*To be considered for an internship, you must apply directly through our online application here.*

Cato’s paid internships are for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who have a strong commitment to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that, taken together, constitute libertarianism, known alternately as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, just “liberalism.”

To achieve the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Cato’s scholars typically take a skeptical look at proposals to expand the size, scope, and power of government. Many different policies impact American political life and Cato scholars work to research the different dimensions of life that are affected. Research includes freedom at various levels of the education system, the ability of people to make their own health care decisions, opportunities to reduce poverty through greater economic opportunities, high quality public opinion surveys to investigate evolving opinions, and the advancement of free minds and free markets within technology sectors of the economy.

Placement Options

Center for Educational Freedom

Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom (CEF) engages in the national debate to expand choice in K–12 education, reduce crippling government “help” in higher ed, and keep pre‑K focused on families, not government dictates. CEF interns will be in the midst of this, digging up data and research on education outcomes and inputs, talking with CEF scholars about the how and why of education policy, and better understanding the importance of freedom in an area in which it has been marginalized far too long.

Workload

• Provide fact‐​finding and research for scholars’ op‐​eds, papers, and blog posts
• Write background research on issues of interest to scholars
• Attend and report on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences

Qualifications

• Strong research and writing skills
• Dedicated interest in education policy
• Proficiency in Excel

Health Policy Studies

Support health policy research on topics ranging from Food and Drug Administration reform to telehealth expansion to the tax treatment of health care. You will work closely with Michael F. Cannon, director of health policy studies, and Jeffrey A. Singer, senior fellow, on research projects and hopefully gain new perspectives on health care issues during your internship. Responsibilities include collecting research data, tracking state and federal legislation, and assisting with policy forums and conferences for the department. Finalists for this department will be asked to provide a supplementary writing sample.

Workload

• Provide frequent fact‐​finding to support scholars’ op‐​eds, papers, and blog posts
• Track pending state and federal legislation
• Collect data for comparative studies of policies across states and countries
• Organize events

Qualifications

• Commitment to individual liberty
• Interest in making health care better, more affordable, and more secure
• Strong economics background
• Proficiency in Word and Excel

Libertarianism.org – Editing

Most people want freedom for themselves. Valuing the liberty of others is less common, especially of those who may be unlike us or behave in ways we disfavor. Libertarianism, and the broader liberal tradition, seeks freedom for everyone. Our goal at Libertarianism.org is to help people cultivate their love for the freedom of others. Editorial interns working with Libertarianism.org assist scholars with research and editing while learning about the history and philosophy of liberalism.

Workload

Duties vary based on intern’s skills and interests.

• Proofread and provide feedback on manuscripts
• Select excerpts from classic libertarian texts for publication
• Identify topics/areas of study important to the libertarian intellectual tradition that our website does not yet adequately cover
• Digitizing old books for republication

Qualifications

• Strong language skills, including experience reading academic literature
• Interest in the libertarian intellectual tradition and willingness to learn more
• Background in philosophy, intellectual history, or a related field
• Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style preferred
• The best candidates for this role will be curious, deliberate, and fastidious thinkers

Libertarianism.org – Marketing & Analytics

Most people want freedom for themselves. Valuing the liberty of others is less common, especially of those who may be unlike us or behave in ways we disfavor. Libertarianism, and the broader liberal tradition, seeks freedom for everyone. Our goal at Libertarianism.org is to help people cultivate their love for the freedom of others. Marketing and analytics interns work to help the L.org marketing and operations teams develop promotional materials and social media content and assess the team’s key performance indicators all while learning about the history and philosophy of liberalism.

Workload

• Staying up to date on trending/viral topics and communicating trends to stakeholders
• Analyzing social media and marketing-related data to help guide future marketing efforts.
• Studying libertarian perspectives on various topics and distilling them down for Libertarianism.org’s audience
• Listening to our latest podcasts and providing quotes and context for our marketing team
• Compiling quotes from various libertarian writers and thinkers for our social media

Qualifications

• Background in marketing, communication, business, or a related field
• Interest in the libertarian intellectual tradition and willingness to learn more
• Ability to grasp the core ideas of unfamiliar texts quickly and accurately
• Familiarity with the libertarian social media ecosystem
• Frequent user of social media
• Working knowledge of Excel and Outlook

Opportunity & Family Policy Studies

Workload

• Provide supporting research and fact‐​finding for scholars’ op‐​eds, blogs posts, etc.
• Find, gather, and research data on various economic indicators and governmental regulations
• Manage content for social media platforms

Qualifications

• Strong interest in urban growth, public land, transportation issues, housing/​zoning policy, and policies affecting family and opportunity
• Experience in marketing and social media content management and creation
• Experience with statistical software and analytical skills

Project on Public Opinion

Workload

• Provide research assistance for the design of national public opinion surveys on a wide variety of topics, including free speech, financial regulation, welfare, health care, criminal justice reform, and more
• Provide supporting research and fact‐​finding for scholars’ research papers, op‐​eds, and blog posts
• Assist in the editing, formatting, and citation of public opinion survey reports, opinion briefs, op‐​eds, and blog posts
• Write short memos analyzing public opinion data on a variety of topics as needed for presentations, reports, media appearances, etc.
• Help manage a daily poll tracker of national surveys
• Create social media content and shareable graphics

Qualifications

• Strong research skills
• Statistical background
• Proficiency in Excel spreadsheets and making graphics
• Sharp editing skills
• Problem solver and self‐​starter
• Interest in elections, politics, and polling a plus

Technology Policy

All Cato interns attend the same intensive seminar series, which covers a broad range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also aid with events and occasionally help Cato staff with other day-to-day needs.

Interns receive competitive compensation. Part-time positions are adjusted accordingly and carry a minimum of 25 hrs./wk. Program participants must be available in-person in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Cortez Bartolome, Programs Coordinator, at studentprograms@cato.org