The education policy team’s data intern will support the team’s cutting-edge research at the intersection of data, education policy, and technology. The data intern will research a variety of topics, including by:

• Examining the causes and consequences of post-pandemic chronic absenteeism,
• Constructing demographic community profiles,
• Synthesizing school board minutes,
• Analyzing national datasets on K–12 education,
• Analyzing social media trends, and
• Utilizing machine learning to conduct innovative research.

Candidates are expected to:

• Be highly interested in learning more about education policy;
• Have keen attention to detail and be highly effective at communication;
• Be comfortable with at least one programming language, such as Python, R, or STATA;
• Have a foundational understanding of statistics;
• Be comfortable working independently when given a project, and
• Be open to learning new skills on the job.

Applicants who go above and beyond will:

• Have taken coursework to understand, or have work experience in, education policy; and
• Demonstrate fluency in Python, R, or STATA, or demonstrate proficiency in statistics up to multivariate, hierarchical regression.

The ideal candidate for this position will have a passion for understanding K–12 American education through multiple types of data, have a general STEM background with a foundational understanding of statistics, and be driven by open-minded, intellectual curiosity. A background in R is ideal but not required.

The start dates for the spring program are January 7 and January 14. 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 preferred start date and note your in-person/virtual preference in your cover letter.  Please note that a cover letter and writing sample are both required, in order for your application to be considered complete.

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.