Small Business Development Intern

As a Small Business Development Intern, you will be matched with a small business to support various aspects of its growth and operations. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in market research, pricing strategy, business development, and digital marketing. You will play a critical role in helping the business improve its market presence and operational efficiency. Depending on the needs of the small business, an intern could have any of the following responsibilities.

Market Research & Analysis: Conduct thorough market research, including competitor analysis, customer behavior trends, and industry insights to support business strategy development.

Pricing Models: Assist in developing and refining pricing models by analyzing costs, customer preferences, and competitive pricing structures.

Marketing & Social Media Campaigns: Collaborate with the business to design and implement digital marketing and social media strategies. Monitor engagement, develop content, and optimize campaigns to drive customer acquisition and brand awareness.

Business Development: Support the business in identifying growth opportunities, exploring partnerships, and improving business operations to meet strategic goals.

Operational Support: Work with business owners and the SBDC to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and develop solutions for operational challenges.

Performance Reporting: Track and report the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and business development efforts through data-driven insights.

Qualifications:

• Strong interest in entrepreneurship, small business development, or consulting.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and digital marketing strategies.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with data analysis tools is a plus.
   

On-site Supervision and Support

Our internships include 24/7 on-site staff to support students working and living abroad. All students will also report to a supervisor at their internship site. Supervisors provide and oversee daily tasks, introduce the intern to team members, and mentor the intern in organizational agility, skill acquisition, and career readiness. Interns complete a midpoint and final evaluation, and supervisors complete a final evaluation of their interns. All work responsibilities and projects are approved in advance. 

Academic Credit

Students on an internship have the opportunity to enroll in their home university for credit, or enroll in a course through API to transfer back to their university for credit. Email support-internships@apiexperience.com for more information and a syllabus.
 

Housing and Excursions

Housing and excursions are included in your internship and will be selectable during the application process.