IAC Intern Program

Description:

As part of Auburn University’s ongoing efforts to take inventions created by researchers into the marketplace, the Office of Innovation Advancement & Commercialization (IAC) routinely hires students for Commercialization Project Internships. These positions assist in the assessment, marketing and licensing of Auburn technologies. Typical projects include:

• Technical assessment of inventions to determine commercial viability and patentability, including patent searches.
• Technology Marketing, e.g., preparing materials for technologies, identifying and contacting appropriate outside parties — typically by email.
• Market research and financial assessment to determine viability of certain technologies as candidates for start-up companies. Follow-on work could include business plan drafting or customer discovery.
• Media interns can also be brought on to work on promotional/educational materials (print and video; see above) and social media management.

Program Basics:

• Internships run year round, with the majority of hiring occurring in the spring for the summer internship program.
• Summer 2021 program runs May 17th through July 30th.  Applications now being accepted. 
  • Send cover letter and resume to Troy Brady.
• Minimum 20 hours/week during the summer, 10 hours/week during the fall and spring. More/fewer hours negotiable.
• Professional environment: Professional dress, communications, productivity expected.
• Rate of pay for Summer 2021: $13/hr for undergraduate students; $15/hr for graduate students.

Program Highlights:

• Interns have written patent applications, ordered prototypes, and executed road-shows.
• IAC Twitter account and Facebook/LinkedIn pages launched through intern program.
• Technologies marketed by interns have led to several option and license agreements.
• Many interns feel the program helped them land job interviews and gain valuable skills.

Intern Benefits:

• Work in a business environment with team-based projects, deadlines and deliverables.
• In-depth interaction with multiple business and academic disciplines.
• Hands-on experience with web, email and phone-based marketing efforts.
• Team-based projects from idea stage to licensing and/or business plan creation.
• Real-world experience for a resume with insight into potential cutting-edge industries.
• Developing a potential network across a range of business and governmental entities.
• Satisfaction of contributing towards public betterment and the university’s mission.
• Class credit available for marketing majors (see home department for details).

Qualifications (for marketing interns):

• Required: ability to multitask; excellent communication skills; experience with Microsoft Office suite and internet research; professional work habits.
• Preferred: technical, legal or business majors/degrees; experience in team or project management settings; experience with marketing, business plans or commercialization.
• Qualifications for media interns will vary.