EDGE Fellow Summer Intern Position

Selected student interns are hired as independent consultants to help companies explore and validate new business opportunities.  This could be assessing new markets or acquisition targets as well as determining best opportunities to expand existing lines of business.  Students participate in orientation sessions at the end of May followed by a comprehensive two month internship, and they work in teams of two with guidance from assigned skilled business mentors and EDGE staff. Throughout the summer, seasoned practitioners provide introductions to feasibility analysis, due diligence, financial analysis, start-up entrepreneurship, and guidance for the project. Students meet regularly with their Host Company, industry experts, their peers and mentors and provide weekly progress reports. At the end of July, students make a final presentation of their recommendations and provide a complete report to senior leaders at the host company. All teams present their non-confidential findings at a public presentation before entrepreneurs, business leaders, community and university leaders and more.

The EDGE Fellows Program plans for its 18th summer as a highly successful, respected and effective program. As independent consultants, EDGE Fellows commit to a 40 hour work week, have some flexibility in managing their work time and place of work, and complete a comprehensive report and presentation to their host company – providing actionable and well-supported recommendations.

Essential Functions:

Conducting primary and secondary market research and/or data analysis on new business opportunities, which includes:
  • Determining market need through analysis of industry trends, market opportunities and competitor analysis;
  • Providing cost/benefit analyses of different approaches to new business opportunities;
  • Researching government policies and tax regulations that might affect the new business;
  • Determining break-even points, projected revenues and profit potential for new investment;
  • Presenting ongoing findings to peers and mentors, culminating in a final paper, recommendations and presentation at the end of the internship;
  • Working closely with other EDGE Fellows throughout the summer – seeking and providing peer feedback.

Requirements:

  • Prefer full-time, graduate-level student (from any academic discipline); will give consideration to undergraduate candidates that are rising seniors (as of 6/2024), have data analytics experience and/or have non-traditional backgrounds. Recommendations are required.
  • Need to be available for a minimum of 40 hours per week from the end of May – end of July and able to attend orientation classes at the end of May. Interns need to be available to meet with people during the week and should not have any regularly scheduled commitments between 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Mondays – Fridays.
  • Interns should schedule any regular outside commitments in the evenings or on weekends.
  • High interest in new business development, data analytics and Northeast Ohio.
  • Ability to perform diligent primary and secondary market research.
  • Ability to analyze data and create financial cost/benefit projections.
  • Ability to work with and command respect with different professionals (executives, industry professionals, etc.).
  • Prior business or entrepreneurial experience preferred, but not required.
  • While there is a fair amount of virtual and independent work, an EDGE Fellow should have access to reliable transportation throughout the summer for travel around Northeast Ohio for meetings with one’s host company and one’s team partner, interviewing industry professionals and attending Friday EDGE Fellow meetings, which generally take place at different companies throughout the area.

Special Skills and Abilities:

  • Self-motivated to work with new concepts and find answers – sometimes in creative manners.
  • Able to work independently and collaboratively a must.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (i.e. phone and writing skills and carrying self professionally).
  • Proficiency in conducting market analysis using primary data, customer surveys and industry journals.
  • Advanced decision making and problem solving abilities.
  • Excellent facilitation and presentation skills.

Schedule:

  • There will be orientation sessions in May 20 – 23, 2024.
  • The duration of the paid internship lasts from May 28 – July 26 and a Public Presentation event on July 30.
  • While there are weekly benchmarks to reach for individual projects, intern teams will be responsible for setting much of their own schedules.
  • Teams meet weekly with an EDGE staff liaison and business mentor, connect with industry leaders and their project host company, provide weekly progress goals and reports, and attend periodic sessions at participating schools, businesses and EDGE’s office.
  • The Public Presentation event is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 3:00 – 6:00.

Compensation:

  • Interns are hired as independent consultants and are paid $3,500 per month (or $7,000 over two months) with the expectation of 40 hours per week for the duration in June and July.
  • This includes attending orientation sessions in May, scheduled meetings in June and July, and the final public presentations at the end. Interns are paid at the end of each month and will track expenses for tax purposes.

Location:

  • There is generally no physical location for this position.  Teams will be encouraged to work from EDGE or their host companies more frequently at the beginning of the project as they more clearly define the scope and deliverables for their projects.
  • There will be arranged meetings at host companies, with industry experts and with team members and peers.  Teammates usually work in-person together 2-3 days of the week.
  • Typically all Fellows will meet on Friday afternoons at different business locations around the region to share successes and address challenges.

EDGE offices located at:

MAGNET
1800 E. 63rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44103