Policy Research Intern / Research Associate

Posted On: July 28, 2015

Journalism Internship

Media Organization: Center for an Urban Future

Company Description

The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is an independent nonprofit public policy research think-tank that produces innovative analysis on economic development and workforce development issues in New York City, with a focus on promoting economic diversity while creating opportunities for disadvantaged populations and lower-skill workers.

Our work seeks to highlight issues within our fields of focus that tend to fly under the radar in mainstream policy discussions. In recent years, CUF’s research has shined a spotlight on the role of immigrant entrepreneurs as economic engines for many outer-borough neighborhoods, the rise of the design and tech fields in the city, the role of public libraries as human capital institutions, and how community colleges are a crucial and underleveraged element in the city’s workforce development system.

Job Description

The Center seeks interns with experience in journalism or public policy research to support our work. Responsibilities can include extensive phone interviews, Web research, data analysis, and writing. Other duties include coordinating meetings with government officials and attending policy meetings.

Skills and attributes we seek are:
• Strong writing and oral communications skills
• Ability to synthesize ideas clearly and concisely
• Ability to conduct effective interviews over the phone and in person
• High level of competency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• At least some experience with public data sources like the US Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• An interest in economic development, urban planning, workforce development, and higher education issues

We prefer current graduate students or those with advanced degrees in public policy, urban planning, journalism, economics, government, social science, or related fields, though we will also consider accomplished undergraduate students. Our internship program is very competitive and attracts talented undergraduate and graduate students from across the country and around the world.

We hire throughout the year for three cohorts: Spring (January to mid-May), Summer (May to end of August), and Fall (September to December). We accept applications on a rolling basis, so in the subject line of your email please indicate the cohort(s) for which you would be interested in applying.

You must be able to commit to at least 20 hours a week. This is an unpaid internship that can be used for college credit where applicable, but we provide a small stipend at the end of the internship to help offset travel expenses.

We maintain a friendly and open working environment and encourage people of all backgrounds: age, race, ethnicity, gender, creed, and sexual orientation to apply.

To Apply

Send resume with cover letter to intern@nycfuture.org.