Communications Student Intern; UW Colleges and UW-Extension

Employer: UW Colleges and UW-Extension, University Relations Department
Application Deadline: April 30, 2012
Pay: $10/hour
Job Type: Part-time Internship

This part-time position as part of the Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program works in the University Relations (communications) office for the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin-Extension based in Madison, WI. The UW Colleges and the UW-Extension are two statewide institutions led by a single chancellor, and the University Relations office supports the chancellor and both institutions.


Duties
1. Writing and editing
a. Write clearly and compellingly in a variety of ways: short articles, emails, social media postings, documents, etc.
b. Proofread and edit work of self and others
c. Conduct interviews in person and over the phone

2. Social media
a. Contribute to UW Colleges and UW-Extension social media accounts regularly and strategically in a manner that adheres to the brand guidelines and considers audience
b. Research social media best practices, and suggest changes as necessary
c. Suggest or investigate ways to increase followers/friends
d. Suggest ways to increase engagement

3. Create content
a. Suggest story ideas from a variety of work done by UW-Extension and UW Colleges
b. Shoot photos and video through simple department tools
c. Use Animoto to create short videos

4. Manage and organize Flickr account to improve access and search of photos.
5. Use Google Analytics or other tools to help evaluate effectiveness of communications.

6. Research and share information with staff about emerging technologies, software, and social media.

7. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
1. Applicants should be college or university students with junior, senior or graduate student standing for fall 2012.
2. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills. Ideally, applicant loves working with language and wants to use it effectively to communicate clearly and to share compelling stories.
3. Technical familiarity with social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Flickr.

4. Good organizational skills and excellent attention to detail.
5. Willingness to try new things and problem solve to resolve snags that arise.
6. Experience working in teams and working independently within deadlines.
7. Enthusiasm for social media, video, photography.
8. Aptitude to be trained in Animoto, Flickr, Google Analytics, etc.
9. Ability to be approved to drive state cars or have access to reliable transportation as some assignments will be outside Madison.

Hours
This is a 20-32 hour/week position during the summer with the possibility of going into the fall when hours can be reduced to meet student schedule. Summer intern will be expected to be in the office M-F and assignments may include independent work outside of Madison.
Pay
$10/hour
How to apply
Submit the following materials electronically to Teri Venker at teri.venker@uwex.uwc.edu by Monday, April 30, 2012:
a. Cover letter explaining why you are qualified for the position
b. Resume of educational and work history
c. Two writing samples (one each from any of the following). Each should be no more than one page.
i. one-page from a school paper
ii. blog posts
iii. series of social media postings
iv. article or column
v. press release
vi. video script
vii. other

Goals of position
The goals of the intern position are to:
a) assist the University Relations staff in reaching audiences in new and engaging ways, drawing upon the intern’s skills, knowledge and experience, and
b) provide the intern with the experience of working in a professional communications environment serving two complex institutions with statewide audiences. 3
UW Colleges is comprised of 13 freshman-sophomore campuses all over Wisconsin and UW Colleges Online that offer an associate degree in arts and science and prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for baccalaureate and professional programs.
The UW-Extension brings the benefits of the UW to everyone in the state through Cooperative Extension offices in 72 counties and three tribal nations, 12 Small Business Development Centers, Outreach and E-Learning programs delivered via the 26 UW System campuses and distance-learning channels, as well as through the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television.
The University Relations office is located at 432 N. Lake Street, just off State Street in Madison, WI.
Women, students of color, people with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

**Internship posting taken from Journalism School website