Research Assistant Internship

The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), is an independent, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization founded to provide local, regional, state, and federal policy-makers with the resources and technical assistance needed to formulate and execute innovative, regional, job-creating economic strategies. Learn more about the intern experience here.

CREC is seeking an intern to assist with our research and consulting activities this Summer 2020. This is a paid internship in Arlington, Virginia, for candidates with an interest in economic development, public policy, research and data science.

Our primary public service goal is to help regions compete.  Through our network of partnerships, we continually work to further regional economic competitiveness in rural and metropolitan communities.  Our work emphasizes the importance of data in evidence-based public policy. CREC conducts research, provides technical assistance, offers expert advice, provides training, and offers leadership to practitioners and policymakers in the economic development, workforce development and higher education fields.

Pay Rate: $15 – $20 per hour, based on experience.

Job responsibilities will include:

  • Help maintain Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) data products including the Cost of Living Index, State Business Incentive Database, and State Economic Development Program Expenditures Database.
  • Perform research and analysis for CREC’s technical assistance programs including literature reviews, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and visualizing data through charts, graphs, and maps for local, regional, state, federal, and philanthropic clients.
  • Create and disseminate web and other media content relevant to economic and workforce development practitioners.
  • Support our work with associations of economic development professionals and public data users.

A successful candidate will:

  • Have or be working toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, or another relevant field. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply;
  • Demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills;
  • Have familiarity with analyzing data, writing policy briefs, memos, or reports;
  • Be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously;
  • Be proficient with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word.

Application Instructions

Summer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit a resume and cover letter to Allison Forbes at aforbes@crec.net.

CREC is an equal opportunity employer.