Foreign Government Procurement Advocacy Intern

U.S. Department of Commerce

Spring 2025 - Foreign Government Procurement Advocacy Unpaid

Internship (Part-Time Remote or In-Person) Opportunity

Announcement Open Date: 11/4/2024

Announcement Closing Date: 11/18/2024 at 11:59 PM (EST)

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in international business or foreign affairs? The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Advocacy Center wants you!

The DOC Advocacy Center (AC) is offering remote and in-person internships for the Spring 2025 semester, where interns will work from wherever they are located on their own personal computers. (Washington, DC-based interns would also have the option to work at least partially onsite from DOC Headquarters, based on agreement with your supervisor) 

Students may do the internship for class credit if allowed by your school.

About Us:

Based in Washington, D.C., the Advocacy Center is a unit of the Global Markets/Commercial Service (GM/CS) bureau of the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Advocacy Center coordinates U.S. Government advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters bidding on foreign public-sector contracts. We work closely with Commercial Service Offices within U.S. embassies and other diplomatic missions overseas.

The Advocacy Center helps to ensure that U.S. exports have the best possible chance competing abroad. Advocacy assistance is wide and varied but often involves companies that want the U.S. Government to communicate a message to foreign governments on behalf of their commercial interest in a competitive bid contest.

Intern Responsibilities:

* The primary duty will be to conduct background research on U.S. companies applying for advocacy

* Enter and track cases in the Advocacy Center’s database

* Take part in conference calls and online meetings with representatives from other government agencies and U.S. companies

* Create and analyze reports on the Advocacy Center’s activities across the world

* Develop strategies to help U.S. companies win foreign public-sector contracts

Our interns gain a broad view of how the U.S. Government interacts with players in international trade, from domestic U.S. agencies to foreign governments. Since our interns often join us on calls and videoconferences with representatives from both U.S. businesses and government agencies, they gain valuable insight into issues faced by major companies when competing for foreign government contracts.  Previous AC/MDB interns have gone on to careers in the highest echelons of government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

Dates of Internship:

For start and end dates, see Handshake ad.  *Start and end dates are flexible.

Internship Requirements:

*Intern must be an enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate school)

*Student must be a rising junior or above

*3.25 minimum GPA

*U.S. citizenship

*Internship hours and dates are flexible, but students must be able to work at least 24 hours (3 full days) per week, with accommodation made for class schedule.

*Interns who will be virtual will need to have a workspace, a personal computer with internet access, and a personal phone.

What We Look For:

The Advocacy Center’s scope tends to fit well with students interested in subjects such as international affairs, trade, federal government, economics, business, defense studies, law, history, and other political and social sciences. 

Much of the intern’s duties will focus on performing due diligence on companies, so attention to detail and research skills are helpful. Those with strong writing skills are highly encouraged.

Overall, strong communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude are essential!

How to Apply - Geographic or Industry Area of Interest:

Although based in Washington, DC, the Advocacy Center's scope of work is spread over different geographic regions: Europe/Western Hemisphere; Middle East/Africa; Indo-Pacific

(*Note: We encourage the prospective intern to apply for only one of the geographic/industry areas at a time*)

***Based on your geographic area of interest, please send your resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts (Pdf preferred) DIRECTLY to one of the contacts listed below***

Email Subject Line: “Advocacy Center Spring 2025 Internship Application”

Middle East/Africa: Amy Tabine at amy.tabine@trade.gov 

Indo-Pacific: Michael Godley at michael.godley@trade.gov

Europe/Central Asia/Western Hemisphere: Jason Capehart at jason.capehart@trade.gov

To find out more about the Advocacy Center, visit our website at https://www.trade.gov/advocacy

Applications will be reviewed as they are received so submission before the announcement closing date is highly encouraged. Thank you for your interest!

If selected for an internship: Applicants may wish to ask their school’s career center about financial aid or other funding options for public service or other unpaid internships and to research possible sources outside school. OCM is open to accommodating students seeking academic credit if the internship meets their school’s requirements. ITA interns may join U.S. Department of Commerce Employee Resource Groups.

The U.S. Department of Commerce provides fair access, opportunities, and advancement for all, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or work arrangement.