Internships
Special Olympics Minnesota provides opportunities to students and other individuals in the community to gain valuable, real-world experience and increase staff success in delivering a high-quality program to change the lives of Special Olympics Minnesota athletes.
Special Olympics Minnesota offers internships in all areas of the organization, generally coinciding with the fall, spring and summer academic semesters. Minimum hourly requirements and responsibilities at Special Olympics Minnesota events and/or competitions will vary with each internship. All internships are unpaid.
In addition to the internship opportunities specified below, candidates are welcome to propose internships of their own design for Special Olympics Minnesota's consideration. Questions regarding our internship program may be directed to Greg Vanselow, Director of Operations, at 612-604-1273 or greg.vanselow@somn.org.
Program
Initiatives Intern
Special Olympics Minnesota is seeking a motivated individual to fulfill a 2012 Initiatives Internship (Jan.-May, 15-20 hours/week). Candidates should posses excellent communication and organization skills. This internship is a volunteer unpaid position based in our Minnesota office located in downtown Minneapolis. The position will work closely with Special Olympics Minnesota staff in coordinating Initiative activities, including Healthy Athletes, Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) and Young Athletes Programs.
Initiatives interns will:
Assist with planning and implementation of Healthy Athletes, Young Athletes Programs and Athlete Leadership Programs
- Update Healthy Athletes evaluation statistics
- Recruit Healthy Athletes volunteers
- Inventory and order Healthy Athletes supplies
- Data entry into Games Management Software, GMS
- Develop and implement Health Fair programs
- Schedule Youth Activation Committee meetings
- Recruit athletes and volunteers for Young Athletes programs and events
Assist with planning and implementation of Healthy Athletes, Young Athletes Programs, Youth Activation Committee and Athlete Leadership Programs
- Healthy Athletes State Winter and Spring Games
- Healthy Athletes Area and Regional Competitions
- ALP's activities Governance (Feb. 17) and Athletes as Volunteers (March 27)
- Attend Youth Activation Committee meetings and events
- Assist with overseeing new Young Athletes programs throughout the state
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter no later than Jan. 11, 2012 to Michael Kane, michael.kane@somn.org.
Competition and Camp Intern
Special Olympics Minnesota is searching for a Spring/Summer Program Intern to help coordinate sporting competitions and events that will take place March through June of 2012 (start and end dates are negotiable). This intern will be responsible for working with a staff member on State Competitions, Regional Competitions, and Summer Sports Camp.
Requirements
Program internships are open to college sophomores, juniors and seniors majoring in appropriate fields. Candidates must be available to work a minimum of 10-15 hours a week. All Special Olympics Minnesota internships are unpaid.
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Elizabeth Reddall, Competition and Camp Manager, at elizabeth.reddall@somn.org.
Development
Special Events Internship
The Special Olympics Minnesota Development Department currently seeks a special events intern. Special events interns work with staff to coordinate logistics for many of the organization's fundraising and athletic events. Some work may occur outside normal business hours, depending upon special event schedules.
Requirements
Internships are open to enrolled college students majoring in appropriate fields. Candidates must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours per week and have access to a personal car for travel to events. All Special Olympics Minnesota internships are unpaid. Position is located in downtown Minneapolis and candidates should be prepared to take public transportation or pay for parking.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume and portfolio to Special Olympics Minnesota Development Director Kathy Karkula at kathy.karkula@somn.org.
Marketing and Communications
Website Internship
The Special Olympics Minnesota Marketing and Communications Department currently seeks a website intern. Website interns will work with website design, database management and coding both manually and through a content management system. Projects will be assigned based on the chosen applicant's skill level and interest.
Requirements
Basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP and SQL queries is required. Internships are open to college juniors and seniors majoring in appropriate fields. Candidates must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. All Special Olympics Minnesota internships are unpaid. Position is located in downtown Minneapolis and candidates should be prepared to take public transportation or pay for parking.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and portfolio to Special Olympics Minnesota Webmaster Ann Forstie at ann.forstie@somn.org. Please specify term for which you are applying.
Public Relations Internships
The Special Olympics Minnesota Marketing and Communications Department currently seeks public relations interns. PR interns gain experience in writing, distributing and following up on press releases as well as writing for Special Olympics Minnesota's newsletter and website. All Marketing and Communications interns work on special events and with the merchandise program and leave with a comprehensive portfolio.
Requirements
Internships are open to college juniors and seniors majoring in appropriate fields. Previous experience with Associated Press style is preferred. Candidates must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. All Special Olympics Minnesota internships are unpaid. Position is located in downtown Minneapolis and candidates should be prepared to take public transportation or pay for parking.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and writing samples to Special Olympics Minnesota Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bronwyn Schaefer-Pope at
bronwyn.pope@somn.org. Please specify term for which you are applying.
Graphic Design Internship
The Special Olympics Minnesota Marketing and Communications Department currently seeks graphic design interns for Spring 2012. Design interns gain experience both in creating original designs and in editing existing work. All Marketing and Communications interns work on special events and with the merchandise program and leave with a comprehensive portfolio.
Requirements
Internships are open to college juniors and seniors majoring in appropriate fields. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite is required. Candidates must be available to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. All Special Olympics Minnesota internships are unpaid. Position is located in downtown Minneapolis and candidates should be prepared to take public transportation or pay for parking.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and design samples to Special Olympics Minnesota Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bronwyn Schaefer-Pope at bronwyn.pope@somn.org. Please specify term for which you are applying.
