Guidelines for Securing Policy-Oriented Internships
By Abhimanyu Banerjee, Social Sciences Correspondent
For economics undergraduates with an interest in public policy, the summer months can be a golden opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience. Here, we explore various avenues to secure summer internships that intersect economics and policy.
Targeted Opportunities
Targeting internships offered by policy think tanks, government offices, advocacy organizations, and research institutes focused on economics and policy can lead to rewarding experiences. For instance, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) offers a Summer/Fall research internship in its Economics Program, focusing on international economic issues relevant to public policy.
State government internships, such as the California State Assembly District Office, provide exposure to legislative processes and constituent services, valuable for policy careers. The Students for Economic Justice (SEJ) offers a paid summer internship, placing students in labor unions and community groups engaged in economic justice campaigns.
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) offers summer research internships focused on immigration policy with economic and social dimensions, ideal for those interested in policy research.
Expanding Your Search
To maximise chances, apply early as deadlines for summer internships often fall in winter or early spring. Look for both paid and unpaid internships to gain diverse experiences. Consider roles in research, advocacy, legislative offices, and nonprofits that intersect economics and public policy.
Networking with university career centres, professors, and student organisations focused on economics or public policy can also be beneficial. Utilise internship listings at think tanks (e.g., CSIS), advocacy groups, government agencies, and platforms like UNjobnet, Indeed, and specialized policy organisation websites.
Think Outside the Box
Finding policy-based internships can be challenging, but with unorthodox thinking, it can be achieved. Keeping an open mind and considering unconventional applications of economic analysis can make the search more productive.
The author, a college student, found it difficult to find internships in policy and economics research, with most opportunities being in finance or investment banking. However, a change in approach led to a policy-focused internship at C-PREE, despite there being no formal internship opportunity.
Learning from Experience
Reaching out to older students and learning from their experiences is another effective strategy. The author recommends this approach, having gained insights about his college journey and advice for internships and research by emailing his economics class preceptor.
In Conclusion
This article aims to make the process of finding a summer internship easier for economics undergraduates interested in public policy. With targeted research, networking, and unconventional thinking, rewarding opportunities can be found.
- To further enhance career paths in economics and public policy, students should utilize educational resources and self-development opportunities during the summer, such as attending workshops or webinars focused on career development and learning about new policy research methodologies.
- University career development centers frequently offer resources for students seeking internships in policy and economics, including interview preparation, resume reviews, and networking events with potential employers, making it essential for students to engage with these services.
