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 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia 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, 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 is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, graduate students, and recent graduates with an interest in education policy to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. This internship pays an hourly rate of $17.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 20 hours and up to 40 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

Position Location: This position is open to hybrid and/or remote applicants. Hybrid work combines regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. 

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation. Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.

Responsibilities

Interns will have the opportunity to apply a variety of research skills such as policy landscapes, literature reviews, data collection, coding, and general research support. Interns will also lead a weekly briefing on education items in the news and recent research. The topic areas of work include, but are not limited to, teacher workforce policies, the benefits and perils of school choice, access and success in higher education, and school discipline policies. Fall interns also will be heavily involved in a project focused on understanding school boards and their elections. Interns will have the opportunity to perform substantive research and be exposed to top experts in the education policy field.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Undergraduate students in their junior year or senior year as well as recent college graduates (i.e., individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year) working toward a degree in public policy, political science, economics, and/or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Our most successful interns have: A demonstrated interest in open governance, transparency, anti-corruption, and/or natural resource governance issues; Strong writing, analytic, and internet-based research skills; Experience with fact-checking, data entry, and editing; Familiarity with data collection, Excel, and/or database management.

Additional Information:

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 application. 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.

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.

Please note: Applications will be accepted until November 5, 2023. 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.