Business Development, Events & Marketing InternAt — Orange County Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (OC NECA)

The Business Development, Events & Marketing Intern will support key initiatives related to industry engagement, political action committee (PAC) events, committee coordination, and marketing efforts. This role is ideal for a motivated and detail-oriented student interested in gaining real-world experience in event planning, communications, and business development strategy.
The intern will work directly with the Director of Business Development & Government Relations and play a meaningful role in supporting events, improving communication processes, and enhancing OC NECA’s visibility through marketing and social media.

Tasks:

The intern will be assigned a range of professional and pre-professional responsibilities that support OC NECA’s business development, event coordination, and marketing initiatives. The majority of duties involve communication, coordination, and strategic support functions aligned with real-world industry operations.

Event Planning & Execution (PAC & Industry Events):

Assist in planning and coordinating industry and PAC-related events, including timeline development and logistics tracking
Manage RSVP tracking, attendee communication, and event confirmations
Coordinate with vendors, venues, and internal stakeholders
Support on-site event execution, including setup, registration, and attendee engagement
Conduct post-event follow-up, including communication and data tracking

Committee Coordination & Stakeholder Communication:

Support scheduling and organization of committee meetings
Draft and distribute meeting agendas, reminders, and follow-up communications
Maintain accurate attendance records and contact databases
Assist in coordinating communication between contractors, committee members, and leadership

Marketing & Social Media:

Develop and schedule social media content to promote events and initiatives
Assist in drafting marketing materials, announcements, and newsletters
Support outreach campaigns to improve engagement with members and stakeholders
Analyze engagement metrics and suggest improvements to communication strategies

Business Development Support:

Track outreach efforts and maintain organized records of industry contacts
Assist in preparing materials and communications for relationship-building efforts
Conduct light research on industry trends, stakeholders, and opportunities to support strategic initiatives

Project & Administrative Coordination:

Manage multiple assignments with defined deadlines and deliverables
Maintain organized digital files and communication records
Take increasing ownership of assigned tasks and projects over time

Training:

The student will receive structured onboarding and ongoing mentorship to support the achievement of learning outcomes.

Initial Orientation:

Overview of OC NECA, its mission, and role within the electrical contracting industry.
Introduction to key initiatives including business development, PAC activities, events, and committee structure.
Review of expectations, communication standards, and professional workplace practices.
Training on tools and platforms used (Microsoft Office, email communication, contact tracking, and basic social media tools)

Ongoing Training & Mentorship:

Weekly one-on-one meetings with the supervisor to review progress, provide feedback, and align on priorities.
Task-specific training prior to assignments, including event coordination processes, communication standards, and marketing expectations.
Shadowing opportunities during meetings, events, and stakeholder interactions to observe professional practices in real time.
Exposure to real-world workflows, including planning timelines, outreach strategies, and follow-up processes.

Skill Development:

Guided practice in drafting professional communications and marketing content.
Training on event logistics, attendee coordination, and execution.
Opportunities to take increasing ownership of tasks as competency develops.

Continuous Feedback:

Ongoing feedback on performance, communication, and professionalism
End-of-term evaluation aligned with learning outcomes.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:

Plan and execute professional events by supporting logistics, coordinating attendees, and assisting with on-site event management for industry and PAC-related functions.
Develop and manage professional communications by drafting emails, preparing meeting materials, and supporting outreach to contractors, committee members, and stakeholders.
Apply marketing and social media strategies by creating and scheduling content that promotes events, initiatives, and organizational engagement.
Demonstrate organizational and project management skills by tracking multiple assignments, maintaining contact databases, and meeting deadlines in a professional environment.
Understand the role of business development and industry relations within a trade association by supporting initiatives that strengthen member engagement and external partnerships.