General Description:
Student Programs is looking for an energetic, creative, and collaborative intern to assist with events and the Coastal Virginia Leadership Council around all initiatives and annual events that engage elementary to university students throughout Hampton Roads. We need someone who can help with planning preparation, set-up, breakdown, and follow-up for the regional middle school dodgeball tournament, regional high school Glo Dance and our 20th year of the Shamrock Operation Smile Final Mile. The planning of Spread the Love, which is an annual campaign built around an outpouring of love in schools, community, and our world, is also a regional initiative. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in community outreach, event planning, and public relations within a global nonprofit organization.
Intern Qualifications and Skills Required:
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Detail-oriented with strong organization skills
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Experience interfacing with elementary, middle, high school, university age students, as well as engaging with parents and educators at events.
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Comfortable with public speaking
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Create flyers and other promotional material necessary for successful marketing of events. This will be in collaboration at times with student leaders.
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Confidence to call and/or be in person with local businesses to secure sponsorships and/or in-kind donations for events.
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Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Experience Required:
- Attendance at an accredited university working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree
- Marketing and Communications classes are desired
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Canva, and social media platforms
Internship Takeaways:
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Non-profit/International NGO experience
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Event planning across various platforms
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Cross-communication skills
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Marketing skills
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Experience covering events
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Experience with donors, partners, and key regional constituents
Time Commitment:
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Ability to commit to a minimum of 15-20 hours per week (more if desired)
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Flexible work hours with availability Monday – Friday; typically, between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm, with occasional availability after hours, evenings and weekends. Hybrid work, @ HQ Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Monday, Friday work from home. Some flexibility provided.
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Start August 5, 2026 – end of April, 2027.
Skills Required
- Enrollment at an accredited university working toward undergraduate or graduate degree
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Canva, and social media platforms
- Detail-oriented with strong organization skills
- Experience interfacing with elementary through university students and engaging parents and educators at events
- Comfortable with public speaking
- Ability to create flyers and other promotional materials (collaboratively)
- Confidence to solicit sponsorships and in-kind donations from local businesses (calls/meetings)
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
- Marketing and Communications coursework (desired)
- Ability to commit to a minimum of 15-20 hours per week with flexible availability including occasional evenings and weekends; hybrid schedule with on-site HQ days
What We Do
Operation Smile is a global, volunteer-based nonprofit organization that provides life-saving surgery and cleft care to children worldwide. They offer comprehensive surgical and non-surgical interventions, focusing on global health equity and empowering communities.
