Public Service Fellows Program – SECU

Public Service Fellows Program Overview

The Public Service Fellows (PSF) Program began in 2014 with support from the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Foundation. Since its inception 138 undergraduate students have completed internships with 70 organizations located in 18 North Carolina counties. The goal of the program is to foster workplace experiences for undergraduates at ECU while helping rural communities build professional capacity to address public issues.

Up to 20 students will be chosen each year for SECU Public Fellow Internships (PFI). PFI participants will take part in 20 hours of leadership and professional development workshops in addition to the 330-hour PFI internship experience. Each student selected for the program receives a stipend of $4,645.

Students will be expected to attend an orientation, attend workshops scheduled throughout their internship and at the end of their internship, and present at a State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board meeting either in summer or fall.

Position Summary

The student intern will be working directly with the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce on several projects, including but not limited to; preparing materials to petition the Town Council to consider changing the occupancy tax, preparing, and planning for the NC Watermelon Festival, meeting with the Hertford County Economic Director to stay abreast of economic opportunities for Murfreesboro, appearing on local radio programs, and other marketing opportunities. The student intern will assist in the daily social media posts, respond to voice mail and email communication, and also assist with computer based marketing programs.

Internship Location & Supervisor Information

The Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce promotes the civic, commercial, agricultural, industrial and cultural interests of the Town of Murfreesboro and surrounding community, in order to bring a closer relationship among its members and to secure concerted action on their part in constant improvement of existing conditions.   

The Chamber of Commerce is located at 116 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, NC 27855.  The PFI will report directly to Daryl K. Williams, Executive Director Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce.

This will be a hybrid internship in which most of the work can be done remotely; however, there will be some times the intern will be required to go to the site for meetings.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Applicants should be comfortable interacting and communicating with various community stakeholders.  Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment, can multi-task, demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, maintain confidentiality, demonstrate time management skills, and work collaboratively in a diverse, team-based environment. 

Start & End Dates

May 13, 2022 through August 12, 2022

Majors Targeted

Business, Political Science, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Public/Business Administration, Hospitality Leadership

Application Process

Applicants must complete a PFI application and submit a resume to be considered. Applications are available at https://rede.ecu.edu/engagement/programs-and-initiatives/secu-pfi/.

All students selected for the PFI program must have undergraduate status and meet the following eligibility requirements by the internship start date:

  • North Carolina resident
  • 3.0 GPA or higher in major field of study
  • Completion of at least 60 semester credit hours

East Carolina University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and as such encourages applications from qualified women and minorities.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at 252.737.1016 (voice/TTY). Federal law requires proper documentation of identity and employability at the time of employment