Policy Intern

Company: Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce 211 Commerce Street, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37201

Internship description: As a policy intern, you will have the opportunity to experience how the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce works as a regional voice of business. The Chamber’s policy efforts focus on overarching areas which include business advocacy on federal, state and local levels and community development initiatives. This internship will allow you to gain experience around government and community issues while serving as an integral part of the policy team. Throughout your internship, you will work closely with Chamber staff in a variety of areas and will also interact with business and government leaders through meetings, briefings and events. Your experiences will be as varied as the Chamber policy issues – from state legislative issues to regional transportation options to affordability – and will reflect the changing policy world in which the Chamber operates. Other activities may include research and analysis of policy issues, event planning, helping monitor legislative action related to Chamber positions, and writing briefing papers, opinion pieces and blogs. Every attempt will be made to match the intern’s individual interest with the Chamber’s policy work. Interns will gain:

• Insights about policy and business advocacy on the local, regional, state and federal levels;
• Knowledge of specific policy issues (i.e. affordability, regional transportation, etc.) and government structures and processes;
• Experience working with Chamber volunteers; and
• Opportunities to meet business and government leaders.

Education/experience: Intern must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a bachelor’s or other advanced degree. No prior experience necessary. Work schedule: Flexible hours will be arranged with student’s schedule. These hours will fall within the Chamber’s regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, this internship works with special events, and approximately 1-2 per month may begin at 7 a.m. or end after business hours.

Salary/course credit: This internship pays $10 per hour, with the assumption of 30 hours per week for 15 weeks. Hours flexibility negotiable. Completing the internship does not guarantee employment upon completion. Parking expenses will be covered in full. Students completing this internship must have course credit approved by their school. If the student is completing this internship for approved course credit, the Chamber will work with the college or university to meet the necessary requirements. The student is responsible for coordinating all information for college credit. Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) is required
• Knowledge of Power Point
• Strong organizational skills
• Effective written communication skills

To apply for this internship: Please submit a resume, application and writing sample about a current policy issue via e-mail to vpayne@nashvillechamber.com. Please write the following in the subject line of your e-mail: “Policy Intern Application.”