Bepko Scholars Program Intern

*Applicants must be a Bepko Scholar in good standing with the Honors College*

Who we are:

The vision of the IUI Honors College is to be a leading Honors College nationally known for its diverse, inclusive intellectual community, the success of its students, and the rigorous academic and civic-minded preparation of its graduates. The mission of the IUI Honors College is to support and challenge high ability students from diverse backgrounds and all academic disciplines through innovative curricular and co-curricular experiences. Dynamic faculty and dedicated staff prepare Honors scholars to communicate effectively, solve problems, and make a difference in their local and global communities.

As a part of the Honors College, the Bepko Scholars and Fellows Program attracts the best and brightest to IUI and supports them through their undergraduate and graduate educational endeavors. The Bepko Scholars are known for their leadership on campus and in the community, specifically through their volunteerism and service to others. Bepko Scholars are selected primarily for their demonstration of an outstanding commitment to service, in addition to academic excellence, integrity, and character.

Position Summary:

The Bepko Scholars Program Intern will work directly with the Bepko Scholars Advisor to develop and implement community building, volunteer, and educational programming for the Bepko Scholars on and off campus. The intern will manage the event planning process from start to finish, conceptualizing program ideas, planning budgets, securing event sites, liaising with campus and community partners, managing logistics, and presenting post-event reports.

This internship will offer experience in event planning and implementation, digital marketing/social media, and community engagement. Work may include development and maintenance of website and social media, outreach to campus and community partners (including alumni, non-profit organizations, volunteer sites, etc.), development of written communications and social media for Bepko Scholars, data collection, analysis, and application, assistance with the annual recognition ceremony, assistance with recruitment and orientation events, and community-building facilitation. All majors are invited to apply. Students looking for experience in event planning and management, communications, social media/web development, or higher education may have a particular interest in this internship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (percentage breakdown):

45% - Plan and implement events, including planning budgets, securing event sites, liaising with campus and community partners, and managing logistics

25% - Timely development of event marketing and registrations, Bepko program website, and social media content

15% - Manage and lead the Bepko Student Advisory Board, including monthly meeting scheduling and facilitation, brainstorming event ideas, and soliciting board feedback

5% - Assist in developing an annual event calendar for the fall and spring semester

5% - Special projects related to desired skill-building as identified by the intern

5% - Other duties as assigned

Tools and Equipment Used:

Telephone, computer (including Microsoft office suite and email), copy machine

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is required to walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work is performed primarily in an office setting during open office hours (Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm). The noise level in the work environment is moderate. Some work will require being outdoors for events or in louder environments. Some work will be performed in the evenings and on weekends. This position is not approved for remote work. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

What you will learn:

Communication:  

Student will gain skills in written and oral communication by corresponding various stakeholders including students and alumni, campus and community partners, university staff and faculty, student families/support people. Student may also gain experience in public speaking and presenting.

Values and ethics:

Student will have access to confidential information and will uphold confidentiality agreements in alignment with FERPA regulations.

Integration and Application of Knowledge: 

The ability to design, plan, organize, and implement events and tasks within a specific timeframe

Organizational Skills: 

The ability to manage multiple assignments and tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions and work assignments.

Critical Thinking: 

The ability to find solutions to problems and develop new ideas using creativity, reasoning, and past experiences along with available information and resources to create solutions.

Content Knowledge:

Student will gain a better understanding of the analysis, development, and implementation process in event planning and execution.

Collaboration:

The ability to relate to your co-workers, and inspire others to participate. The student will also learn how to collaborate with other departments across campus, and work with others in the community and/or on team projects.

Required Qualifications:

- Exceptional self-starter who can problem solve, advance projects, and contribute and implement new ideas through their own initiative without immediate oversight

- Strong oral and written communication skills (especially email)

- Strong attention to detail especially in written/print work

- Ability to communicate and act professionally at all times with various stakeholders including students and alumni, campus and community partners, university staff and faculty, and student families/support people.

- Serve as a positive representative of the Honors College and Bepko Scholars Program

- Creative, out-of-the-box thinking

- Willingness to learn and build new skills as needed

- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to plan ahead and manage multiple projects simultaneously

- Ability to work well independently with support from a direct supervisor as needed

- At least 10 hours per week available for office work (flexible when evening and weekend work hours required)

- GPA of 3.3 or higher

- Must be a Bepko Scholar in good standing with the Honors College

- Must be in at least second full-time semester at IUI to apply

- This position will have the option for the student to enroll in an Honors internship course (HON-H 398). This course counts as an Honors course toward their requirements.

Helpful Experience:

- Knowledge of Zoom video conferencing

- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel

- Prior event planning experience

-Experience with developing content on various social media platforms

• including but not limited to LinkedIn and Instagram

-Active participation in the Bepko Scholars Program and familiarity with its events

Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek out their career services for assistance with their application materials.