The Tourism Department is seeking applicants for its fall internship in New York City. Co-sponsored with Tourism’s U.S.-based public relations agency, Development Counsellors International, the program provides a young Virgin Islands resident with the opportunity to develop skills and obtain the experience necessary to pursue a career in marketing communications. The intern will also play an important role in promoting the territory in order to increase visitor arrivals and expenditures.
"As our inaugural New York City-based summer internship program comes to an end in late August, we thank St. Thomas native and Rider University public relations major, Diandra Capdeville, for her contributions as a summer intern," Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson Doty said in a press release issued Wednesday.
"We are eager to identify another ideal candidate to join the program this fall and ask everyone to spread the word about this outstanding opportunity and to encourage qualified individuals to apply for the position."
Candidates must be Virgin Islands residents who are recent graduates or in their final year of study at an accredited undergraduate or graduate university program with a major in marketing, mass communications, public relations and/or tourism studies. Desired applicant qualities include sound writing and verbal communication abilities, exceptional organization skills and an eye for detail.
A proven ability to adapt to new conditions, adhere to deadlines for assigned tasks and exude a positive, "go-getter" attitude will also ensure success in this role. It is recommended that applicants also be able to illustrate their deep knowledge of the territory’s unique culture and heritage.
The chosen candidate will receive round-trip air to New York City with a monthly stipend of up to $2,500 to cover housing, transportation and other living expenses. The fall intern will support the territory’s account team at DCI’s New York office from September to December 2013 on a full-time or, if necessary, part-time basis to accommodate the candidate’s university class schedule.
Daily tasks include media pitching, assisting with event planning, drafting and editing client documents, liaising with Tourism’s on-island tourism partners, conducting travel industry and consumer behavior research, and developing content for Tourism’s social media channels.
Interested candidates should e-mail their resume and cover letter by Aug. 2 to Malcolm Griffiths at DCI. His address is malcolm.griffiths@aboutdci.com.
For more information about the internship program, contact Tourism spokesman Allegra Kean-Moorehead at akmoorehead@usvitourism.vi.
