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REC Internship Opportunities
The Rural Export Center internship with the U.S. Commercial Service provides students with a professional research experience supporting rural U.S. businesses engaged in international trade. Interns contribute analytical work that informs export decisions and advances participation in global markets.

Apply to Join the Rural Export Center Internship

Rural Export Center Internship

Where Data Supports Real-World Decisions

The Rural Export Center (REC) internship provides students with the opportunity to apply research, analysis, and problem-solving skills to projects that support U.S. businesses exploring international markets. Interns contribute work that helps small and rural companies assess export opportunities, address challenges, and consider global expansion.

Interns serve as part of the REC mission to assist rural communities in participating more effectively in the global economy.

What You’ll Do

  • Conduct international market research
  • Deliver actionable insights for U.S. companies
  • Support U.S. Commercial Service export programs
  • Collaborate with domestic and overseas trade teams

Skills You’ll Build

  • Data and market analysis
  • Global trade research
  • Professional writing and communication
  • Client-focused problem solving
  • Turning complex information into clear insights

Where This Internship Can Lead

  • Research and policy roles in Washington, D.C.
  • Careers in international business and trade analysis
  • Graduate programs in international affairs and economics
  • U.S. Commercial Service positions in the U.S. and overseas

What Interns Say

It was the first time I saw how analytical work could directly support rural communities and have a tangible impact on a company’s ability to grow globally.

REC Internship Positions


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Interns assist research analysts in preparing written market research reports that support rural U.S. companies in evaluating potential international markets. Interns may also present key findings to company representatives and offer recommendations to inform their export considerations.

Who Should Apply

  • Students interested in global markets, market research, or rural economic development
  • Applicants with strong analytical and writing skills
  • Individuals proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Students from fields such as business, economics, international studies, agribusiness, finance, entrepreneurship, history, or related areas

Location: Option for in-person available in Fargo (ND) - Moorhead (MN) region; Fully Virtual internships also available
Schedule: 10-20 hours per week

Some students may be eligible for a tuition waiver and/or a stipend. Contact Heather Ranck at Heather.Ranck@trade.gov.

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Interns support research analysts in developing research proposals for market research reports that address client needs, using the REC’s Indicator Database, subscription resources, and publicly available data. To gain an understanding of client products and research objectives, interns may participate in introductory calls, review briefing materials, and receive guidance from the lead proposal researcher.

Interns also assist in maintaining and enhancing the REC’s database of previously used data points and may have additional opportunities to contribute to other projects during the internship, as assigned.

Who Should Apply

  • Students interested in global markets, market research, or rural economic development
  • Applicants with strong analytical and writing skills
  • Individuals proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Students from fields such as business, communications, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, history, international business, or related areas

Duration: August – May
Location: Fully Virtual
Schedule: 10 hours per week

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The Rural Export Center is actively working to enhance its internal processes. Many data entry and data-cleaning tasks are still completed manually, creating opportunities for increased efficiency and automation. This project involves developing custom Excel macros to support researchers in streamlining their workflow. Additional assignments may be available based on the intern’s skills and areas of interest.

Who Should Apply

Basic Requirements

  • Ability to problem-solve with limited technical direction
  • Experience with Microsoft Excel
  • Experience with at least one object-oriented programming language

Preferred Requirements

  • Experience with Visual Basic
  • Experience writing custom Excel macros
  • Experience automating data entry in Excel
  • Upper-level undergraduate or graduate student with relevant work or project experience

Duration: August – May
Location: Fully Virtual
Schedule: 10 hours per week

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Interns

Start Your Application

To apply, send the following to Heather Ranck (Heather.Ranck@trade.gov):

  1. Resume
  2. Statement of interest (150 words max)
  3. Writing sample (1–2 pages) demonstrating clear analytical thinking; excerpts are acceptable
  4. Class schedule (if available)
  5. Study abroad plans (if applicable), including location for security review
Submit Application

Learn About Our Work

Learn more about the Rural Export Center’s work and read insights from previous interns about their experiences.
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About the REC
The Rural Export Center supports rural U.S. companies by providing customized market research, partner due diligence, website globalization reviews, and export education. These services help businesses identify opportunities, assess risks, and expand confidently into international markets, complementing the U.S. Commercial Service’s global network.
Learn About the REC
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Insights from Former REC Interns
Former REC interns have pursued diverse careers, and many credit the internship with shaping their goals and building transferable skills for future roles.
Explore Intern Outcomes
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North Dakota Intern Spotlight
U.S. Commercial Service–North Dakota were the first interns who delivered market research reports to U.S. companies.
Explore Intern Experiences

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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