Blue Ridge Chapter Internships 
Below is a list of current interships available with various Blue Ridge Chatper member's organizations. Looking for an internship? Contacts for Blue Ridge Chapter PRSA members who indicated that they may be interested in offering internships to local public relations students are featured below the open positions.
Open Positions:
Media Relations / Public Communications Internship Opportunities
Advance Auto Parts
5008 Airport Road
Roanoke, VA 24012
Schedule: Flexible, 2 -3 days per week, depending on availability
Unpaid/for credit internships available in Spring, Summer and Fall.
General job responsibilities:
• Help plan and implement public communications, media relations and investor relations initiatives, programs and campaigns.
• Research, write and edit communication materials in various mediums (specifically press releases).
• Assist with writing and uploading of content for the Investor Relations Internet and Intranet websites and Press Section of Internet site.
• Proofreading (print and electronic).
• Assist Manager, Public Communication as needed on special projects.
• Track results of media coverage nationwide.
• Various administrative support and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
• Junior or Senior communications and public relations majors preferred.
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as have experience in the basic skills needed in the PR and communications fields.
• Strong grammatical and proofreading skills required.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Active members of Public Relations Student Society of America preferred
Apply:
Send a cover letter summarizing qualifications and availability, resume and writing samples to:
Shelly Whitaker, APR, Manager, Public Communications
shelly.whitaker@advance-auto.com
(540) 561-8452
Direct report to:
Shelly Whitaker, APR, Manager, Public Communications
shelly.whitaker@advance-auto.com
(540) 561-8452
Intern, Department of Development
North Cross School
SUPERVISION
Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Department of Development.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION
Assist Development Service Coordinator with maintaining Donor Management System. Duties include:
• Entering and coding new constituents into Raiser’s Edge – software for fundraising establishments.
• Completing address changes and researching internet and other sources for current addresses for lost alumni.
• Working in Excel to create and update worksheets.
Assist the Director of Alumni and Family Relations with the following tasks;
• Establish and maintain an archive room for the School
• Assisting in creating an archive preservation system which includes filing and protecting valuable documents.
Assist the Director of Marketing with the following tasks;
• Shoot, download, and manipulate digital photographs using Adobe Photoshop.
• Update North Cross School web site pages using Dream Weaver.
• Draft news releases, memos announcements, etc.
• Compile News Clips (an email listing of all local education-related stories that is published everyday, via email, to all senior staff and principals in Arlington).
• Design and edit publications using Microsoft Publisher 2003 or Adobe In Design.
• Assist with clerical tasks, including answering and making phone calls, filing paperwork, etc..
• Develop power point presentations as needed.
Assist with overall department tasks, including;
• Assemble information folders
• Gather data via internet and telephone.
• Preparing and executing large constituent mailings.
• Event preparation which includes creating nametags, RSVP calls, set-up etc.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Ability to quickly attain knowledge of the North Cross School structure, mission, and programs.
• Ability to operate personal computers with a variety of software applications.
• Ability to perform research and prepare publications and promotional literature.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to project and present and favorable and professional image.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Must be a North Cross school student or college student in good standing academically with a demonstrated interest in the Public Relations/Journalism/Marketing/Development field. No experience required.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
A valid driver’s license, proof of insurability, and a safe driving record.
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Work requires normal physical attributes required for walking, standing, sitting, operating office and communications equipment, lifting, moving, and carrying light equipment and supplies.
HAZARDS/UNUSUAL DEMANDS
Most of the time, work involves only exposure to normal, everyday risks.
Contact:
Laura L. Neff-Henderson
Director of Marketing
North Cross School
4254 Colonial Avenue
Roanoke, Va., 24018
540-989-6641, 259
lhenderson@northcross.org
Communications
Internship
Free Clinic of the New River Valley
Objectives:
- To provide on-the-job public relations, graphic design and writing experience for students who plan to enter the public relations/communications and marketing fields.
- To provide exposure for the student to the area of public health, non-profit communications, public relations and volunteer work.
- To supplement the communications staff while at the same time providing a learning experience.
Requirements:
- Student should be a junior or senior majoring in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or graphic design.
- Student should have a 3.00 grade point average in major field with a minimum of 2.7 overall GPA. Student’s advisor should verify this information.
