The Company

Berkshire County Arc provides services for people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and other disabilities. Based in Pittsfield, MA, the Agency serves more than 1,000 individuals and employs more than 750 people. This provides a wide range of marketing and communications opportunities and challenges.  

The Opportunity

Working with the Director of Communications and Marketing, the intern would choose to work on any of the following projects that inspire them:

• Create a 3-minute video that captures the work that BCArc performs. Also produce 15-second and 30-second spots for social media and TV commercials. 
• Create stories and articles for the website that is read by thousands of people every month. Interview the people and families BCArc serves to produce honest, compelling stories. 
• Identify potential news stories, for BCArc’s newsletters, and for the local media.
• Help analyze the data of the website and work to make it reach more people through retargeting visitors, and buying search terms.
• Analyze the media to create an advertising strategy to recruit employees in Western Mass. 
• Advertise and promote BCArc through social media

The intern will receive an orientation to the structure and mission of Berkshire County Arc – Employment Services as well as an overview of Berkshire County Arc. 

The Internship will be full time for 10 weeks at $15.00 per hour. (20 hours in our marketing department & 20 hours in our Advocacy & Family Support Department- where applicants will get 1:1 interactions with the individuals we support). The hours allow for some flexibility in scheduling but would typically take place within the time from Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. The work period is from June to August.

Desired Qualifications

Any student interested in writing, graphic designing, producing video, or learning, is encouraged to apply. The intern is not expected to be fluent in all these areas, but interested in learning the craft of communications and/or marketing. A special interest in any one or two areas above would be expected. Must be able to commute to and from Pittsfield, MA, in Berkshire County.

Advocacy Department

The other 20 hours will be with The Advocacy Department. The intern will gain exposure to many aspects of working in the human services field, including theoretical and practical experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be some late night and weekend requirements for this position to meet the families we support needs. ALL APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A VALID Drivers License. 

Learning outcomes for Intern: 

1. Learn from the Communications team interview techniques to draw compelling stories, and leave with a portfolio of articles.  
2. Learn how to distribute information and stories in numerous ways – through social media, websites, newsletters, press releases and more. 
3. Understand how to use online data to create strategy, understand viewers, and improve websites.  
4. Learn to write concisely and consistently to hold the attention of readers who have no time to spare. Work under the Communications VP with decades of experience, and a former reporter. 
5. For designers, work with InDesign to gain experience making ads for newspapers, flyers, booklets and newsletters. Leave the internship with a design portfolio. 

Application Instructions

Candidates must submit a resume and a cover letter explaining their interest in the internship at Berkshire County Arc. Please address your cover letter to Berkshire County Arc.

Deadline: Resumes will not be accepted after March 22, 2024 and must be electronically submitted. Qualified students will be contacted by April via email regarding interviews.