About the U.S. Economic Development Administration
The mission of the Department of Commerce is to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity. As part of the President's economic team, the Secretary of Commerce serves as the voice of U.S. business within the Cabinet. The Strategic Plan is how the Department maintains its focus on achieving its Open for Business Agenda.
What does a Student Volunteer Do?
A Student Volunteer at EDA has the opportunity to supplement his/her education by gaining experience in public service. The Student Volunteer will work side-by-side with professionals in the areas of economics, data analytics, and/or business analysis.
What is the Economic Development Administration?
The U.S. Economic Development Administration's investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation builds upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration. Innovation is key to global competitiveness, new and better jobs, a resilient economy, and the attainment of national economic goals. Regional collaboration is essential for economic recovery because regions are the centers of competition in the new global economy and those that work together to leverage resources and use their strengths to overcome weaknesses will fare better than those that do not. EDA encourages its partners around the country to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions.
As the only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation. Through strategic investments that foster job creation and attract private investment, EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States.
Guided by the basic principle that communities must be empowered to develop and implement their own economic development and revitalization strategies, EDA works directly with local economic development officials to make grant investments that are well-defined, timely, and linked to a long-term, sustainable economic development strategy.
EDA’s flexible programs and structure enable nimble operations and allow for innovation and responsiveness to changing economic needs and conditions faced by its local and state government partners. Grants made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets to support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities.
EDA’s economic footprint is wide and its tool box is extensive—including technical assistance, post-disaster recovery assistance, trade adjustment support, strategic planning and research and evaluation capacity, thereby allowing the agency to offer the most effective investment to help communities succeed in the global economy.
Duties
As a Student Volunteer you will:
- Plan and complete work assignments on time
- Collect and analyze relevant information
- Prepare quality draft documents
- Communicate relevant and accurate information, clearly and concisely during formal or informal meetings
- Collaborate with others to accomplish goals
- Contribute to team efforts
- Use various enterprise tools and technology to prepare and share documents
Job Qualifications and Eligibility Requirements
You must meet the following eligibility and basic requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- You must be a United States Citizen and be at least 16 years old; AND
- Enrolled on at least a half-time basis as defined by your educational institution and be in good academic standing as defined by your educational institution; AND
- Submit proof of student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the student volunteer opportunity; AND
- Ability to use standard MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); AND
- Possess basic office etiquette and computer skills for answering phones, writing emails, corresponding with word processing, data analysis in spreadsheets, and creating presentations.
