Economic & Community Development Intern (EDAWN, Pack Intern, 2026)

**This internship is hosted by EDAWN and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio (NCS). 

Students are highly encouraged to visit the Nevada Career Studio during our drop-in hours or use our Virtual Resume & Cover Letter Review service BEFORE applying for these positions. Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS expectations will not be included in applicant packages to employers.   

Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada 

About EDAWN: 

The Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) supports, grows, and maintains a vibrant and sustainable economy in Northern Nevada. Based in Reno, EDAWN works to attract and expand companies from a wide range of industries, strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and support the success of existing businesses. We collaborate closely with community stakeholders, educational institutions, and regional partners to drive innovation, support technology and advanced manufacturing, and help build a strong and diverse economy for the future of our region.  

Internship Description: 

EDAWN is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Economic & Community Development Intern to join our dynamic team. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in economic development which includes marketing, event planning, business attraction, and business expansion, all while contributing to the growth and success of our region. The intern will support EDAWN’s entrepreneurial development, business attraction, and business retention efforts, including major events such as Reno Startup Week, the State of the Economy, and exclusive investor programs. Responsibilities include assisting with event logistics, marketing campaigns, research, and community outreach to help promote the region’s business climate, innovation, and quality of life. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• This is a yearlong internship, as such the intern will complete 120-150 hours of work (8-15 hours per week, 15 weeks total) in the spring and fall semesters, and 360 hours of work (30-40 hours per week, 12 weeks total) during the summer semester.   
• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of EDAWN events, including State of the Economy, Celebration of Business & Industry, and Reno Startup Week. Tasks may include venue research, vendor coordination, logistics planning, and onsite event assistance. 
• Assist in the development and distribution of marketing materials, such as brochures, presentations, and digital assets, that highlight EDAWN’s mission, business attraction successes, and regional initiatives. 
• Support EDAWN’s mission by helping compile company profiles, success stories, and industry research that promote the region to prospective and existing businesses. 
• Assist with social media management by drafting posts, scheduling content, and monitoring engagement across platforms. 
• Support all teams with email marketing efforts by gathering content, organizing contact lists, and reviewing campaign performance. 
• Track and organize marketing analytics to help measure campaign effectiveness and audience engagement, including post-event reports. 
• Provide organization-wide administrative and project support as needed. 

Goals and Expectations of the Intern: 

The end outcome of this internship is to gain a broad understanding of regional economic development and support the successful execution of key EDAWN initiatives, including Reno Startup Week and other major events. The intern will collaborate across the organization to implement strategies that promote regional growth, strengthen community engagement, and highlight Northern Nevada as a premier destination for business and innovation. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate OR graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno during the course of their internship. 
• Strong Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas effectively.  
• Organizational Skills: Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.  
• Tech-savvy: Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, experience with social media platforms, and experience with design software such as Canva or photoshop.  
• Creative: A creative mindset with the ability to contribute innovative ideas to marketing and event initiatives.  
• Team Player: Willingness to work collaboratively in a team environment and support various projects as needed.  
• Professionalism: Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, punctuality, and reliability.  
• Passion for Economic Development: An interest in economic development and its role in shaping communities and driving regional growth.  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Coursework related to Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Event Management, or a related field preferred.  
• Coursework or personal experience with entrepreneurship, community relations, or business development  

Desired Schedule for Intern:  

• Monday - Friday between the hours of 9am-5pm – specific hours will be communicated by the EDAWN team.  
• Please note that occasional after-hours work may be required to support special events and other activities that occur outside of the standard schedule. In such instances, the intern will be allowed to adjust their working hours accordingly during the same workweek to accommodate the additional time spent on after-hours events. Flex time can be arranged with the supervisor in advance to ensure that all responsibilities are met while maintaining a balance of total weekly hours. 
• Please note that applicants must be planning on spending the summer in Reno as many of our events and community engagements take place in person and require onsite support.   
• Both in-person and off-site work during EDAWN events will be required. 

Pack STEM internships require interns to complete 120-150 hours during spring/fall and 360 hours during summer semester. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.