The Ohio University Alumni Association's special events intern primarily supports special event programming for Ohio University alumni. These include Homecoming, Alumni College, various on and off campus alumni reunions including Golden Weekend and Spring Alumni Weekend, and an annual leadership conference. This position also supports other outreach to Ohio University alumni through chapter, society and young alumni programming and networks. 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 that the special events assistant 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 directors and assistant directors of outreach and engagement 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 communication, external mailings, compiling newsletter information and generating publicity for chapter, society and young alumni special events. This position will be housed at Konneker Alumni Center in the office of the Director of Reunions, Special Programs & Alumni Education.
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, creatively and participatively 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 195,000-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.
MENTORING & EVALUATION
The special events intern will receive frequent, high-quality supervision and interaction with professional staff members to such an extent as to foster the acquisition of a general overview of and specific skills in a broad range of university careers, including jobs in alumni relations, university advancement and event planning. In turn, as a future alumnus, the student provides an invaluable link with and insight into the OUAA's primary constituency: its alumni.
The special events intern will be provided with ongoing informal feedback and a formal performance evaluation three times within the nine-month assignment period. The first formal evaluation will be conducted upon completion of three-week's service, the second after the completion of the subsequent four weeks of service, and the third and final formal evaluation will be conducted as a form of "exit interview" upon completion of the ten-week assignment.