Economic & Community Development Intern (Northern NV Now, Pack Intern, Spring '27)
**This internship is hosted by Northern NV Now and sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio (NCS).
Students are highly encouraged to complete a 15 minute drop-in or schedule an in-person or virtual 30-minute appointment with a Career Mentor BEFORE submitting an application. Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS best practices will not be included in applicant packages to employers.
After the application period closes in Handshake, the NCS Internships Team reviews the applicants and sends eligible students' applicant packages to employers for them to reach out to conduct interviews and make the final intern selection. Employers will contact students directly if they are interested in moving forward with them as a candidate.
About Northern NV Now:
Northern NV Now drives economic growth by recruiting innovative companies, supporting entrepreneurs, and assisting existing businesses with their expansion efforts. Through strategic partnerships, we engage with local leaders to ensure a healthy business climate.
Internship Description:
Northern NV Now 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 Northern NV Now’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:
- Complete 150 hours of work as an intern (8-15 hours per week, 15 weeks total)
- Support the planning, coordination, and execution of Northern NV Now 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 Northern NV Now’s mission, business attraction successes, and regional initiatives.
- Support Northern NV Now’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 Northern NV Now 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 Spring '27 semester
- Student must be enrolled in a program of study (major, minor, or graduate program) in the following colleges:
- Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources (CABNR)
- Business
- Engineering
- Science
- Public Health/Orvis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas effectively.
- Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, experience with social media platforms, and experience with design software such as Canva or photoshop.
- A creative mindset with the ability to contribute innovative ideas to marketing and event initiatives.
- Willingness to work collaboratively in a team environment and support various projects as needed.
- Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, punctuality, and reliability.
- 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:
The intern will work 8-15 hours per week. Internship hours can take place Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM and Fridays from 8:30 AM to 12 PM in-person at the office and off-site based on the selected intern’s availability.
Monday - Thursday between the hours of 8:30am-5pm, and Friday 8:30am - 12pm – specific hours will be communicated by the Northern NV Now 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.
Both in-person and off-site work during Northern NV Now events will be required.
Pack STEM internships require interns to complete 150 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.