Summer 2021, Research and Project Coordination Internship, Center for Sustainable Development, Global Economy & Development

Overview

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks! 

Interns spend approximately 10 weeks remotely working alongside leading experts in government, international economics and development from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills. 

 

Interns will have the opportunity to attend virtual meetings, local think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution.

 

This internship, beginning in June 2021, is an opportunity for graduate or undergraduate students in their sophomore, junior or senior year with an interest in either advancing global sustainable development and/or U.S. community and economic development and promoting geographic equity to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment.

This internship pays an hourly rate of $15.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 20 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. 

 

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here.

Responsibilities

The Global Economy and Development (“Global”) program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress. The intern will work with its Center for Sustainable Development team, and gain exposure to a broad set of policy topics related to global sustainable development and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well as domestic federal policy, while developing their analytical thinking, organizational, and writing skills. 

The intern will assist a senior fellow of the Center for Sustainable Development with either (i) a project to reimagine federal policy for rural community and economic development, alongside other projects, or (ii) the execution of the 17 Rooms initiative – a new convening and problem-solving approach to stimulate cooperative action for the SDGs. Applicants should expect a range of opportunities, broadly defined under the following categories:

 

General research and writing: The intern will support tasks including literature review, conducting data searches, data analysis, database updates, bibliographic support, fact-checking, and contributing to blogs, research briefs, and presentations.

Event Coordination and Administrative Support: During the internship period, there will be virtual meetings and events for which the intern will provide support through drafting invitations, tracking registration, communication with external stakeholders, notetaking, and coordinating travel as required. The intern will also support the scholar by creating PowerPoints, drafting public remarks, and scheduling meetings. 

 

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

 

Graduate students or undergraduate students completing their sophomore, junior, or senior year in a discipline relevant to sustainable development (e.g., economics, political science, heath science, natural science, climate science, public policy). Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public policy and promoting equity. Candidates with an interest in either (a) the Sustainable Development Goals, or (b) creating local, regional, and national policies that eliminate poverty and sources of distress in rural U.S. communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have some knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods research, and experience in conducting literature searches and review. Strong written and verbal communication skills required. Coursework related to empirical analysis or quantitative research experience (e.g., economic analysis, working with federal spending data, quantitative analysis of policy impact) a plus. Additionally, applicants should have prior meeting or event coordination experience and a strong attention to detail.

 

 

Additional Information:

 

This is a remote only opportunity. This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings.

 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and add your cover letter as an attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship you apply to. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals.  Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.

 

Selected applicants will additionally be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.  

 

Applications will be accepted until February 28, 2021. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

 

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).

 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.