INTERNSHIPS

AEDC has hosted interns from Lehigh Valley colleges and universities since its earliest days. Working closely with students, professors and administrators at high-quality institutions of higher learning has led to multiple benefits for all involved. Students get an opportunity to work in a fast-paced, professional environment with lots of exposure to all levels of government and tremendous opportunity learn the development industry first-hand. Colleges have a reliable source of challenging projects for future students and an increased likelihood of their graduates staying in the region, thereby strengthening their alumni network. Best of all, Allentown benefits from the sharpest minds in the region applying their skills and brainpower to the challenge of moving the city forward.

In recent years, AEDC has hosted interns from Columbia, Brown, Amherst, Macalester, Georgetown, Vassar, Muhlenberg College, Cedar Crest College and Kutztown University. Interns have worked on projects ranging from development of a unified vision statement for Allentown communities to a survey of conditions conducive to entrepreneurial development in the City to an analysis of upper floors residential development in Center City. Student interns have interacted with community groups, commercial property owners, local entrepreneurs, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the British and German Consulates, and many other stakeholders.

2010 Projects

The Pennsylvania School for Global Entrepeneurship at Lehigh University's Iacocca Institute sent a team of students to Allentown to research the market feasibility of collaborative workspace in the Lehigh Valley and to prepare best practices for the establishment of such a space.

Sarah Mac Dougall, a graduate of Central Catholic, researched manufacturers in Allentown's Enterprise Zone, providing AEDC with essential information required to assist companies in maximizing their growth potential. Sarah prepared a report on Allentown's Light Manufacturing economy and populated a Google map to aid in servicing these companies.

A team of Parkland grads surveyed Muhlenberg students to evaluate strategies for attracting college students to downtown Allentown. They summarized their findings in a report and presented to the city's economic development team.

For more information about internships at AEDC, contact Matthew Tuerk at ((610) 435-8890