Economic Development Intern (Spring 2027)

The Economic Development Intern will work closely with the Economic Empowerment team to promote client economic growth and encourage clients to work towards their long-term goals. The intern will assist in implementing career development training and financial coaching for refugees to become economically self-sufficient.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with IRC Employment Specialists and Financial Coaches to implement and monitor performance on the Career Development Program
• Teach Advanced Job Readiness Trainings including: introduction to career development, business writing, networking, interview preparation and financial literacy
• Counsel and guide clients through the process of working towards long-term career goals by providing: individual trainings, resume and cover letter preparation, one-on-one job application assistance, etc.
• Provide group and individual trainings aimed at successful workforce integration
• Accompany clients to job preparation activities and interviews; coach clients on interview preparation
• Assist clients in setting up bank accounts, teach financial literacy workshops and assist clients with loan applications
• Assist clients in completing new hire paperwork, employment program documentation and other administrative tasks as needed
• Audit employment program files to ensure documentation adheres to program requirements and update program databases regularly
• Advocate for clients’ rights in the labor market by providing references for clients and meeting with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring IRC clients
• Other duties as identified by Employment Specialists

Requirements

• Self-motivated; able to work independently
• Ability to collaborate with fellow interns to create/teach trainings. This is a team-focused internship.
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change
• Confident in public speaking or interest to develop these skills
• Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues as well as in workforce development
• Language skills in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Hindi or Swahili are a plus
• Three month minimum.
• Required 20+ hours/week. Preferred 35+ hours/week.
• Preference to current students and recent graduates.
• Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation will be processed as volunteers.

Skills

• Training Development
• Training Delivery
• Public Speaking
• Economic Development
• Workforce Development
• Financial Coaching
• Client Economic Empowerment
• Refugee Issues
• Asylee Issues
• Communications Skills
• Writing Skills
• Team Collaboration

Languages

English