- Student should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as have experience in the basic skills needed in the PR and communications fields.
- Student should exhibit independent thinking, initiative and ability to relate to a variety of people.
- Student should dress and be prepared to act appropriately in this professional atmosphere.
Duration:
The Free Clinic of the New River Valley internship shall be offered for a period of one semester. The daily/weekly hours are negotiable. A minimum of 15 hours is required per week. A written schedule will be coordinated between the student, advisor and communications staff.
Description of Duties:
- The intern shall assist the FCNRV staff with a variety of activities. Under the supervision of the Director of Community Resources, the student’s activities may include:
- Writing news releases and articles for publications including newsletters and brochures
- Designing ads, brochures or newsletters
- Helping with the revision of existing publications
- Assisting with special activities such as special events
- Coordinating and maintaining a clipping file
- Assisting with volunteer coordination
- Performing related duties as assigned.
Contact:
Michelle Brauns, APR
Director of Community Resources
215 Roanoke Street
Christiansburg, Virginia 24073
540-381-0820, ext. 104
mbrauns@nrvfreeclinic.org
Roanoke City Public Schools
Public Relations Intern
Qualifications: Student on an education track in public relations, communications, or English.
Description: The intern position will support the public relations department’s internal and external communication efforts. Duties may include writing news releases, monitoring media coverage, writing articles for the division website and the employee newsletter, crafting communication plans for department initiatives, writing and/or editing division publications and participation in the planning of special events and/or conferences.
Hours: Flexible, to meet education requirements. The office is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Compensation: This is an un‐paid internship.
Application: To apply, please fill out the online application form.
Contact Info:
Tiffany Woods, Public Relations Director
Roanoke City Public Schools
540-853-2905(ofc)
540-853-2817(fax)
tdwoods@rcps.info
Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce
Address 116 S. Poplar St., Suite 2 Vinton VA 24179
Telephone: 540-343-1364 Fax: call first
E-Mail: info@Vintonchamber.com Co.Website: www.vintonchamber.com
Judy Cunningham, Executive Director
Time(s) of Year Intern Desired: Fall 09, Winter 10, Spring 10, Summer 10, etc. On going. It could be a different student each semester.
Approximate number of hours per week: we are flexible; whatever the school requires
Unpaid. Will work with interns to receive academic credit.
List the tasks/projects in which the intern will be involved on a regular basis during the internship (attach other description if desired:
Checking our social media accounts daily and keeping up with postings; designing and writing promotional materials for chamber events; making contacts; help plan and coordinate chamber events, attending chamber meetings and events; attending town meetings and meeting our membership as well as town officials.
Qualifications: Business, Marketing/Communications, English major
Computer skills – Microsoft Office, Social media knowledge- Facebook, Twitter, Blogging, research skills – internet; good phone skills
Must wear business casual attire since interns will be attending Chamber meetings and events, town meetings and represent the chamber when in public.
Looking for an Intern:
The following Blue Ridge Chapter PRSA members indicated that they may be interested in offering internships to local public relations students:
Blue Ridge Community College
Contact Bridget Baylor, Public Relations Coordinator
Mary Baldwin College
Contact Crista R. Cabe, Associate Vice President, College Relations
Patrick Henry Community College
Contact Kristin Landrum, Public Relations Coordinator
Radford University
Contact Dr. Kristin Froemling, Assistant Professor, Department of Communication
Radford University
Contact Betty Kennan, School of Communication Director of PR, Comm, Media Internships
Roanoke College
Contact Toni McLawhorn, Director of Career Services
U.S.D.A. Forest Service, George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
Contact: JoBeth Brown, Public Affairs Officer
For specific fields of study:
English: Contact Martha Kuchar, Associate Professor
Business Administration and Economics: Contact Dr. Robert Stauffer, Associate Professor
Fine Arts: Contact Elizabeth Heil, Associate Professor Virginia Tech
Contact Dr. Bob Denton, Communication Studies
For the Virginia Tech internship packet: www.comm.vt.edu
If you are seeking an intern in a field other than communications:
Contact Donna Oderwald, Recruiting Services, Associate Career Services
Requests for interns may also be posted at:
www.career.vt.edu/EMPLOYER/posting.htm
Services for employers including salary surveys, on-campus interviewing, career fair information:
www.career.vt.edu
