The EDAA Ernie Cowart Summer Internship Program is seeking six motivated, detail-oriented individuals to work with one of the following economic development organizations across Alabama:

• Alabama Power Company – Birmingham, AL
• Department of Commerce – Montgomery, AL
• EDPA – Birmingham, AL
• PowerSouth Energy Cooperative – Montgomery, AL
• Southeast Gas – Montgomery, AL
• Spire Energy – Mobile, AL

AN EDAA INTERN’S SUMMER AT A GLANCE:

See five Alabama communities up close

• You’ll travel to five different Alabama communities to see how each one approaches economic development, from recruiting industry to planning for growth. You’ll learn that what works in one place can look very different in another.

Learn your foundation at Auburn University’s GEDI Intensive

• You’ll take the Auburn University Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI) Intensive course, which covers the fundamentals of economic development. It’s the same training many professionals in the field rely on.

Network at the EDAA Summer Conference

• You’ll attend EDAA’s Summer Conference at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, where you can meet 500  of the most influential leaders in Alabama’s economic development community. Few students get this kind of access this early in their careers.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is proactive and committed to working in a multi-disciplined field. She or he should possess the ability to balance various assignments and meet deadlines. Additional qualifications include:

• Excellent computer skills utilizing the MS Office Suite, especially in formatting, graphs, diagrams, and tables (GIS skills a plus)
• Independence tempered by the ability to follow directions and abide by a work plan
• Ability to interact professionally with staff, associates and prospects
• Extensive in-state travel required (Travel expenses will be covered by employer)
• Must be classified as a rising senior or above as of June 1, 2027

PAY: The internship is compensated. Pay is determined by employer. Interns will work 40 hours per week for 10 weeks.

TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted from November 15, 2026 – January 15, 2027. Please send your resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation to Sheri Fowler sheri@edaa.org.