Public Outreach & Energy Intern

Communications Intern
Southwest Regional Development Commission

Are you interested in promoting rural Minnesota? Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) is looking for a creative and community-centered intern who is curious and enthusiastic about the public communications field and promoting rural Minnesota. SRDC is looking for a talented and self-motivated Communications Intern to join our team during the summer of 2023.

The goal of this internship is to help with organizational and project-based public relations and outreach strategies. As an intern, you will work closely with our Communications Specialist to implement SRDC’s overall communications plan and to assist with project-based marketing and outreach strategies, to build awareness about SRDC in the community, and to promote the region and regional opportunities. SRDC is dedicated to developing successful leaders, and we strive to make this internship a hands‑on learning experience to prepare the successful candidate for a career in communications.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about tourism opportunities in Southwest Minnesota, rural advocacy, parks and trails advocacy, and/or public communications. The right candidate will work with us for up to 20 hours per week during the summer on SRDC communication strategies, regional marketing and recruitment efforts, and community outreach efforts for regional trails. SRDC’s office is based in Slayton with potential for some hybrid hours as approved.

This work will include occasional day travel with SRDC staff to events and meetings in the nine‑county area.

• Create content for social media profiles
• Help develop strategies for capturing target audience engagement
• Event and meeting planning and assistance
• Campaign development and implementation
• Develop stories to spotlight regional successes
• Event and regional photography
• Assist with community outreach strategies, including surveying, interviewing, and events
• Other duties as assigned

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organization and multitasking skills
• Self‑motivated
• Ability to prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and anticipate next steps or needs
• Experience in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva or other design software
• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in a communications, marketing, or related field of study
• Up to 20 hours a week Monday‑Friday, 8am‑4:30pm, with occasional evening/weekend hours

For questions, contact SRDC’s Communications Specialist, Jessica Welu at  or jessicaw.

Are you interested in making a difference in rural Minnesota’s energy usage? Are you passionate about promoting clean energy solutions in rural Minnesota? Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic intern to assist in implementing community outreach. The goal of this internship is to help build awareness of clean energy resources to communities and target audiences in Southwest Minnesota.

As an intern, you will work closely with our Development/Energy Planner to develop and implement outreach strategies and assist with project‑based communication and outreach efforts. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about community initiatives to build energy efficiency and who is interested in making a difference in rural Minnesota. The right candidate will work with us for up to 20 hours per week during the summer on outreach strategies and success stories.

SRDC’s office is based in Slayton with potential for some hybrid hours as approved. This work will include occasional day travel with SRDC staff to events and meetings in the nine‑county area.

• Assist with the development and implementation of outreach strategies
• Development of outreach materials, including presentations and one‑pagers
• Event and meeting planning and assistance
• Develop stories to spotlight regional successes
• Other duties as assigned

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organization and multitasking skills
• Self‑motivated
• Ability to prioritize projects, meet deadlines, and anticipate next steps or needs
• Experience in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in a communications, public relations, environmental science, political science, agricultural business management, or energy related or related field of study
• Up to 20 hours a week Monday‑Friday, 8am‑4:30pm, with occasional evening/weekend hours

For questions, contact SRDC’s Development/Energy Planner, Jason Walker at  or jasonw.