CS Portugal Student Internship Program

"The Mission of the Commercial Service is to promote exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small and medium-sized businesses, and to protect United States business interests abroad."

For over 20 years, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce has successfully brought together exporters and importers of U.S. goods and services from around the world. Our teams of more than 1,800 trade professionals in 105 U.S. cities and 151 U.S. Embassies, Consulates and Trade Centers all over the globe are trained to help companies navigate the complex international trade process.

Located in the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, the CS Portugal Office’s objective is to assist, promote and expand US exports to Portugal by developing local contacts, researching market trends and indentifying potential business opportunities for US companies. The Commercial Service provides US companies with a range of services to locate interested buyers, partners, distributors and agents, and advocates on behalf of US companies and interests when they face trade barriers that impede them from conducting business.

If you’d like to learn more about the Commercial Service visit: http://www.export.gov and for information specifically about CS Portugal go to: https://www.buyusa.gov/portugal/en/

Internship Description

The Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, known as CS Portugal, would like you to consider joining our team as a volunteer intern. CS Portugal is a small, yet dynamic office with plenty of opportunities for you to learn and to build experience into your resume.

An intern will assist trade specialists and provide general support for the market research and business facilitation services provided by the Embassy's U.S. Commercial Service to U.S. and Portuguese companies.  Depending upon the intern's capability and interest, as well as the duration, and timing of the internship, the intern's responsibilities will vary and may include some or all of the following duties:

• Assist the commercial staff with routine business inquiries by phone, fax, email and internet.
• Assist commercial staff with market research and reporting.
• Assist commercial staff with pending projects such as trade fair recruitment, the organization of technical seminars, tradeshows and commercial events, company promotion, matchmaking services, training activities, and electronic and printed publications.
• Assist commercial staff with administrative tasks, in particular, projects related to the maintenance of the local website, electronic client databases, document management and translation, and filing.

Interns must meet the following qualifications:

• Portuguese or US Citizenship.
• Advanced proficiency in reading, writing and speaking in English and Portuguese.
• Computer literacy, including MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Internet. Additional advanced knowledge of graphics, publishing, and other business software is desirable.
• Current enrollment at an undergraduate or post-graduate institution.
• Ability to obtain a background security clearance.

The Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon provides students who are exploring a career in international business, marketing, economics, diplomacy, or foreign affairs the opportunity to work in the area of international trade together with our team. The internship offers an invaluable experience to integrate academic theory and workplace requirements, gain relevant skills and knowledge, explore Federal career options, develop professional networks, and gain a greater awareness of the role of Federal agencies. We look forward to your contact!

Application Process

If interested, please contact us with the following documents:

• Resume: Your contact details, citizenship, education background, prior work experience, skills and interests.
• Cover Letter: Detailing your interest, relevant experience and how you hope to benefit from this internship.
• Contact References
• Writing Sample
• Availability: Including your preferred schedule and dates of work.

American Embassy Lisbon
U.S. Commercial Service
Avenida das Forças Armadas
1649-044 Lisbon - Portugal
Phone: 011-351-21-770 2528 / 727 3300
Fax: 011-351-21-726-8914
Email: lisbon.office.box@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov

This information must be received by our office well in advance of your intended start date.  Once received, applications will be reviewed by our office and successful candidates will be invited to interview.  If offered an internship, you will be asked to complete a background security clearance.

The security clearance, which is required prior to beginning work at the Embassy, can take up to 90 days to complete. Please ensure to allow a sufficient amount of time to process both your application and security clearance.

This internship is a volunteer service. Federal regulations prohibit financial compensation and interns will not be entitled to leave, retirement, health or insurance benefits, subsistence allowance, quarters, or any other reimbursements or payments in kind. Upon successful completion of the internship an official letter of recommendation will be provided as well as an intern profile page posted to our website. Most American universities will award 3-6 credits for a completed full-time internship. Work schedules to be negotiated.

For more information on intern experiences, go to: CS Portugal Intern Profiles