Business Advisor Support Intern (Mandarin Chinese Speaker)

Internship Opportunity

Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (REDC), a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Business Advisor Support Intern to assist our Business Advisor team in serving small businesses throughout NYC. This internship is an excellent opportunity for students or early-career professionals interested in small business development, community economic empowerment, and access-to-capital work. The intern will gain hands-on exposure to business counseling, loan application support, and community engagement while learning how a CDFI supports diverse low-to-moderate income businesses.

Key Responsibilities (Support Role)

• Participate in outreach activities throughout NYC, including events, tabling, and community partner engagement.
• Provide translation/interpretation (Mandarin Chinese ↔ English) during client meetings and workshops, as needed.
• Assist Business Advisors with client intake, scheduling, and follow-ups.
• Support preparation of loan application packages by gathering documentation, organizing files, and ensuring completeness.
• Help maintain accurate client records in Salesforce and assist with data entry/reporting.
• Help develop and distribute workshop and marketing materials on topics such as financial literacy, digital marketing, and business planning.
• Conduct basic market research and collect community resource information to strengthen REDC's services.
• Shadow Business Advisors to gain hands-on learning in counseling, small business operations, and loan processing.

What We're Looking For

• Current student or recent graduate (Business, Finance, Economics, Public Administration, or related field preferred).
• Interest in economic development, community impact, entrepreneurship, and small business finance.
• Strong organizational and communication skills; detail oriented.
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office/Google Suite; Salesforce or CRM experience a plus (training provided).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a mission-driven team.
• Commitment to supporting diverse low-to-moderate-income communities.
• Willingness and ability to work in-person in Flushing and occasionally travel to other NYC boroughs.
• Fluent in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written) – required

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience working in a mission-driven nonprofit CDFI.
• Exposure to small business counseling, lending processes, and financial education.
• Opportunity to strengthen bilingual professional communication skills.
• Networking with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and finance professionals.
• Professional mentorship and potential pathways for future employment in business advising, community development, or economic inclusion.

Internship Details

• Schedule: Flexible; part-time (10-15 hours per week) during the semester; full-time option in summer.
• Compensation: Paid internship (hourly rate, commensurate with experience).
• Location: On-site in NYC area

How We Work: At Renaissance, we are committed to serving the communities we support with dedication and excellence. We are a results-driven organization focused on empowerment and impact. Our employees are accountable, pragmatic, innovative, and collaborative, with a strong commitment to community service and development. We embrace strategic thinking and a commitment to treating each other and the communities we serve with respect and dignity. We have an aptitude for technology and a strong desire to continuously learn. This philosophy expands to the way we manage our work and the way we put our best foot forward. Expectations for all staff:

• Support efforts that ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
• Appreciates the value of working collaboratively with individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking.
• An understanding of how systems and structures can affect people's opportunities and experiences in different settings.
• Maintain a positive, helpful attitude.
• Enjoy your time at work!

Who We Are: Renaissance's mission is to transform low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities and under-resourced entrepreneurs in our target markets by providing affordable small business loans, training, and counseling services. We serve the New York Metro Area, including New York City, Long Island, the Mid-Hudson Valley, and New Jersey. We are US Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Small Business Administration (SBA) Intermediary Microlender, and SBA Community Advantage (7a) lender.