Internships
Future Global Leaders is an internship program open to college students and recent college graduates. We offer international market research internships, which provide practical experience for interns and assist Maine businesses. These paid, part-time internships are located in our Portland office.
Are You a Future Global Leader?
As a MITC Intern…
You will be challenged with meaningful work and will be responsible for meeting deadlines, producing results, and contributing to MITC’s role to enhance global competitiveness and success for Maine businesses and organizations.
In addition to assigned projects and tasks, you will participate in weekly staff meetings to gain an understanding of real-world organizational dynamics and management functions.
To cap off your experience, you will have the opportunity to present your key accomplishments and learnings to the team, providing valuable feedback to continue improving the internship experience for future cohorts.
In recent years, MITC has hosted interns representing Bowdoin College, Colby College, Husson University, Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, University of Maine, University of Southern Maine, and University of New England.
“MITC’s Future Global Leader program has been a fantastic first step into my professional career. Each week brought something new to learn about whether it was helping the marketing team to trade database research to even visiting a local chocolate company. Through all of it, the staff were extremely supportive and trusting that the FGLs would get projects done independently, providing feedback when necessary. With the skills developed here at MITC, I feel confident and prepared to succeed in my future career.”
Brendan Mailloux, former MITC Research Assistant 2024, American University 
“Upon starting my internship, it was immediately apparent that I was in for an experience which would ease my worries about transitioning into the next phase of my life out of college. At MITC, I have been treated less like an intern, and more like a seasoned professional who’s individual strengths are acknowledged and emboldened by specialized tasks. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity, as now I am able to step into my professional career with confidence, having learned to be eager and earnest in my project work to produce products that are both accurate and well crafted.”
Adam Collins, former MITC Research Assistant 2024, University of Southern Maine 
“My time at MITC was a profound journey of professional learning and personal growth. As an international student in Maine, MITC provided me with an unparalleled platform for delving into the practical world of international trade. Engaging in market research, staff meetings, site visits, and so on, my experience at MITC has broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for the impact of local businesses on the international stage. Throughout my internship, I also had the privilege of getting to know an amazing group of MITC staff and peers. Learning from their professional paths and stories enriched my experience at MITC, and I really enjoyed every one of my conversations with them.”
Kasei Oma, former MITC Research Assistant 2024, Bowdoin College 
“My academic-year-long internship at the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) was transformative, bridging classroom learning with real-world application. Collaborating with staff and businesses, I built a network and honed skills in leadership and global trade. Initially uncertain of my fit in a trade-focused organization as a leadership studies graduate student, I discovered a breadth of opportunities through a wide variety of projects. Spearheading projects like rural outreach showcased my skills’ relevance. Through continuous immersion in MITC's culture across two semesters, I experienced an "aha" moment, realizing the myriad career paths available. This epiphany reshaped my post-graduate trajectory profoundly. Moving forward, I carry a renewed appreciation for Maine's uniqueness and am determined to contribute to its community, inspired by the enriching experience at MITC.”
Lauren Cornelio, former MITC Research Assistant 2023-2024, University of Southern Maine 
“Working at MITC has broadened my understanding of a diverse array of businesses in Maine and beyond. The chance to conduct research that shapes business strategies, coupled with networking opportunities with professionals from these companies during meetings and events, has been an insightful and inspiring experience. This exploration has been further facilitated by customizing the internship to align with my interests, particularly in food and international trade logistics. This flexibility is made possible by the approachability of the staff, as regular communication makes it effortless to seek feedback and request projects that align with your passions.”
Nate Folker, former MITC Research Assistant 2024, Bates College 
“My time at MITC has allowed me to gain real experience in a professional setting. This has allowed me to become familiar with scheduling meetings, meeting deadlines, and offering my own insights. This was also the first time that I got to work on practical research outside of an academic setting. Going forward, I am interested in learning more about economic development, as well as working with public agencies in order to support Maine’s economy. Economics is a generally abstract major, so MITC has given me concrete experiences where I can apply the principles that I’ve learned.”
