The Edison Festival of Light is a prestigious nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to celebrating innovation, tradition, and education in Southwest Florida. As the largest festival of its kind in the region, it orchestrates a wide array of events each February, spanning 22 distinct occasions and drawing an attendance of nearly half a million people. The festival's mission revolves around fostering community engagement and showcasing the spirit of invention that Thomas Edison himself exemplified. This expansive event not only boosts local tourism and economy but also strengthens collaborations across community entities while providing enriching educational programs.
The Edison Festival of Light is currently offering an unpaid internship opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students interested in gaining hands-on experience in a nonprofit event management setting. The Event Management Intern will work under the direct supervision of the Marketing & Event Coordinator, gaining exposure to the intricacies and demands of event planning, operations, and promotion within a large-scale festival environment. Although this internship is unpaid, it presents a valuable platform for students to develop practical skills, expand their professional network, and enhance their resumes in the rapidly evolving field of nonprofit event coordination.
The role involves assisting with special events organized by the Festival, helping to ensure seamless execution of the various activities and logistics involved. Interns are expected to contribute to the evaluation and improvement of event materials, develop operational checklists, update production schedules, and collaborate on writing event planning procedures. In addition, the position offers opportunities to research vendors, track equipment, and assist with data assessment pertaining to festival programming impact. Through active involvement in these tasks, interns enhance their organizational, communication, and strategic planning abilities.
The internship is conducted at the Festival's offices located in downtown Fort Myers. Candidates must be prepared to bring their own laptop or similar device equipped with the necessary software, as resources are limited due to budget constraints. This internship is available across fall, spring, and summer semesters, providing flexibility for students to fit the role into their academic schedules.
Beyond task-specific responsibilities, the internship aims to foster a comprehensive learning experience where students develop expertise in logistics, event budgeting, communications, and community development. Interns also gain exposure to professional organizational operations and decision-making processes, working closely with experienced mentors who offer guidance and constructive feedback. The opportunity expands the interns' professional network, while instilling a strong work ethic, professional demeanor, and commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility. Overall, the Edison Festival of Light’s Event Management Internship is an excellent stepping stone for students aspiring to careers in event management, nonprofit administration, or community engagement sectors.
Must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university
Strong language and communication skills
Exceptional organization skills
Ability to work with diverse backgrounds
Enthusiastic and positive attitude
Ability to work independently and in team settings
Demonstrated commitment to learning and improvement
Self-motivated, flexible, and quick learner
Detail-oriented with ability to meet deadlines
Ability to manage multiple tasks
Computer skills in Excel, Word, and data reporting
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