US Embassy offers internship programme

The US Embassy is inviting university students to apply for its Foreign National Student Intern Programme.

In a press release, the embassy said the voluntary programme is designed to introduce university students (non-US citizens) in Guyana to the work of the mission in the Public Affairs Section of the embassy while providing short-term educational experience.

The Public Affairs Section of the Embassy is responsible for the entire range of public diplomacy activities and programmes of the mission, the release added.

The duties of the intern selected will include maintaining the official website with updated information on embassy activities; posting multimedia and text to the various social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and others); taking photographic and video footage at embassy events; editing graphics and video products; creative design of embassy programmes, flyers and brochures as needed; setting up web chats, digital video conferences and Skype video sessions.

Current or new students enrolled for the 2012/2013 academic year at the University of Guyana, the University of the West Indies or any other accredited college or university are welcome to apply for this programme. Students must be 18 years or older at the time that they would start the programme.

It will be held for about 10 weeks for a minimum of 10 hours per week to a maximum of 30 hours per week on a flexible time schedule as agreed upon with the supervisor. Hours would generally be allocated between 7.30 am to 4 pm weekdays.

According to the release, the students accepted for the internship will not receive any remuneration or payment for their participation nor would the student be considered a US government employee or an employee of the embassy. In addition, being accepted to the programme and completing it does not guarantee future employment with the embassy.

Applications for this programme are competitive. Preference will be given to students who possess experience in social media, multimedia (image editing/video editing) and traditional media (photography and video) skills.

Interested students should request an application via email to HROGeorgetownH @ state.gov

Applicants must submit the following along with their applications: a cover letter that includes contact information; the completed application form; a one-page statement of interest discussing what the student hopes to achieve in completing the programme and how his or her academic courses and other experiences relate to the internship programme. New students must submit CXC or O-level results and proof of admission to a university. Current students must submit an official university transcript as part of the application package.

A skill test and oral interview will be required for further consideration. The student selected for the internship must receive a security certification and medical certification.

If selected, the student must have his/her own private medical insurance.

Applications must be addressed to Human Resources Office (Foreign National Student Intern Program) American Embassy, Georgetown. The closing date for applications is November 23.