Campus LYH Internship
The City of Lynchburg is seeking a graduate-level intern to research, develop and present Campus LYH, an initiative to outline ways for the City to better engage and collaborate with local colleges and universities
As some of the largest employers in the City, these anchor institutions wield enormous influence on the City’s economic and community development, from employing residents to providing workforce pipelines to driving destination development. Anchors are most powerful when they work together to create systematic, widespread change. In recent years, a number of cities have formed anchor collaboratives that allow anchors to pool their resources and establish definitive goals for community development. It is up to the City of Lynchburg to engage these institutions in local workforce and development initiatives and to work with one another to foster collaboration between students and residents.
The intern will work out of the City’s Office of Economic Development & Tourism and report to the Director of Economic Development & Tourism.
Deliverables:
- Research and uncover best practices associated with an anchor institution assessment framework, specifically related to colleges and universities
- Gather best practices and models from colleges/universities and City anchor initiatives around the country
- Present data-driven recommendations to City leadership about successful anchor collaboratives and propose metrics to measure success
Skills for success:
- Conduct and synthesize research, including economic and demographic data
- Self-starter with the ability to work independently
- Effectively communicate information and ideas in written and verbal format;
- Well-organized
- Ability to prepare written and oral presentations
- Public speaking
- Judgment and tact in maintaining effective relationships with the public and various stakeholders
Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university, with course work in business, economics, public administration, journalism, communications or related field. Any combination of education and experience that qualifies an applicant may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.
To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume, and a link to an online portfolio of work (may include reports, presentations or writing samples). Materials should be sent via email to
Marjette Upshur at Marjette.upshur@lynchburgva.gov. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2022.
The internship is 10 +/- hours per week or equivalent intensive times over the course of an academic year. This is a paid position.
Resources:
Blueprint for Opportunity: Strategic Plan for Economic Development
June 2019 Anchor Presentation (video)