Are you a rising undergraduate senior with a strong interest in learning about social or education programs, policies, and research? Are you curious how program evaluations can inform public policy? Are you considering graduate education or a career in public policy or education policy? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be an ideal candidate for a paid summer internship at MDRC, one of the nation’s premier social and education policy research firms. The mission of the internship, which is part of the MDRC Gueron Scholars Program, is to provide individuals from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the social and education policy research community with an opportunity for professional experience in the field.

The selected summer interns will be exposed to multidisciplinary teams that develop and evaluate programs focused on current social and education policy issues. Based on the area of interest, selected interns will have the opportunity to shadow a range of projects within one of MDRC’s five policy areas: Family Well-Being and Children’s Development; K-12 Education; Postsecondary Education; Economic Mobility, Housing, and Communities; and Youth Development, Criminal Justice, and Employment. Interns will be assigned to one of the project’s near-peer team members, who will be available to answer project inquires and serve as the project primary point of contact. Interns may be assigned hands-on tasks to support projects within MDRC’s policy areas and centers (Center for Applied Behavioral Science and Center for Data Insights).

Responsibilities:

The paid internship provides the opportunity to work with MDRC teams on a range of activities including:

• Participating in seminars to learn about MDRC’s education and social policy research
• Project shadowing to learn about the day-to-day aspects of real-life projects, as well as their research and policy contexts
• Networking within the MDRC community to learn more about topic areas of interest to understand the context of MDRC’s research and policy work
• Participating in other professional development activities, such as delivering a presentation on their internship experience and receiving resume coaching

The internship may include the following organizational, administrative, and analytical tasks to support projects, including but not limited to:

• Assisting with program development and operations activities for MDRC research studies
• Processing qualitative data
• Conducting literature reviews
• Participating in various stages of producing reports, proposals, and other written deliverables
• Assisting with innovative ways to communicate our findings to practitioners and policymakers
• Providing general project and management support for project teams, such as taking and synthesizing meeting notes
• Attending internal trainings and forums to develop specific skills and knowledge areas.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate student who will be a college senior in the 2021-2022 academic year
• Demonstrated interest in social and education policy issues
• Basic understanding of research methods
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Comfort working in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment
• Comfort with and interest in learning to use new software and technology, and ability to collaborate in a remote environment
• Strong writing and communication skills

Timing: Applications should be submitted by February 15, 2021. All applications and supporting materials will be reviewed after the application deadline.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents via our on-line application tracking system (below):

• A resume
• A personal statement (up to two single-spaced pages) that discusses (1) your interest in public policy issues and research, (2) your immediate career interests and goals after graduating from college, (3) how this internship, coupled with your academic pursuits and/or prior experiences, will contribute to your professional growth, and (4) how your background and life experience will bring greater diversity to the field. *Note: The personal statement should be submitted in lieu of a cover letter.
• Unofficial college transcript

Important Information:

Due to COVID-19, the program format and scope is subject to change. Because of pandemic-related office closures, the internship will likely be held remotely but may transition to MDRC’s New York City office, if employees are cleared to return. The internship opportunity is expected to begin in mid-June 2020 and last 4-8 weeks. Exact start and end dates are flexible.

• Each intern would be expected to work 17.5 hours per week at an hourly rate of $15.00 per hour.
• Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
• The Gueron Scholars Program undergraduate internship is coordinated by MDRC’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advocacy Council and the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion.

MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. MDRC does not discriminate, and all qualified applications will receive consideration without regard to race; color; national origin; religion; creed; sex or gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression); sexual orientation; citizenship status; pregnancy; disability; age; military or veteran status; marital or partnership status; genetic information, genetic predisposition, or carrier status; prior unemployment status; consumer credit history; status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking; or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Legal work authorization is required.