Colin Tippett, former MITC Research Assistant 2024, University of Southern Maine 
“The work is rewarding, nuanced, and full of opportunities for personal interest and professional development. There are so many possibilities for independent learning and ownership over the role as an intern. All of this is made possible through the support offered by the amazing team at MITC. Not only are the people talented at what they do, they put unparalleled involvement and care into the intern program. MITC’s FGL program truly allows for interns to make the experience their own. I am leaving my internship more connected to the state (and my interests) and grateful for MITC’s guidance into the professional I am becoming.”
Eliza Bratone, former MITC Research Assistant 2023, Colby College 
“As I reflect on the internship, I've gained valuable insights into informing. Navigating different communication styles between academia and the professional world has sharpened my adaptability and versatility in conveying information. The constant need for progress updates and effective communication has refined my ability to convey information clearly and succinctly, a skill that will undoubtedly benefit me in future endeavors. This internship has been a journey of growth in informing, pushing me to be more proactive in keeping others informed and adaptable in tailoring communication to different settings. The experience with new software and the sharpening of analytical skills serve as valuable takeaways, equipping me for future challenges in the professional landscape.”
Ann Godwin, former MITC Research Assistant 2023, University of Maine School of Policy & International Affairs 
"Between my MITC colleagues and external professional contacts, I've established relationships with people across Maine that I will continue to develop going forward. I think the most impactful part of my time here at MITC has been the focus on experiential learning. I've been able to participate in several meetings that illustrated firsthand how business meetings are conducted and the importance of completing preliminary research in preparation. These components of my internship have been very beneficial and can not be taught exclusively in a classroom."
Christian Hartling, former MITC Research Assistant 2023, University of Maine 
“Having a healthy balance of team support and independence has allowed me to complete projects of my interest and dive into areas where I want to grow. My supervisor tailored my internship to include international business as well as an area where I wanted to excel - marketing. At MITC, my marketing mentor guided me through the process of conducting research for website content development, demonstrating how it takes a team to contribute their expertise to successfully gather the most relevant stories and data. In addition, I learned that diversifying content plays a significant part in how our audience and members feel represented and heard. I have discovered new interests - such as content marketing, member promotions, community engagement, and of course international business - that I want to expand on entering a new role post-graduation.”
Sophia Di Risi, former MITC Research Assistant 2023, University of Southern Maine 
“My experience at MITC has been fantastic. It has truly been a wonderful organization with a very friendly and welcoming team, astounding leaders, and a very cooperative environment overall. I have learned so much about the state of Maine's international business front, and the many industries that are crucial to Maine. Being a Future Global Leader has provided many opportunities to develop my professional abilities, such as project management and market research, and also recognizing important skills that will be conducive to any professional environment I find myself in. I am extremely grateful.”
Jose Mota, former MITC Research Assistant 2023, Bowdoin College 
“Being a Future Global Leader has been a unique experience. The work that you contribute directly impacts service that MITC provides to the business community and partners. One of the best surprises was the wide variety of companies that you have an opportunity to learn about and work with, which added up to a distinctive experience for each FGL that stands on its own compared to other internships opportunities. MITC provides a team culture that is supportive on all projects and celebrates one another’s success.”
Ryan Mustapha, former MITC Research Assistant 2023, University of Southern Maine 
“I would describe my internship experience as an amazing opportunity to grow and develop my knowledge of international trade. I was given the freedom to focus my energy on areas that I find most interesting so that I could learn more about what I want to do in the future. The MITC team was very supportive and encouraging; all the projects and events that I have completed or attended have been recognized and acknowledged. I was seen not as an intern but as a co-worker with knowledge to contribute in any conversation or topic.”
Keegan Stanton-Meas, former MITC Research Assistant 2022, University of New England 
“Working in a professional environment has taught me what efficient teamwork means. I have learned management skills and tips while working with my direct supervisor and other staff members. I can say this was one of the excellent parts of my experience in this organization. While employee engagement and retention are among the most significant challenges that many different organizations face today, I have learned how incorporating constant recognition in organizational behaviors creates a more positive workplace and inspires people to be more engaged and efficient.”
