Marketing Intern (IVCC students)

YMCA of Ottawa Illinois is seeking a Marketing Intern to support marketing and communications initiatives. The intern will gain hands-on experience in digital marketing, content creation, and community outreach while collaborating with staff to enhance the YMCA's mission and community impact.

What you'll do:

• Support the mission, vision, and goals of the YMCA and model the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility
• Create, edit, and organize engaging content for social media, the YMCA website, email newsletters, print publications, press releases, radio, and internal communications in accordance with YMCA brand standards
• Design or update flyers, posters, brochures, digital graphics, signage, and other promotional materials using approved templates and design tools
• Assist with social media content calendars; draft and schedule posts; monitor trends and engagement; and route questions or comments to the appropriate staff member
• Capture and edit photographs and short-form video that highlight YMCA programs, members, volunteers, staff, events, and community impact; follow all photo/video release and child-protection requirements
• Interview staff, members, volunteers, and community partners and develop stories that communicate the YMCA's mission and demonstrate impact
• Assist in developing and carrying out marketing plans and campaigns for membership, seasonal programs, special events, fundraising, and other organizational priorities
• Coordinate project timelines, advertising deadlines, approvals, printing, and distribution so promotional materials are accurate and released on schedule
• Support special events, community-engagement projects, and outreach to local organizations, schools, businesses, and media outlets
• Develop a working knowledge of YMCA programs and services and collaborate with department leaders to ensure communications are accurate, timely, and audience appropriate
• Track basic marketing measures such as reach, engagement, clicks, email performance, website activity, inquiries, and registrations; help summarize results and identify useful trends
• Research audiences, communication channels, community needs, and emerging marketing practices to recommend creative ways to reach current and prospective members

What they're looking for:

• Minimum age of 18
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including attention to grammar, accuracy, tone, and storytelling
• Basic knowledge of major social media platforms and digital-marketing practices
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable design tools; experience with email-marketing or website-content platforms is a plus
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and comfort learning online tools and resources
• Ability to review basic campaign data, identify trends, and communicate findings clearly
• Creative, organized, detail-oriented, dependable, and able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently with appropriate direction and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, vendors, and community partners
• Professional judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality and follow approval processes
• Commitment to inclusion, community service, and the YMCA's mission and core values
• Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and any other screening required by YMCA policy
• Completion of required YMCA orientation, child-abuse-prevention, sexual-harassment, technology, and safety training

Benefits:

• Free individual YMCA membership
• Retirement savings options, including 401(k) for eligible employees, 403(b), and Roth IRA
• Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) leave
• Training and development programs
• 50% discounts on eligible programs (for example, child care)
• Workers' compensation