The East Central Indiana Regional Planning District (ECIRPD) Internship Program provides college and graduate-level students with a hands-on, immersive experience in community and economic development, grant writing, public administration, marketing, and regional planning. Interns are fully integrated into ECIRPD’s ongoing work and contribute to meaningful projects that strengthen communities across East Central Indiana.
Through this program, interns gain experience in grant research and writing, community and business development initiatives, workshop and event planning, and stakeholder engagement. Interns also attend professional meetings with local officials, chambers of commerce, community foundations, nonprofit partners, and regional stakeholders. They receive mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to pursue individualized projects aligned with their academic goals and career interests.
This program is designed to develop emerging leaders who are passionate about community impact and public service. ECIRPD values collaboration, creativity, and leadership, and interns are treated as young professionals whose voices and ideas matter.
Ideal candidates are students studying Public Administration, Social Work, Urban or Regional Planning, Business, Marketing, Political Science, Economics, Education, Communication, or related fields. The internship program builds career-ready skills, fosters a strong professional network, and offers direct involvement in impactful, real-world initiatives such as grant-funded community projects, international business attraction, arts and culture development, regional events, and capacity-building efforts throughout Delaware, Jay, Blackford, and Grant Counties.