Foreign Policy & Economic Statecraft Lead

FOREIGN POLICY/ECONOMIC STATECRAFT LEAD, FUTURE UNION & BASTILLE VENTURES.

SUMMARY: Bastille Ventures is looking for intellectually curious, driven students with a passion for marketing/branding/customer personas and social media. We are a new type of investment fund. And we intend to do things a bit differently than some of the others. We are seeking students who thrive within a group framework. Ideally, undergraduate students who are creative and passionate about the marketing/branding/advertising area and content creation.

Our goal is in line with a mission-oriented investing fund that is focused on improving the world in a multitude of ways. This should be both exciting as well as garner attention if we all launch it correctly. Thus, we put a premium on students who are strong writers/content creators and possess creative ideas that may stay within the lines of the box, or delve into more “mad scientist” guerilla marketing themes. We are seeking both people who are proper adherents to organization and structure as well as those who seek to defy stereotypes and push the boundaries in this cause-related investment fund. We are different, and we intend to push that thinking through the channels available to gain visibility and exposure. This means that not only will thoughtful ideas and risk-taking be encouraged, we WILL also seek them out. Think of this endeavor as a marketing company, an advertising company that pushes the boundaries of customer awareness but in the guise of an investment firm. You WILL play a significant role and make a difference. However, this is not to lose sight of the fact that even if you don’t see yourself as much as a rebel defying stereotypes without the attention-seeking, bomb-throwing persona, we need you equally as much as we need a balance of both for this to reach and realize its potential.

There may be an opportunity to stay on following the conclusion of the internship, but initial expectations are that this would be for the experience and to help build and enhance our knowledge base and make our work even more actionable. While not required, previous experience with geographic specialities, trade, finance, stats, international relations, or knowledge of geoeconomics, illicit finance, corruption, open data investigations, GIS, and international development is an added +. 

AND ONE OTHER THING:

Also, we place premium importance on diversity of all kinds, which is one of the elements at the forefront of our mission. Our goal is to prepare students to make a difference, and our milestones for measurement are how visible we make this. If you hold a passion for change that can power your future in innumerable ways, we ask that you consider devoting your time to help. We will utilize the knowledge, experience, and skills that have gotten you to this point of your life, and we will build on those - we will challenge you, personally and professionally - and we will only bring you onto our team if we are confident that you will gain more from the internship than you invest in it. We respect your commitment and time.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

What to expect from your time with Bastille Ventures:

• As a foreign policy/economic statecraft intern, you will play an integral role in helping to make us that much more knowledgable and, thus, more impactful.
• The tasks may range from research, writing, introductions and campaign development.
• This program treats the effort like a startup, we will move fast and encourage a level of independence (with oversight) that few other organizations outside of startups can match
• Gain valuable exposure to various front-facing initiatives and campaigns, putting the skills to work that you have honed throughout a lifetime of learning in arriving at this point in your career
• Network with business and investors, as well as ad and marketing agency executive, across industries and develop relationships with peers from other universities across the nation
• Given the early-stage of the investment fund and the audacious goals that we have, you will experience in a nearly unparalleled structure that encourages risk-taking and simultaneous individual growth
• Invitations to broader organizational calls that are beyond the marketing and business arenas - as we learn you learn - as the initiative evolves working next to a varied set of partners

Role:

Primary responsibilities:

• Seeking foreign policy, international relations, geoeconomics and economic statecraft interns to devote a minimum of 5 hours a week, up to a max of 25 hours
• Given the hands-on nature of the work and research, we expect there will be a fair amount of autonomy, with greater effectiveness and efficiency as you progress
• Research new processes and compile ideas for new content inspirations and positioning that will result in you becoming a thought leader through your work
• Lead team members in certain endeavors and play a team role in others.
• Tackle best practice issues and interface with other, more nuanced technical areas
• Develop detailed project scopes that account for operational impact

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate or graduate student focused on marketing (brand/digital et al), advertising, Communications, PR, Journalism, English or others with an interest/experience in content
• GPA of 3.0 and above preferred
• Strong research interest and prior work or internship experience in research-related fields is a plus
• Demonstrated problem solving experience with tangible results
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Self-starter able to work with oversight and training, but also learn from mistakes
• Ability to deliver effective and impactful results on time and within an agreed upon scope
• Able to work as dictated by the projects and deadlines, though recognizing other university demands and priorities
• Willing to work and think outside the box, sometimes with a high degree of structured oversight and other times with greater autonomy. Greater responsibility will be granted on an individual based upon demonstration of adequate judgment
• We currently offer internships on a rolling basis, however the standard is on a quarter or semester basis:

o  Summer: May - August (though off-cycle is possible)

o  Fall: September - December

o  Spring: January - May

o  Note: This is currently an unpaid internship, though school credit may be received based on specific requirements dictated directly by the program

IN CONCLUSION:

You will be a leader of the cause and integral to the fund! The foreign policy, international relations, and economic statecraft focus means that you are at the core of many of the issues and programs that we are furthering. Thus, we are leaning on students, both undergraduates and graduates, far more than in other areas and disciplines. This program is designed to position you on an early track to manage others, as well as push your limits, by offering responsibilities and the accompanying skills that few other initiatives can match beyond that of an early-stage startup. As individuals and teams, we embrace our entrepreneurial culture and have created a workplace that we think is distinctly different from a traditional workplace. This is a place where collaboration is essential, speed and courage are encouraged, and mistakes are expected. All these are undertaken with the end goal of delighting our community of passionate advocates at every step, every single day. Here, you will find virtually limitless opportunities to learn and take charge, only constrained by tenacity and your incoming skillset. At our core, we are teachers driven not only to invest but make the world better tomorrow than today, while create an enriching environment that fosters camaraderie and improve you.

TO APPLY:

Send us an email at interns@bastilleventures.com with a resume and information on why you are most interested in working with us. This position is filled on a rolling basis.