Qualified candidates will be highly motivated and energetic self-starters. Interns will assist individual projects and departments in several capacities and should be enthusiastic about working on a variety of tasks. Candidates must but team players and express an interest in at least one of BPC’s various policy projects or functional areas. Internship opportunities are available within the following teams:
- Communications
- Governance
- Development
- Early Childhood Initiative
- Economic Policy Project
- Government Relations, BPC Action
- Health Project
- Immigration & Cross-Border Policy Project
- Housing and Infrastructure
- Corporate Governance & Finance
SPRING PROGRAM
During the fall and spring semesters, internships are part-time. Spring interns will receive a $1,500 stipend. Applicants must be rising juniors or above and currently be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply but must have a valid work permit or visa verifying eligibility to work in the United States. They do not offer visa sponsorship.
Spring internship hours are flexible, allowing students to gain valuable experience while maintaining their regular class schedules. Intern responsibilities include but are not limited to providing administrative support, assisting with events and meetings, conducting research and assisting with the development and writing of reports, white papers, and proposals. While interns work closely with their assigned project teams, there are also opportunities to learn from and be exposed to the wide range of issues addressed by the organization. BPC encourages interns to attend off-site events and to participate in educational opportunities with fellow staff.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the application period closes. Please submit all required materials in one condensed PDF file via email to bpcinternships@bipartisanpolicy.org. Please do not send multiple submissions. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Due to the number of applications received, we are unable to contact those who have not been selected for an internship. No phone calls please.
Required materials:
- Cover Letter – please indicate your two areas of interest from BPC’s project and functional areas listed above.
- Resume.
- Relevant writing sample (3-5 pages).
- College or university transcript (unofficial is acceptable).
- Phone and email contact information for two professional references, including a professor or other individual familiar with your work.
Women and those who identify as People of Color are highly encouraged to apply.
ECONOMIC POLICY PROJECT INTERNSHIP
The Economic Policy Project (EPP) develops bipartisan policy recommendations designed to enhance the economic opportunity, prosperity, and security of the American people. In addition to developing recommendations, EPP provides timely analysis of fiscal and economic policy.
In 2018, BPC launched the Task Force on Higher Education Financing and Student Outcomes to rethink federal and state approaches to higher education in ways that promote affordability and accountability throughout the system. The task force will deliberate on a range of topics, creating a vision for the future of public policy’s role in postsecondary education – one that recognizes the changing student body, innovations in education, and the demands of America’s 21st century economy.
EPP also continues to be a trusted leader in federal fiscal policy, particularly in analyzing the budget and debt limit. EPP’s debt limit analyses have long been widely cited both in the media and directly by policymakers. EPP’s first analysis of the federal debt limit was led by now Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell during his time as a Fellow at BPC.
Continuing EPP’s work on retirement policy, the Funding Our Future campaign was launched in 2018 by the Bipartisan Policy Center and financial advisor Ric Edelman. The goal of the campaign is to raise the profile of challenges facing the American retirement system and to strengthen people’s ability to retire securely in America. The campaign is now made up of a diverse set of more than 30 educational and private sector partner organizations, crossing political and geographical divides.
Prior to the launch of Funding Our Future, EPP released the final report of its Commission on Retirement Security and Personal Savings, a two-year effort that produced a comprehensive package of bipartisan recommendations aimed at improving retirement security.
Other areas where EPP has done substantial work include tax reform, sequestration and the federal budget process.
Responsibilities
The intern will support long-term policy projects and papers, conducting background research and writing. They will also draft blog posts and assist staff in preparing responses to Hill and media requests. Other facets of the internship include: monitoring major congressional activity, analyzing budget documents, and event planning. The intern will be asked to handle multiple assignments and switch between them depending on EPP’s needs.
Qualifications
- Must be an enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school
- Strong research and writing skills
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
- An interest in fiscal and economic policy topics, such as higher education, retirement savings, and federal budget policy.
- Strong quantitative analysis skills; proficiency with Microsoft Excel preferred
