External Relations, Special Events Internship
The Ohio University Alumni Association's special events intern will work directly with the
Director and Associate Director of the External Relations department and primarily supports
special events, reunions, and various gatherings for Ohio University alumni. These include
Homecoming, On the Green Weekend, various reunions, Bobcat Bashes, and numerous onand off- campus alumni events and activities. This position offers the student significant
opportunities to build networking contacts, explore several career paths in special event
planning, alumni relations and university advancement while developing immediate job skills.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Ohio University Alumni Association (OUAA) firmly believes the successful candidate will aid
the OUAA staff in furthering the goals and objectives of Vision Ohio, the Promise Lives
Campaign, University Advancement and the OUAA strategic plan by supporting the team in
effectively communicating with and programming for its diverse group of alumni and friends.
Duties include assisting with the planning, execution and staffing of special events, generating
publicity and facilitating alumni communication for alumni reunions, special programs and
events. Other duties as assigned may include managing research, compilation of event
materials, management of supplies, and participating in various meeting with internal and
external staff. This position will be housed at Konneker Alumni Center with the External
Relations team.
The student is required to perform both independently and collaboratively on tasks with
significant impact on the success of the OUAA. The student is expected to demonstrate sound
judgment, discretion, tact, and strong written and verbal communication skills. These skills will
be utilized to enhance current and future alumni awareness of services, programs and events of
the OUAA which ultimately result in support for the institution.
BENEFITS OF THE POSITION
The student will gain an understanding of potential career paths in alumni relations, university
advancement and event planning, while acquiring respectable portfolio samples and interacting
with alumni, fellow students, business and community leaders, and university officials. This
position provides the student with the opportunity to work independently and creatively to obtain
experience in self-management, responsible decision-making, teamwork, task follow-through,
relationship building and professional-level job expectations. The student will have frequent
opportunities to contribute to special events and programming which have the potential to win
nationally recognized awards through our professional organizations such as the Council for
Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Council of Alumni Association
Executives (CAAE).
Further, this position affords the student with significant opportunities to network externally with
many of Ohio University's 200,000-plus alumni who are professionally employed in a wide
variety of career areas and environments that include corporations, nonprofit institutions, and
service organizations, worldwide. This networking offers the student career exploration and job
opportunity enhancement.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least junior-class standing in a business, communications or consumer sciences major and a
desire to pursue a career in alumni relations, special events or meeting planning. A background
in interpersonal communication is required. Experience in catering, meeting logistics,
organizational development, and public relations are a plus, though not required.