The American Enterprise Institute’s Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility (COSM) seeks a driven, research-oriented data intern for summer 2024. The intern will work closely with COSM scholars Kevin Corinth and Scott Winship and COSM staff on quantitative, empirically driven, and policy-informing research that aims to improve opportunity and mobility for low-income Americans. The data intern will assist with studying the determinants of economic mobility and human flourishing in America.

The COSM data intern will interact with a variety of research and policy areas, including:

• Federal safety-net programs such as cash welfare, food assistance, and unemployment insurance;
• Trends in social capital in America; and
• Determinants of economic mobility and human flourishing.

The ideal COSM data intern is:

• Interested in learning more about antipoverty and opportunity policy,
• Motivated and comfortable working independently,
• Open to learning new skills on the job,
• Detail oriented, and
• Effective at communication.

The COSM data intern will be expected to:

• Retrieve and analyze datasets,
• Assist with data-visualization projects,
• Produce literature reviews and memos,
• Complete administrative and logistical tasks,
• Perform background research for reports and scholarly publications, and
• Fact-check and edit op-eds and blog posts.

Successful applicants should have:

• A foundational understanding of statistics and mathematics applicable to economics and public policy research,
• Completed coursework to understand or have experience with using STATA for public policy, and
• Demonstrated fluency in STATA and proficiency in statistics.

The ideal candidate for this internship will have a passion for understanding trends in poverty and mobility as well as engaging in policy-applicable research through data analysis and quantitative methods.

AEI’s summer 2024 internship program will have three start dates: May 14, 21, and 28, 2024. While the AEI internship program and all related programming will take place in person in Washington, DC, this spring, virtual interns may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please include your in-person or virtual preference in your cover letter.

About AEI Internships

AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain experience in research, writing, business, and communications at one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Competitive candidates will generally have a 3.4 GPA or higher from a top-ranking college or university. The AEI internship program runs 12 weeks. Please see the internship program home page for updates about the program.

If you are interested in an AEI internship, you might also be interested in applying for AEI’s Summer Honors Program! AEI’s Summer Honors Program is an intensive, fully-funded educational and professional development opportunity for top undergraduate students. Situated in the heart of Washington, DC, this program provides participants the opportunity to connect with the ideas, research, and network of AEI–one of America’s preeminent policy think tanks. This will occur during an intensive one-week seminar led by an AEI scholar or partner instructor. All undergraduates, including Winter 2023 and Spring 2024 graduates are eligible to apply for this terrific paid one-week program. The Early Decision deadline is February 1 and the Regular Decision deadline is March 1. AEI internships can be done in conjunction with Summer Honors Program. Please visit https://www.aei.org/shp/ to learn more.