The American Quarter Horse Association is offering two paid internships for the summer of 2013. The breed organization has been offering hands-on internships to college students since the mid-1990. For 2013, AQHA is offering an Online Communications and Publications Internship, and a Marketing and Publicity Internship in the Amarillo office.
According to AQHA’s Director of Online/Interactive Communications Jody Reynolds, the organization typically has 30-40 applicants for the summer internships and does not require AQHA membership to apply.
“Usually our best candidates are those who have a vast knowledge of AQHA and/or the horse industry,” says Reynolds. “Typically it is Communications, Ag Communications, and Journalism majors that apply. However, we will accept any college student with strong writing abilities and a good sense of the horse industry.”
The Online Communications and Publications Internship reports to Jody Reynolds and offers opportunities to contribute to the organization's print publications as well as to the management of AQHA’s online and digital content including enewsletters, web content and social media.
The Marketing and Publicity Internship actually gives an aspiring marketer the opportunity to write daily press releases and assist in implementing promotions, advertising and marketing programs for the American Quarter Horse Association. The intern reports to AQHA Director of Publicity and Special Events Landi Campbell and frequently travels to breed association events.
Both internships pay approximately $1,900 a month. “We do not pay for housing. However, if we ask the intern to travel with us to one of our major world shows, AQHA will pay for their lodging, mileage and meals,” adds Reynolds.
So what does AQHA expect from college interns? The organization looks for self-starters with a willingness to learn. College students should approach the internship as a learning experience and look for constructive criticism on ways to become a more valuable employee. According to the AQHA website, “A heavy workload is demanded of AQHA interns, so we expect a willing attitude and your best effort in all of your projects.”
Time is short to apply for these internships – Friday, March 15 is the deadline on both AQHA internships for the summer. Submit a resume, cover letter, personal essay of 1,000 words or less, and two to five writing samples. Once the deadline for summer internship applications has passed, the field will be narrowed to the top three to five applicants. At that point the organization will interview the potential interns by telephone and make a selection. Applicants can reapply for a fall or spring internship if they are not selected.
To apply for the AQHA Online Communications and Publications Internship contact Priscilla Ramirez at pramirez@aqha.org. The contact for the Marketing and Publications Internship is Lee Stribling. Lee can be contacted at lstribling@aqha.org.
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