Marketing Beyond the Classroom: An Economic Development Summer

Written by Allison Manning | Aug 4, 2026, 8:21:50 PM

My name is Allison Manning, and I am a proud Pirate studying Marketing at East Carolina University. This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to be a marketing intern at the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region. As a Golden LEAF scholar, this internship was completed through the Golden LEAF Foundation’s “Rural Internship Initiative” program.

To become a RII intern, you must meet many requirements, complete a rigorous application, and select a site in a rural county in North Carolina to become your host for the 10 weeks. When researching sites to complete the internship, I reached out to the Marketing and Communications Manager at the NCGTPEDR, Gracie Herring. She assisted me in completing all the required paperwork, and once I was approved by the RII team, I was able to start the internship on May 18^th.

Throughout the internship, I learned so much about how Economic Development impacts our community and that the NCGTPEDR and The Golden LEAF Foundation have similar visions. The NCGTPEDR’s vision is to bring industries, employment and people to our region to generate growth. The Golden LEAF Foundation’s vision is to bring college graduates from rural counties back into those counties for employment after graduation. They both strive for the same thing – growth.

While born and raised in Lenoir County, I was unaware of the true impact of economic development and our region's industries. Thanks to the NCGTPEDR, I have become familiar with many of the industries and public figures in our region. I have been able to get a first-hand look at the businesses and people that make my hometown successful!

As a young professional studying marketing, I am eager to learn more about my career path and gain experience every chance that I can. I have gained many valuable skills that will take me far in the start of my marketing career, such as:

Proficiency in professional photo editing software, including Adobe Lightroom, for image enhancement and content creation.
Experience using Canva to design marketing materials, including graphics, flyers, posters, and other branding.
Assist with event planning, coordination, and on-site event preparation.
Support the development and execution of promotional campaigns, outreach initiatives, and special events.
Contribute to website development, content creation, and ongoing website maintenance.
Create, schedule, and publish social media content highlighting regional news, events, and economic development initiatives.
Maintain and organize client contact databases to support relationship management and outreach efforts.
Develop a professional portfolio showcasing completed marketing, communications, and design projects.

As I approach the end of my internship, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow as a marketer. I could not be more thankful to the NCGTPEDR Team for hosting me, making me feel welcome, and most importantly, helping me grow in my field of study. I am truly honored to have had this experience and could not have asked for a better way to spend my summer break!

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