Associate

Inspire Columbia's Associate Program is an entry-level professional residency that pairs selected undergraduate and graduate students from Columbia-area colleges and universities with a dedicated nonprofit department for the academic year.

As an Associate, you will be placed directly onto one of our functional teams or assigned to an event under a Director or C-Suite leader. You will work firsthand on high-impact, city-wide programming, engaging with real community stakeholders, managing actual budgets and operations, and driving deliverables that reach the greater Columbia area.

The Associate Program serves as the foundational leadership pipeline for Inspire Columbia. Associates gain practical know-how, sharp problem-solving skills, and direct mentorship designed to prepare them for promotion into Director, Lead Organizer, and C-Suite executive positions.

Responsibilities

• Embed directly within one of our functional departments (Nonprofit Finances & Legal; Technology & Web Development; Marketing & Press Strategy; Sponsorships, Partnerships, & Fundraising; Speaker Curation & Mentorship; or Production & Operations) to execute critical weekly initiatives and deliverables.

• Support the end-to-end planning, logistics, coordination, and on-site execution of major Inspire Columbia civic events throughout the school year.

• Work closely under the mentorship of Directors, Lead Organizers, and C-Suite officers to solve complex operational challenges and navigate real-world project dependencies.

• Attend weekly departmental meetings, participate in scheduled leadership check-ins, and contribute reliably to team milestones.

• Complete comprehensive logistics, leadership, and operational training during the Associate Class Orientation at the Darla Moore School of Business.

Qualifications

Applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students in their first or second year of study at one of the following eligible institutions. Third-year students and onward will not be considered, but are encouraged to apply for more senior roles such as Director positions.

• University of South Carolina, Columbia

• Allen University

• Benedict College

• Columbia College

• Columbia International University

• Midlands Technical College

• Newberry College

Additionally, candidates must live in or near Columbia, SC with the ability to attend in-person meetings, training sessions, and live events. Applicants must be authorized to work for a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a volunteer basis.