The Ohio University Alumni Association's alumni societies intern primarily supports society volunteer management and programming. This support will be for up to 30 alumni societies whose leaders are scattered all over the country. Society programming and activities take place year round and will include Homecoming activities, society meetings, student engagement and recruitment events, alumni engagement, community service and philanthropic events, and more. Secondary responsibilities will be event planning and organization of society events and OUAA events and writing and editing for marketing outlets such as online calendars, web sites, and some print publications. Also, the intern in this position will work to help increase awareness of societies to current students and student organizations and will assist in creating and implementing a multicultural outreach action plan for connecting with multicultural students, alumni, and campus departments that offer services and activities for multicultural students. 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 alumni society intern will aid the OUAA staff in furthering the goals and objectives of Vision Ohio, University Advancement and the OUAA strategic plan by supporting the Assistant Director of Affinity Programs in effectively communicating with and programming for its diverse group of alumni and friends.
Duties will include:
- Creating appropriate content for web marketing of particular events for societies and OUAA events
- Creating content for society websites to ensure maximum marketing
- Assisting with researching, planning, and execution of special events
- Generating publicity and facilitating alumni communication
- Managing communication, external mailings, social media messaging, and compiling newsletter information
- Create an action plan to help increase awareness of societies to current students and student organizations (this also includes student organizations housed within academic departments)
- Assist in creating and implementing a multicultural outreach action plan for connecting with multicultural students, alumni, and campus departments
This position will be housed at Konneker Alumni Center in the office of the Assistant Director for Affinity Programs.
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 collaboratively to obtain experience in self-management, responsible decision-making, problem-solving, teamwork, task follow-through, relationship building and professional-level job expectations.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least junior-class standing in a communications, public relations, or consumer sciences major and a desire to pursue a career in marketing, public relations, communications, event planning, or alumni relations. A background in interpersonal communication is required. Experience in organizational development, and public relations are a plus, though not required. Excellent writing and editing skills and an awareness and some experience with creating online content through blogging and social media.
MENTORING & EVALUATION
The Alumni Societies 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 Alumni Societies intern will be provided with ongoing informal feedback and a formal performance evaluation twice within the nine-week assignment period. The first formal evaluation will be conducted upon completion of four-week's service and the final formal evaluation will be conducted as a form of "exit interview" upon completion of the ten-week assignment.