The V.I. Tourism Department wants applicants for its fall 2014 internship in New York City, the department announced Monday in a press release. Cosponsored with Tourism’s U.S.-based public relations agency, Development Counsellors International, the program provides one young Virgin Islander the opportunity to develop skills and obtain necessary experience to pursue a career in marketing communications.
The chosen intern will also play an important role in promoting the territory in an effort to increase visitor arrivals and expenditure.
"Since the summer of 2013, our New York City internship has provided four Virgin Islanders invaluable experience necessary to develop a strong foundation for a career in destination marketing and public relations," Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said. "We are eager to identify another talented candidate to join the program this fall and ask everyone to spread the word to encourage qualified individuals to apply."
Candidates must be from the Virgin Islands and be 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 fare 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 through December 2014 on a full-time scheduled – or if necessary, on a part-time basis to accommodate the candidate’s university class schedule.
Daily tasks will include, but will not be limited to, media pitching, assisting with event planning, drafting and editing client documents, liaising with the Department of Tourism’s on-island tourism partners, and conducting travel industry and/or consumer behavior research.
Interested candidates should e-mail their resume and cover letter by July 31 to Development Counsellors International’s Alexandra Lue at alexandra.lue@aboutdci.com.
For more information about the internship program, contact Luana A. Wheatley at lawheatley@usvitourism.vi.
