Ten Thousand Villages of Austin (TTV) is a 501(c)(3) fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted works from across the globe. A founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Ten Thousand Villages sees fair trade as an alternative approach to conventional international trade. We seek to establish long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans are under- or unemployed, and in which they lack other opportunities for income.
Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries, we are part of a network of over 70 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products. As one of the world’s oldest and largest fair trade organizations, Ten Thousand Villages has spent more than 60 years cultivating trading relationships in which artisans receive a fair price for their work and consumers have access to distinctive handcrafted items.
Social Media Intern:
We are currently seeking an Intern who is passionate about Fair Trade, our mission, and is interested in helping our Austin store reach “the next level”! This position is perfect for any student looking to gain more hands-on experience in social media marketing or desiring insight into how a non-profit organization is managed!
Internship Responsibilities:
Social Media (50%)
- Work with the Marketing Committee and Volunteer Coordinator to manage TTV-Austin’s social media presence, using our Editorial Calendar and Hootsuite to post items about our store, Fair Trade, and events across our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter profiles
- Create social media reports and monitor activity and impact of posts
- Develop and implement creative techniques to increase reach and engagement and build community
- Create and implement innovative ways to utilize social media as a means to attract potential customers and volunteers, and as an educational tool to inform the public on Fair Trade
- Attend and cover local Fair Trade events using social media outlets
Customer Service (15%)
- Spend 1-2 hours a week on our sales floor, engaging customers and familiarizing yourself with TTV products
- Watch the “New Item Videos” every month
- Verbally market upcoming events and initiatives to customers
Marketing (35%)
- Create and post fliers about major events
- Create event pages on Facebook, Do512, and other online calendars; promote events through social media
- Research and write about artisan groups that TTV works with on social media outlets
- Assist with planning and promoting of Fair Trade events in Austin and surrounding communities
- Develop partnerships with other entities that enhance our sales, and review pop-up sale opportunities
Preferred Skills
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, electronic)
- Enjoys using Social Media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram experience essential; Pinterest desirable
- Marketing and/or Customer Service experience preferred
- Graphic Design experience a plus (not required)
- Able to take initiative and step outside comfort zone to learn
Internship Perks
- 20% off all purchases at Ten Thousand Villages of Austin (!)
- Positive, creative, and fun work environment at one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies (*Ethisphere Institute)
- Opportunities to network with like-minded community members
- Professional development through Ten Thousand Villages staff evaluations and relevant training sessions
How to apply
Interested applicants should submit brief letter of interest and resume to the Volunteer Coordinator, Alex Peters, at volunteers.austin@tenthousandvillages.com. Internship requires 15 hours per week based in our new location at 4803 Burnet Rd (some hours can be completed remotely) and will begin in September 2015.
Off-Site Sales & Events Intern:
We are currently looking for an Intern who is passionate about our mission, and interested in helping our store thrive in our new location on Burnet Road. This person will help manage our holiday off site sales and benefit nights, completing logistical tasks associated with these events; increasing their scope and seeking new opportunities.
Off-site sales are opportunities to sell artisan handcrafts outside of our normal retail space. They are often at festivals, markets, or churches and normally take place on the weekends. Benefit Nights are shopping events hosted by Ten Thousand Villages to raise funds for other local nonprofits. October, November and December are the busiest months for both Offsite Sales and Benefit Nights, with multiple events per week. These programs allow us to support our community while building awareness and promoting fair trade outside the store.
We need a well organized Intern to make this year’s holiday season a success. This position is perfect for any student desiring hands-on experience with sales, event planning, and nonprofit management!
Intern Responsibilities
- Manage our offsite and Benefit Night calendars, liaising with host organizations and managing the volunteer schedule
- Assist with pack up, tracking inventory, and tracking sales throughout the offsite sale season
- Style the collections of products to be taken to each offsite sale
- Plan visual merchandising and create signage for each offsite sale
- Setup and breakdown of offsite sales when applicable (this role can be delegated to other volunteers)
- Assist with in store setup for Benefit Nights when applicable
- Be an assertive advocate for Ten Thousand Villages and Fair Trade both in store and at off sites
- Assist with store and organizational tasks throughout the Holiday Season
- Work with the Social Media intern to promote offsite sales and Benefit Nights online
Preferred Skills
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, electronic) and a cooperative work style
- Highly organized and able to multitask and manage multiple projects along a timeline
- Customer Service experience and strong interpersonal skills
- Proficiency using Google Drive, Mail and Calendar apps, and able to learn new software quickly
- Assertive, proactive, and able to take initiative and step outside comfort zone to learn new skills
- Enjoys using and understands Social Media
- Passionate about fair trade and/or global social justice
Internship Perks
- 20% off all purchases at Ten Thousand Villages of Austin
- Positive, innovative, and fun work environment at an organization that has been named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies 7 years in a row by the Ethisphere Institute
- Opportunities to network with like-minded community members
- Professional development through Ten Thousand Villages staff evaluations and relevant training sessions
Interested applicants should submit brief letter of interest and resume to the Volunteer Coordinator, Alex Peters, at volunteers.austin@tenthousandvillages.com. Internship requires 15 hours per week based in our new location at 4803 Burnet Rd (some hours can be completed remotely) and will begin in September 2015.