At The Garden — Internships

Employment at the Chicago Botanic Garden

TITLE: Student Media Relations Intern

Seeking senior-level media relations intern to work at the Chicago Botanic Garden -- the second-most visited botanic garden in the U.S. and the most beautiful place in the Chicago area.

Do you want to learn more about how media and public relations work in a nonprofit organization? Do you want to gain an understanding of how to target messages to local, regional, national, and international audiences? Do you enjoy horticulture, science, festivals, and art exhibits? Can you multi-task and work in a busy office environment with friendly, experienced people? Then this internship is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist Garden’s public relations team in various day-to-day and special functions, focusing on external and internal communications.
Monitor and track print, TV, radio, and electronic media coverage.
Assist in press release/media alert writing, distribution, and pitching.
Staff media segments and photo shoots.
Help maintain press contacts database.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Computer skills required in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Internet Explorer, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop.
Lots of energy.
Must be flexible, have good organizational skills, and must work well with people (including several different supervisors).
Must be articulate and have good writing skills.
Must have proficient knowledge of Associated Press (newspaper) style.
Must have a good understanding of current media trends.
Must be able to work efficiently and productively in an office environment.

HOURS: Three days per week (approximately 20 hours) at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Position is flexible. This internship is unpaid, though the experience gained is invaluable.

E-mail resume, cover letter, and three writing samples (if possible), to Gloria Ciaccio, public relations director, Chicago Botanic Garden. E-mail address is gciaccio@chicagobotanic.org No phone calls please. You can fax writing samples to (847) 835-0832.