External Engagement Internship

bso; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 15,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discount

Mentorship

Professional development

Flexible hours

Job summary

Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) invites applications for an Education & External Engagement Intern. The role focuses on administrative tasks to drive educational programming, community engagement, and brand awareness within the Education & External Engagement Department.

The ideal candidate supports Directors, Program Managers, and internal partners, using technology to streamline operations and analytics. Flexible hours; hybrid schedule; in‑person work required 5–10 hours weekly.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or current student in good academic standing.
• Experience with goal setting, event planning, and strategic development.
• Knowledge of classical music.
• Understanding of project management, data collection and KPI methods.
• Professional, reliable with diverse stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, able to work independently and in teams.
• Strong written English, proofreading and drafting skills.
• Effective communication, high EQ and collaborative mindset.
• Proficient with technology to manage projects (G‑Suite, MS Office).

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to Education and External Engagement Team.
• Assist with strategic planning, research, materials prep and program facilitation.
• Handle administrative duties for external engagement events.
• Organize and manage project databases.
• Prepare meetings and mailing correspondence.
• Support brand growth and community engagement initiatives.
• Assist with data analysis to inform strategies.
• Assist with budgeting, cost tracking, and reporting.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams for events.

Skills

Goal setting

Event planning

Strategic development

Data collection & KPI

Communication

Technology proficiency

Education

College student status (sophomore–graduate)

Tools

G-Suite

MS Office

Workday

Zoom

Job description

Summary/Objective

Job Description

About the BSO

Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is one of the premier orchestras in the world. The BSO is committed to being a best-in-class employer that brings artistic excellence and cultural relevance through music and performances to the local and international communities.

About the Role

The Education & External Engagement Intern is responsible for administrative tasks within BSO's Education & External Engagement Department to drive educational programming, community engagement, brand awareness, and smooth operations. The ideal candidate can multitask and pivot, while establishing and maintaining efficient organizational systems. This role will work closely with the Directors of Education and External Engagement, Program Managers, and internal partners to consistently deliver on educational and community engagement objectives while maximizing team effectiveness and performance by leveraging technology (G-Suite, MS Office Suite, Workday, Zoom, and related platforms).

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide direct support to the Education and External Engagement Team (VP, Directors, & Program Managers)
• Support the department's strategic planning process and project management cycles through research, materials prep, site visits, and assistance with program facilitation
• Assume responsibility for administrative duties related to external engagement, including Community Chamber Concerts, Concert for the City, Opening Our Doors, Holiday Pops Military Preview
• Organize and manage project databases
• Assist with meeting preparation and mailing correspondence
• Understand the BSO's brand, growth and marketing goals, and how they apply to the department's collaborative strategies
• Assist with organizing and analyzing data logically and proactively to recommend novel approaches, targeting, and beta testing strategies
• Support fiscal management, including inventory, tracking expenditures, paying vendors, staying on budget, estimating monthly costs, reconciling expenses, and submitting reports
• Partner with other BSO teams to build brand awareness, increase community engagement, and drive conversations with relevant, on-brand influencers and brand partners
• Complete other tasks as assigned

WORK SCHEDULE

Duration: October 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027

Flexible hours, Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

A minimum of 5 hours per week is required to be completed in person.

Weekend and evening event participation as needed.

Attendance and assistance, as schedules permit, at select events, including: Community Chamber Concerts (see Addendum on last page)

Harvard Symphony Society (TBD)

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Must be a recent graduate or currently enrolled in good academic standing as a college sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student
• Experience with goal setting, event planning, and strategic development
• Knowledge of classical music
• Understands project management & implementation, data collection and analysis methodologies, and key performance indicators (KPI)
• Professional, honest, and reliable with the ability to deal respectfully and responsively with people from various backgrounds, experience levels, and in all types of situations
• Problem-solver with a strong ability to evaluate problems accurately and apply good judgment
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a welcoming environment
• Possesses a strong command of written English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Must be able to accurately proofread, edit, and draft written correspondence to internal and external interest holders
• Skillful communicator & active listener; High EQ, low ego; clear, honest, transparent communication
• Technology Proficiency; experience developing organizational systems and leveraging technology to manage projects (G-Suite, MS Office - Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Flexible and adaptable with a growth mindset
• High integrity and trustworthy
• Passionate, courteous, and ambitious
• Tenacious, resilient, strong work ethic
• Motivated self-starter, effective communicator, and collaborative team player
• Intellectually curious and innovative; highly analytical and strategic; can connect the dots

Important Notifications

Hybrid

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: Up to $18.00 per hour (5-10 hours per week)

Benefits

• Employee discount; complimentary admission to many Boston museums and cultural arts attractions
• Mentorship: Receive one-on-one mentorship with senior staff offering personalized career guidance and support
• Professional development and exclusive coaching in project management, arts administration, and community engagement
• Monday to Friday day shift with opportunities to support evening/weekend programming

The intern would be a part of an inclusive team inviting innovative ideas and meaningful contributions. Inventive approaches and creativity are welcomed a