Photo courtesy of Ken Shipp | Energy Department.
The job of public affairs trainee is an entry-level position in bioenergy, in the education, communications, and outreach career sub-sector. Job seekers with education, communications, and outreach backgrounds or students studying communication, arts, and education could consider this type of entry-level bioenergy job.
Public affairs trainees work under the direction of existing public affairs staff to communicate technical information on research and development to a general audience. People in these positions may hold internships or entry-level jobs in bioenergy public affairs.
Public Affairs Trainee
| Alternate Title(s) | Communications Assistant; Public Affairs Assistant; Editorial Assistant |
| Education & Training Level Description | Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, English, Journalism, or any writing-intensive degree. |
| Experience | 0–3 years |
| Job Skills |
|
| Job Profile | The bioenergy sector will need good communicators to convey the facts about research and development being conducted in the bioenergy sector. Since bioenergy is an emerging field, it is especially important to have individuals that are able to convey the breakthroughs and possibilities of bioenergy in a general way to educate the public. Individuals in public affairs develop high-quality summaries, reports, memoranda, fact sheets, and presentations that can explain bioenergy science and technology in a more general way. They also establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives in disseminating information or answering inquiries about the science and technology. Public affairs also prepare scientists and engineers to talk about their research on broader scale through talking points and arranging speaking sessions. At the entry level, individuals public affairs trainees under the direction of existing public affairs staff to communicate technical information on research and development to a general audience. A bachelor’s degree in public relations or a liberal arts degree with a focus on writing and communications is preferred. Equivalent experience or training may substitute for a degree. Employers also value relevant experience or training through undergraduate capstone research projects, part-time employment, internships, or volunteer work. A good foundational understanding of communications and technical writing is also recommended. |
More Entry-Level Education, Communications, and Outreach Jobs in Bioenergy
Related Bioenergy Career Resources
Bioenergy Career Exploration Wheel