The Somerville Chamber of Commerce -- a small, private, non-profit, voluntary business association -- has worked successfully with more than a dozen students (from three universities) on summer and full-credit internship projects. Through brief internships, the Chamber also offers college juniors and seniors and graduate students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience within reasonable time commitments by matching narrow topics to their fields or careers of interest. The organization’s capacity to mentor and supervise these internships is made possible in part by the support of the Chamber’s New Group.

Topic #1: Digital Strategy
The Chamber communicates with: a network of 275+ member companies and organizations; a local community of 78,000 residents; and regional media. Digital Strategy provides platforms to connect by developing content, tools and opportunities.

Intern will:

• gain a basic understanding of the Chamber’s mission and audiences; and
• recommend and help develop web, mobile, email, and/or social media.

Topic #2: Business Networking
The Chamber serves a diverse community of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Intern will:

• gain a basic understanding of local business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators;
• identify underserved segments of this community; and
• help create to innovative ways to engage and network these people.

Topic #3: Public Policy
The Chamber initiates and responds to local public policy proposals that impact the urban quality of life and economic climate.

Intern will:

• gain a basic understanding of how local policy impacts living and doing business;
• conduct directed research into principles and best practices behind specific proposals;
• produce brief advisories on above; and
• depending on quality of internship work product, receive credit in Chamber online publication.

Topic #4: Historical Population Research
Urban population dynamics help explain the City’s past and suggest its future. Somerville became New England’s most densely populated city in 1910. Over 100 years later, Somerville is still #1 in this category. But, the distinction has taken on new meaning and significance.

Intern will:

• conduct directed research into U.S. Census data 1900 – 2010;
• track key demographics including the rise of: the 25-34 year old cohort; education; income; and mobility;
• present charts of selected data comparisons and contrasts; and
• depending on quality of internship work product, receive credit in Chamber online publication.
  

Topic #5: Student recommended – from practical to theoretical
The Chamber has practical, business association management, and marketing goals as well as interests in – greater Somerville related -- theoretical social, cultural, economic, innovation, and urban studies projects.

The candidate will:

• provide a one-page description of proposed internship project;
• propose – hours per week and duration (include specific weeks);
• describe work product and delivery date; and
• depending on quality of internship work product, receive credit in Chamber online publication.

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New Group Internships, on a revolving basis, are designed to be largely independent, 15-40 hours per week, flex-time. Please email topic of interest, resume, and time specifications to Stephen Mackey, President/CEO, smackey@somervillechamber.org.

No phone calls please. Thank you.