Mahnaz Vahdati, former MITC Research Assistant 2022, University of Maine School of Policy & International Affairs 
“The most important thing I learned about myself through my internship at MITC is that the title - Future Global Leader - is not just a fancy name for an intern, but rather a reminder of who I am. The experience of working with an incredible team in the international trade sector, honing my
professional and leadership skills, and refining my analytical and creative thinking has solidified my confidence in my ability to adapt and succeed regardless of what company or sector I
choose to work with in the future. It was the best decision I could have made for my professional development.”
Jaida Bolstridge, former MITC Research Assistant 2022, Husson University 
“MITC’s Future Global Leaders program was a crucial stepping stone in my personal career path. During my internship, I performed challenging, purposeful tasks while receiving meaningful support from my direct supervisors and other members of MITC’s team. The FGL program is not only a chance to connect with businesses across the globe but to work side by side with some of the most passionate, talented, and caring professionals Maine has to offer. Between assisting an endless variety of corporations, learning the ins and outs of economic trends, and expanding Maine’s international reach, MITC is an environment for interns to learn, experience, and develop both on a personal and professional level.”
Henry Dorsky, former MITC Research Assistant 2022, Loyola Marymount University 
"During my time at Maine International Trade Center (MITC), I not only gained a sense of who I am, but who I want to be. Through professional development that stemmed from a variety of research projects, card sorts, and shadowing business affairs, I was able to discover my strengths and weaknesses. The mentorship at the Trade Center showed me ways to maximize these strengths and improve my weaknesses. Additionally, I also learned that teamwork and collaboration are integral parts of innovation, leading to results. Working at MITC provides opportunities to learn from specialists in Maine’s leading industries, who taught me to always ask questions, and to meet Maine business owners and foreign entities. I highly recommend this internship to anyone considering it, as it prepared me for my future career and also helped me make lifelong connections while learning about the state of Maine and all it has to offer along the way."
Maeve Blodgett, former MITC Research Assistant 2022, Saint Joseph's College 
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Internship Benefits
Experiential Learning: participation in events, company outreach meetings and visits, and planning/strategy meetings with collaborators and partners
Real-World Applied Research: fielding technical assistance queries from MITC clients and members; determining product classifications, industry codes, tariff rates and taxes for imported and exported goods; researching “best markets” for products; identifying industry- and product-specific trade leads and trends
Program Development: assist with Future Global Leaders program recruitment through information sessions and career fairs; develop and/or refine guidelines or processes for special projects; and welcome the next cohort of incoming interns
Professional Development: focus on key competencies such as perspective and priority setting; conduct peer skill inventories and set personal goals; and present learnings and takeaways to MITC staff at the end of the semester
Compensation and Credit: Interns are compensated at the rate of $16 per hour. Current students typically receive academic credit for MITC internships.
Post-Internship Benefits
- Make networking connections around the world
- Join the Future Global Leaders group on LinkedIn
- Receive invitations to upcoming MITC events
- Submit your profile for “Where Are They Now?”
Eligibility
Candidates must be college juniors or seniors, recent graduates, or graduate students and will be selected from an applicant pool based on academic performance (GPA of 3.0 or higher required), demonstrated research and writing ability, and interest in the international trade arena. In addition, candidates must be currently living in Maine and legally eligible to work in Maine.
How to Apply
We look forward to reviewing your application, which should include:
- Cover letter explaining your background, reason for applying, and how an internship at MITC will further your future goals.
- Current resume.
- Copy of your grades (does not need to be an *official* transcript, an online printout will suffice).
- Writing sample (an essay or report that you have submitted for one of your courses).
- Send completed package to:
Maine International Trade Center
ATTN: Internships
2 Portland Fish Pier, Suite 204
Portland, ME 04101
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