INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: The Idea Village is hiring undergraduate-level Summer Interns who will help The Idea Village team execute its programs and operations that support New Orleans's entrepreneurial community.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Intern, Idea Village Special Projects

The intern will assist the Special Projects Team in planning events, providing marketing support and coordinating The Idea Village's fall programming.

The selected individual will have tremendous exposure to all aspects of the city of New Orleans, including business development, marketing, urban planning, real estate, university relationships and entrepreneurial activity.

Intern, The Idea Village at North Galvez

The Idea Village at North Galvez is a business innovation center, designed to be a catalyst for a robust commercial corridor that will fuel private investment throughout the Upper Ninth Ward neighborhood. The project arose out of a collaboration with New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and Regions Bank to galvanize reinvestment in the community by fostering entrepreneurship and business development in parallel with the progress in the community's affordable housing development. The assistant will work with the new Manager of the center to implement its operations and programming.

Intern, 504ward

504ward is a collaboration of New Orleans business and civic organizations who are promoting New Orleans's "brain gain" through programs that engage and retain young talent. 504ward engages young professionals through events, networking opportunities and custom connections to local leaders. The initiative launched with a $100,000 business competition that was matched with $100,000 in resources from the community. The intern will assist 504ward in planning events, composing weekly correspondence with young professionals, co-ordinating 20 + partner organizations, and evaluating the needs of young professionals in New Orleans.

BENEFITS:
• Valuable professional experience
• Exposure to high-impact entrepreneurs, business development, marketing and economic development
• Participation in a fast-paced, exciting non-profit that is shaping the climate of innovation in New Orleans

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

The Idea Village Summer Intern must exhibit the following:
• Self-starter who makes opportunities happen
• Passion for creative and out-of-the box thinking
• Strong enthusiasm and desire to participate in the living history of New Orleans’ recovery
• Hardworking and dynamic personality
• Strong written communication skills
• Passion for entrepreneurial thinking and creativity is required.

EXPERIENCE:

Candidates for the summer internship must be currently enrolled in a college or university. Junior or senior standing preferred.

APPLY:

Interested candidates should e-mail cover letter and resume to gwyn@ideavillage.org on or before Monday, April 20th, 2009. In the cover letter, please specify the position that you are seeking. Following receipt of application, The Idea Village will conduct in-person or phone interviews.
The Idea Village is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

ABOUT THE IDEA VILLAGE:

"Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the only ones who ever do…." The Idea Village is an independent non-profit organization focused on incubating and retaining entrepreneurial talent in New Orleans. We seek sustainable economic growth of the New Orleans area via the dynamic innovation of entrepreneurs with high-impact business ideas. The Idea Village supports these ventures by offering expertise at identifying growth challenges, setting goals, providing business strategy, marketing support and financial direction. The scope of the Idea Village also extends to initiatives of talent retention within the New Orleans area and the innovative spaces program, which seeks to create collaborative spaces that inspire entrepreneurship. As of November 2008, The Idea Village has worked with over 240 local entrepreneurial ventures providing over 28,000 hours of business consulting and allocated over $1 million in grants. This year, The Idea Village is placing an emphasis on developing and sustaining a green industry sector within the New Orleans metro area. www.ideavillage.org.