Are you a strategic thinker with top-notch organizational skills looking for a paid summer internship with a purpose? Are you passionate about eliminating racial and economic inequities in the U.S.?

The Education Trust (EdTrust) seeks 3 undergraduate or graduate students, or recent graduates, to join our inaugural class of higher ed policy implementation interns. Higher Ed Policy Implementation Interns will join EdTrust’s diverse staff in the national office working to improve higher education opportunities and outcomes among students of color and students from low-income backgrounds through research, policy design, advocacy, and technical assistance.

What’s policy implementation? It’s where the rubber meets the road in public policy. It’s about putting ideas into action, monitoring results, and making adjustments to make greater impact.

Examples of our higher ed policy implementation work are here , here , and here . See also recent reports and press releases at edtrust.org.

Available beginning in May or June, this internship runs for eight to twelve weeks for 25-30 hours per week in our Washington, DC, office. There may be an option to work from either our New York, NY or Nashville, TN office, space permitting. Interns will work in the office every Tuesday, which is our mandatory, all-staff (including interns and fellows) in-office day, and at least one additional day per week. Interns will have a dedicated workspace, an EdTrust laptop, and access to office resources such as conference rooms, printers, and office supplies. During in-office days, interns will have the opportunity to collaborate with EdTrust staff and interns as well as socialize and get to know other members of the team. The EdTrust office is closed the week of July 1st - 5th, so interns should plan to work remotely on pre-assigned projects or not work any hours that week.

We encourage applications from students and recent graduates who identify with our mission, are excited to learn more about state and federal policy implementation, and are prepared to use and hone their knowledge and skills to advance higher education equity. We aim to onboard a team of up to three interns. We do not expect one candidate to fulfill all responsibilities or bring all qualifications listed below. To apply: please submit an application in ADP and, in lieu of submitting a cover letter, complete the short questionnaire to emphasize your interests and relevant qualifications. Priority will be given to applications received prior to April 8, 2024.

Ed Trust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.

The responsibilities and objectives for the role may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitor Federal Register for regulatory opportunities, including public comments
• Document and advise on federal grant timelines and contribute to grant program design recommendations for college access and success programs
• Document FOIA request processes and facilitate training/workshop(s) for EdTrust staff
• Coordinate and provide support for in person and virtual/hybrid meetings, events, projects, and partnerships
• Manage documents in SharePoint and contacts in Salesforce
• Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research
• Contribute to desk research, such as analyzing college affordability and success policies and summarizing evaluation research about “what works” in higher education
• Contribute to various communication materials (blogs, one-pagers, case studies, presentations, public statements, etc.)
• Provide technical assistance and support to state and federal officials
• Assist with additional higher ed policy and research tasks as needed

• Shared belief in Ed Trust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity with a focus on racial equity
• Teamwork skills and an eagerness to collaborate
• Strong project management (including time management) skills and attention to detail
• Problem-solving ability and strong analytical thinking skills
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Experience with qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis
• Dedication to contribute to and maintain an equitable working environment
• Willingness to receive and act upon, as well as provide, constructive feedback
• Continuous learner

The ideal candidate will pos sess the following qualifications and experience:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student or 2024 graduate studying economics, political science, public policy or administration, data science, African American studies, Hispanic studies, or a related field
• At least one course in statistics, program evaluation, or research methods
• Experience summarizing technical research and evaluation findings in plain language
• Familiarity with contemporary education policy issues related to making college affordable, increasing student success, and/or holding colleges accountable
• Experience related to college access and success among students of color and students from low-income backgrounds
• Interest in understanding technical details of federal and state policy issues that affect educational opportunities and outcomes

The pay for this role ranges from $18-$19/hr for undergraduate students and recent grads to $20- $29/hr for graduate students and recent grads. We do not negotiate on intern pay in order to maintain equity within our intern pay scale; pay rates for internships are primarily determined based on level of education. Sick leave is accrued in this role.

At The Education Trust, the health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. As such, all Education Trust employees, including interns, are required to be fully vaccinated and remain up to date on their vaccinations for COVID-19. New hires should be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to their first day of work. Requests for accommodations due to medical or religious reasons will be reviewed by Human Resources.

The Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.

To apply : Please complete the application in ADP, including uploading your resume and responding to the short answer questions in lieu of a cover letter.