Overview

The US-ASEAN Business Council is the premier advocacy organization for U.S. corporations operating within the dynamic Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), serving as the leading voice of the U.S. private sector in promoting mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships between the United States and Southeast Asia. The Council is the only U.S.-based organization recognized in the ASEAN charter as a supporting organization of ASEAN. The Council's members include more than 180 of the most successful and innovative corporations in the world, including Apple, Boeing, Citi, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, and Microsoft. Combined, these 180+ companies generate over $6 trillion in revenue and employ more than 13 million people worldwide.

Cradled between China, India and Australia, ASEAN is the third-largest economy in the Indo-Pacific and the fifth largest in the world with a GDP of $2.8 trillion and a population of 650 million. As a critical hub for global trade, more than $3.4 trillion in global trade transits through ASEAN each year. In 2019, ASEAN became the 4th largest goods export market for the U.S. after Canada, Mexico, and China, reaching over $105 billion in exports in goods and services. It has also attracted more U.S. investment than any other destination in the whole of Indo-Pacific, receiving almost $329 billion in investment, more than the United States has directed to China, India, Japan, and South Korea combined.

Internship Duties and Learning Outcomes

The Council’s Internship Program aims to provide hands-on experience in the field of U.S. – ASEAN business relations. Throughout the internship, students will collaborate directly with the Membership team, undertaking highly substantive work, including research, social media, program support and attendance, and various other tasks in support of our members.

Membership and Business Development Internship Duties:

The Membership and Business Development Intern will assist the Membership team by advancing membership outreach and engagement. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Researching U.S. private sector activities in ASEAN
• Coordinating with Membership team to develop prospective member lists, perform outreach and work to grow the overall Council membership
• Supporting meetings with private sector executives, particularly those based in Washington, DC
• Assisting with monthly membership reports
• Option to attend ASEAN-related briefings at institutions around D.C.

Internship Stipend

No Stipend

Qualifications

The Council is looking for highly motivated candidates who are undergraduates, recent graduates, or graduate students with a strong demonstrable interest in Southeast Asia or trade policy. We are seeking individuals with strong written and organizational skills, as well as well-honed research abilities.

• Customer service experience and excellent research skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, particularly Excel
• Attention to detail
• Self-motivated, curious
• Ability to work a minimum of 3-4 days per week
• Ability to work legally in the United States (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, or Qualifying Asylee/Refugee)
• Based in the U.S. for the duration of the internship
• Must intern on a hybrid basis

Application Procedures, Deadlines and Internship Periods

To apply to the Council’s internship program, please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample (no more than two pages). The cover letter should include information about your availability (including expected start and end date) and a brief description of your academic and professional goals.

Deadline: March 10, 2025

Any questions should also be addressed to internships@usasean.org.