Policy Research Internship
The Center for an Urban Future (CUF) is an independent nonprofit public policy research think-tank that produces innovative analysis on economic development and workforce development issues in New York City, with a focus on promoting economic diversity while creating opportunities for disadvantaged populations and lower-skill workers. Our work seeks to highlight issues within our fields of focus that tend to fly under the radar in mainstream policy discussions.
Over the years, through studies and high-profile events, CUF has put forth concrete ideas for city and state policymakers that have influenced city and state policies on diversifying the economy, boosting the number of middle class jobs, expanding apprenticeships and tech training programs, supporting immigrant entrepreneurs, bolstering public libraries, scaling up small businesses, strengthening human services organizations, sustaining artists, and helping New York’s community college students achieve college and career success, investment in green public works projects, closing racial disparities in the city’s economy, improving services for older New Yorkers, and more. In the months ahead, CUF will step up our work outlining innovative and achievable ideas for creating good jobs, building new pathways into the middle class, and ensuring a lasting and equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Center seeks interns with experience in or degrees in public policy, urban planning, journalism, economics, government, social science, or related fields. During this internship, policy research interns will learn about the research and editorial processes of a think tank and how research reports can help guide, inspire, and spark policy changes based on successful written and verbal communication strategy.
Responsibilities can include:
- Conducting background research and drafting memos on issues related to public policy to guide new and existing research projects.
- Pulling, cleaning, and analyzing data from sources such as the US Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and American Community Survey.
- Contributing to the report production process by drafting text, proof-reading, fact-checking, and editing.
- Developing initial source lists for research outreach.
- Coordinating phone and video interviews, conducting those interviews, and drafting memos based on findings and key themes.
- Keeping up to date on local city and state policy, including attending hearings and presentations.
Skills and attributes we seek are:
- Strong writing and oral communications skills
- Ability to synthesize ideas clearly and concisely.
- Ability to conduct effective interviews over the phone and in person.
- High level of competency in Microsoft Office, with proficiency in Excel.
- Attention to detail. Exactitude and precision must be shown when working with CUF materials.
- Time management and multi-tasking. This role will require managing several tasks, prioritizing them based on a variety of timelines, and pivoting to different tasks as deadlines are modified.
- Willingness to learn. They must be willing to learn new skills, approaches, and tactics, and openness to working on a variety of assignments.
- Goal-oriented perspective. They must be able to grasp the broader organizational goals and think strategically about how to accomplish them through individual assignments.
- An interest in economic development, urban planning, workforce development, and higher education issues.
- PLUS: Some experience with public data sources like the US Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Requirements:
- Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
- Must be able to commit to at least 20 hours a week, within the operating hours of 10am to 6pm
- Must be able to come into the office at least twice a week during open office hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
In order to apply, please send a resume with cover letter to intern @ nycfuture.org with "Policy Research Internship (cohort)" in the subject line. We are currently hiring for our Fall (September - December) cohort.