U.S. Commercial Service Internship in London

About the Internship Program

The U.S. Commercial Service UK (CS UK) at the U.S. Embassy in London promotes exports of U.S. goods and/or services into the UK market and inward investment into the U.S. We provide a range of services and programs to help American companies export goods and services to the United Kingdom.

The U.S. Commercial Service is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Our office analyzes information on the UK market, facilitates contacts with UK businesses, promotes U.S. products in the UK and European marketplace, and advocates U.S. business interests. We assist trade missions to the UK and provide logistical support to U.S. companies holding product launches and exhibitions.

Intern Duties and Responsibilities

The intern’s work assignments will provide exposure to our full range of activities and services. Every attempt is made to give hands-on experience where appropriate. However, the immediate requirements of the mission program must take precedence over other considerations. All Interns are supervised by a Professional and benefit from gaining commercial awareness and experience of real-life working practices in specific industries. Support and guidance is provided throughout the course of the internship.

Intern assignments may include:

• Collecting and analyzing information for use in market research reports
• Responding to inquiries from companies
• Assisting our staff in the preparation of trade events and trade missions
• Assisting with our matchmaking services that help U.S. companies find partners and distributors in the UK
• Assisting with promoting and implementing the SelectUSA program, U.S. federal initiative to promote, facilitate, and encourage business investment in the United States.

While we prefer interns with International Business, Business Administration or Marketing majors, we will consider all appropriate subjects.

Please note that interns do not receive any compensation, and no housing or other financial assistance is available. This internship is a volunteer service.

Requirements for the Internship Program

In order to qualify for an internship, potential candidates should be:

• U.S. citizens or dual U.S.-UK nationals
• Are juniors, seniors, or postgraduate students during the semester of their internship
• Enrolled in an accredited American or British academic program and returning to studies immediately after the internship
• Able to intern a minimum of 20 hours per week
• Available to intern for a minimum of three months (maximum six months)
• Be able to work independently or in a group
• Hold strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Possess strong problem-solving, analytical, and customer-facing skills
• Good working knowledge of computer skills
• All acceptances are subject to a security clearance prior to beginning work at the Embassy, which generally takes up to 2 months to complete. Please ensure to allow a sufficient amount of time to process both your application and security clearance.

Selection is made without regard to considerations of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.

Payment and Benefits 

• Our internships are unpaid.
• The U.S. Commercial Service does not provide housing, commuting stipends or financial benefits of any kind.
• Selected interns must sign a Volunteer Agreement indicating their understanding that the Embassy cannot be responsible for workplace related injuries and/or medical costs. Interns are encouraged to have their own medical and liability insurance and can check with home universities about such options.
• Students should discuss receiving academic credit with their academic institution. Documentation of work or signing of forms can be provided.