International Trade Assistant (internship)

About Us The U.S. Commercial Service is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration represented through a global network of trade specialists in 108 U.S. offices, and at more than 80 U.S. embassies and consulates around the world. We help U.S. companies get started in exporting, or increase sales and access to new global markets. We also promote the U.S. as the preferred destination for inbound foreign direct investment. What will this internship do for you? • Jumpstart your career • Practical experience in international commerce and global business • Exposure to real world foreign trade operations of academic concepts • Build skill sets with worldwide applications • Learn how to work in teams with staff and clients across the nation and in different countries • Make lasting contributions toward American economic development with our allies, and wrestle with thorny problems that have geopolitical implications. Our alumni intern network includes businesspeople, national security experts, graduate students, international lawyers, and even semi-professional athletes. It’s a big world, and the career pathways related to foreign trade and global business are countless. We provide strong recommendations to students who enthusiastically honor their commitments to the internship, and we pride ourselves on having fun along the way. Louisiana itself is rich with opportunities too, based on its diverse economy, strong entrepreneurship, and the ongoing scale of foreign direct investment. The benefits don’t only come after you graduate. Many schools provide credit hours for unpaid internships, and may even offer additional resources because you are interning for a government agency / non-profit. If your institution or your major requires community service, this internship will likely qualify for that too. We regularly support the administrative requirements for interns to take advantage of these programs at their schools. Our Mission We are passionate about the mission of the Commercial Service—to promote export of U.S. goods and services, and to represent U.S. business interests internationally. We are committed to: • Promote export of U.S. goods and services, strengthen the U.S. economy, and create jobs; • Protect and advocate for U.S. business interests abroad; • Assist U.S. firms in realizing their export potential by providing counseling, overseas market information, international contacts, and trade promotion vehicles; • Support export promotion efforts of other public and private organizations by partnering to create a full-service export development infrastructure. Parameters and Goals of our Internship Program We offer internship cohorts starting each fall, spring and summer semester. Our goal for internships is to train the next generation of American international businessmen and women to become our clients or our colleagues. The most successful candidates have been individuals who have the energy, enthusiasm, and desire to jumpstart their careers in international business and global affairs. New Orleans Internship Description Our interns have excellent opportunities to be involved in all aspects of international business and commerce. Interns have regularly assisted with responsibilities including: • Support engagement with foreign commercial opportunities • Coordinate trade missions overseas • Create marketing and promotional material • Perform market and statistical research • Organize and promote trade events and seminars • Attend trade shows, trade events and client meetings • Draft correspondence to clients • Manage client databases• Conduct client outreach The field office of the Commercial Service in Louisiana is strategically partnered with the Louisiana District Export Council. Interns typically work on a variety of projects that involve local partner organizations as well as our agency colleagues worldwide. Note: • The internship is unpaid, but typically qualifies for academic credit and/or mandatory community service hours from institutions that our interns attend. A small stipend is offered to each intern upon conclusion of internship to offset actual cost of transportation and supplies, if needed. • Our internships will continue to offer partial telework options. Our virtual internships since 2020 have been very successful. We work in-person, so we welcome interns based in / near New Orleans for in-person meetings and weekly office hours. HOW TO APPLY *** DO NOT APPLY ON LINKEDIN ***Please submit your resume, proof of current enrollment, and cover letter via email to hayden.heckenkemper@trade.gov. In your cover letter or resumé, please be sure to include: • current school enrollment • major area of study • expected graduation month/year • availability for Spring and/or Summer 2027 cohort • expected time commitment availability (days and hours per week) • areas of interest (why you want to work for us)REQUIREMENTS Basic QualificationsTo work as an intern at the U.S. Department of Commerce, you must: • Be a U.S. Citizen • Be able to pass a background investigation, including fingerprinting • Be enrolled (part- or full-time) in accredited, four-year or graduate program during internship • Have completed one semester in an accredited, four-year program prior to start date of internship • Be willing to volunteer for a period of 3 months on an unpaid basis at least 24 hours a week (3 days) during the summer, and 16 (2 days) for a period of 4-5 months during spring / fall semesters. The more hours you commit, the more you get out of the internship! • Be in good academic standing, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher• Have very strong communication and interpersonal skills • Be detail-oriented and able to work both independently and in a team • Be able to organize a variety of assignments simultaneously and meet tight deadlines • Have excellent reading and writing skills • Have your own computer or laptop with reliable internet connectivity, and your own smartphone. You will use these to securely access our cloud-based systems.• Have working knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience with Canva and grassroots organizational marketing is a plus. In addition: • Impactful international experience (study abroad, travel, work) is considered but not required. • Interest in Business, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, International Relations, Marketing, Foreign Language, Communications, Geography, World History. • Fluency in a foreign language would be a strong credential but is not required.Important Dates and Notes for Internship Applicants Spring / Summer 2027 Internships (recruitment for 1 position each semester) Complete applications received before November 6 will be considered for interviews to be scheduled later that month. Thereafter, applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Spring 2027 start date: Tuesday, January 5 (tentative) Summer 2027 start date: Monday, June 7 (tentative) • Increased security measures require that a background investigation be successfully completed before reporting for duty on the start date. This takes a lot of time, so prompt responsiveness to the background investigation process is expected and required in advance of start date. • The internship schedule is subject to adjustment based on what works best for the intern and department.