Operations Intern

Operations Intern

Jump-start a career in foreign affairs, international relations and global business! Internships at the World Trade Center Institute offer unique hands-on experience and unparalleled networking opportunities. As an intern, you will gain insight into the world of non-profits and international business, learn from industry leaders, and get to know the local professional and business community. All interns are assigned real-life tasks and given professional titles and business cards to be used throughout the semester.

WTCI's interns attend all of our prestigious events and get a chance to practice valuable networking skills. Some of our best interns go on to full-time positions with many of our clients — some of Maryland's most prestigious institutions.

The Operations Intern is a cross-functional position supporting three pillars of the Operations team at WTCI:
Events & Series Management, Finance & Administration, and Membership & Business Development. Rather than working within one narrow function, you will see how a small international business nonprofit runs end to end: how signature events come together, how the organization tracks its members and finances, and how new business is researched and won.

This is a hands-on learning opportunity. You will gain experience with CRM and workflow technology, data analysis, financial recordkeeping, and professional networking, all with direct guidance and mentorship. Your manager will coordinate priorities across the three departments so that your workload stays balanced and manageable.

Events, Programs & Series

• Support event preparation, setup, and on-site logistics;
• Prepare event name badges and assist with participant and attendee materials;
• Communicate with potential participants and sponsors;
• Assist with participant retention and composition analysis for Signature Events and Series; and,
• Assist in planning company retreats and internal social activities.

Operations, Finance & Administration

• Assist with preparation of Board of Directors meeting materials and reports, including financials;
• Assist with payment processing and the payment management system, Airbase, and ensure transactions are recorded correctly;
• Accurately enter data related to transactions, invoices, and receipts in Quick Books Online;
• Assist with processing incoming invoices for payment and tracking client payments;
• Assist with organizing new member welcome materials and member renewal communications;
• Take meeting notes and provide general administrative support; and,
• Other miscellaneous duties as needed.

• Research and learn about Maryland's top international companies and industries;
• Perform business development research and other research projects as assigned;
• Research strategic alliances and potential new revenue sources for Signature Events and Series;
• Analyze membership information to identify trends and opportunities; and,
• Assist with creating reports using AI tools, explore new AI platforms, and help identify additional ways to integrate AI into WTCI workflows.

Database & Technology

• Gain hands-on experience with Salesforce and learn CRM best practices;
• Maintain and update client and member database records;
• Support membership tracking and prospect identification; and,
• Use work management platforms such as Asana to track tasks and deadlines across departments.

Membership, Networking & Communication

• Create member packets, upon request, for the CEO and Vice President of Membership & Business Development;
• Update Salesforce accounts monthly to reflect new member information submitted via the new member form;
• Learn about WTCI's mission and practice explaining our benefits to prospective members;
• Assist with outreach to potential new members;
• Attend WTCI networking and member events to build professional connections; and,
• Other miscellaneous duties related to WTCI networking events or the Signature Events and Series.

Event Attendance

• State of the Ports (December 10, 2026)
• Maryland International Business Leadership Awards (March 2027, date TBD)
• Women Spanning the Globe Leadership Conference (June 9, 2027)
• AGILE Global Innovation Series (dates TBD)
• Inside Series
• Supply Chain Network Group
• Taste of Business (dates TBD)

Some events will take place at off-site locations. It is expected that the Operations Intern will be able to independently travel to the locations using their own transportation, carpooling, or utilizing ride-share platforms.

You're a great fit if you:

• Are interested in working with emerging global executives and learning about Maryland's international business community;
• Communicate professionally, in writing and verbally, with a professional attitude;
• Have strong interpersonal skills and are comfortable interacting with members, sponsors, and executives;
• Are organized, detail-oriented, and able to balance multiple tasks and competing priorities across departments;
• Have strong analytical skills and enjoy working with data to find patterns and trends;
• Are…