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Harley-Davidson Has Selected 8 Interns to Ride Across America This Summer The company has hired college students and recent grads to 'discover motorcycle culture' and contribute to its social media channels.

By Lydia Belanger

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Sean Gallup | Getty Images

Update, June 14, 2018: Harley-Davidson has announced that it has selected eight interns for its #FindYourFreedom social media internship program.

The motorcycle company told Entrepreneur in an email that it received more than 7,500 applicants from more than 30 countries, and that the program is part of efforts to "create 2 million new riders by 2027."

Interns will ride Harleys across the U.S. throughout the summer, documenting their journeys on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Learn more about the eight #FindYourFreedom interns in Harley-Davidson's video below, and check out Entrepreneur's original story to learn more about the program.

The original story, published April 23, 2018, follows.

What does your dream summer look like? Does it involve spending a lot of time outdoors versus inside under fluorescent lights? Developing your career but saving some time to travel?

If all three of these scenarios sound ideal, Harley-Davidson may have the perfect opportunity for you. The motorcycle company is seeking applicants for its 12-week #FindYourFreedom internship, which will allow lucky college juniors, seniors and recent grads to ride Harleys across the U.S. and pay them to explore and discover "motorcycle culture."

Interns will learn how to ride a motorcycle, and in collaboration with Harley-Davidson's marketing team, they'll help create content for the company's social media accounts.

Related: Stop Delegating Social Media to Your Interns

Over the past couple of years, Harley-Davidson has eliminated hundreds of jobs in the U.S. and seen a decline in shipments worldwide, with 241,000 bikes shipped in 2017 and an estimated 231,000 to 236,000 for 2018, Reuters reported in January. Younger generations' reluctance to embrace the brand may be the culprit.

"Through content you create, you will be helping us fulfill our mission to grow the sport of motorcycling," the company website tells prospective interns. They'll also attend company events and meetings, according to the listing.

If interns pass a H-D Riding Academy course and obtain a motorcycle endorsement within a specified time period, they'll even get to keep the bike Harley issues them.

The application involves showing Harley-Davidson "what freedom means to you" via essay, video, photo collage or another medium.

Related video: How to Stand Out on Social Media, Even With Heavy Competition

Lydia Belanger is a former associate editor at Entrepreneur. Follow her on Twitter: @LydiaBelanger.

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