State Intern

📍 Chicago, IL | On-Site
 🕒 Part-Time Internship

Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast are looking for a motivated, curious, and organized State Intern to join our Chicago office! In this role, you’ll support our State Members and Liaison team while gaining hands-on experience across a variety of areas, including international programs, operations, marketing and communications, research, customer service, data tracking, and project coordination. It’s a great opportunity to see how a mission-driven nonprofit operates while learning how Food Export works alongside its State Members, partners, and stakeholders to support small and medium-sized U.S. food and agricultural businesses. 

✨ What You’ll Get to Do

No two projects will necessarily look the same! Depending on current initiatives and organizational needs, you may:

• Support State Members and the Liaison team with projects, communications, coordination, and follow-up. 
• Assist with programs, events, outreach efforts, scheduling, and preparation of materials. 
• Support internationally focused activities involving global partners, stakeholders, and markets. 
• Draft and edit emails, reports, success stories, promotional content, and other professional communications. 
• Conduct research and help gather, organize, and analyze information. 
• Assist with marketing and communication efforts, including content creation, social media, and engagement tracking. 
• Maintain databases and help track participation, inquiries, evaluations, and program performance. 
• Use tools such as Microsoft Office, Teams, CRM/database systems, and other technology to help keep projects organized and moving forward. 
• Take on special projects that provide additional opportunities to learn, contribute, and build your professional experience. 

🎓 Who We’re Looking For

You don’t need to come in knowing everything — we’re looking for someone who is ready to learn, contribute, and grow. This internship is open to current undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree in business, marketing, communications, economics, operations, global studies, nonprofit management, international business/relations, or a related field. 

You may be a great fit if you:

• Communicate well and enjoy working with others. 
• Are organized, dependable, and attentive to detail. 
• Can manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Are comfortable learning new technology and systems. 
• Bring a positive, adaptable attitude and aren't afraid to ask questions. 
• Are interested in gaining exposure to international business, nonprofit operations, economic development, marketing, or related areas. 

Familiarity with Microsoft Office is helpful. Experience with CRM/database systems, Teams, Canva, social media, email marketing, or project management tools is a plus — but not required. 

🌱 What You’ll Gain

This is more than an opportunity to add a line to your résumé. You’ll have the chance to build professional skills, work on meaningful projects, collaborate with different teams, and gain exposure to the connection between state-level organizations, nonprofit programming, and international business.

You’ll develop experience in areas like professional communication, writing, research, project planning, task management, meeting coordination, and workplace technology — while contributing to work that supports U.S. food and agricultural businesses in global markets. 

If you’re looking for an internship where you can learn, contribute, explore different career interests, and gain experience you can actually take with you into your next opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Ready to grow your experience while helping U.S. businesses grow globally? Apply today!

Authorization to Work in the U.S.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States. At this time, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa, including H-1B visas.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Food Export-Northeast/Midwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and do not discriminate against applicants or employees based on citizenship, immigration status, national origin, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.