market share, resolving problems with overseas customers, financing export sales, product licensing, and selecting a distributor who will increase their company’s sales. Because we know how much vital these decisions are, and that the market never sleeps, we emphasize accuracy and speed.

What can you expect from an internship...
As part of the internship program, interns will work closely with International Trade Specialists. Interns help to develop and prepare market research, match local companies with international opportunities, and answer export related questions from a wide variety of sources. Additionally, interns will also have the chance to work on special projects.

Interns have the opportunity to plan, recruit for, and host seminars that feature government officials, visiting overseas staff, and market and industry specialists from Washington D.C.. Interns schedule appointments for the visiting staff and accompany the visitors to the meetings to provide assistance. Interns are often given the responsibility of representing our office in a variety of venues. We believe in giving interns responsibility for projects and mentoring them as they develop.

Though the internship is unpaid, the valuable experience gained during the program can prove to be very beneficial in the future, especially if the intern is interested in working for the federal government. The office does maintain current registration with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency as a work study employer (please contact PHEAA or your school for more information and program details). If you are seeking paid Federal employment, please refer to http://www.usajobs.opm.gov for a complete listing of job announcements.

Qualities we look for in an intern...

• Strong interest in professional experience to compliment academic background
• Solid analytical skills
• Self-motivation and professionalism
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Internship opportunities are available during the fall, spring, and summer terms.

Eligibility Requirements
You must be a U.S. citizen.
You must be at least a half-time student.
You must be able to work 16 hours a week minimum during the fall/spring terms and 24 hours a week minimum during our summer term. 

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2009 term, the deadline for applications is June 5th 2009.   The Fall internship will take place from August 24th- December 11th 2009.

If you are a student interested in pursing an internship with us and meet the eligibilty requirements, please complete the application below or contact Erin McBride at Erin.McBride@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov .