Education Trust
The Education Trust
2010 Summer Internship Program
About The Education Trust
The Education Trust promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels—pre-kindergarten through college. We work alongside parents, educators, policymakers, and community and business leaders across the country in transforming schools and colleges into institutions that serve all students well. Lessons learned in these efforts, together with unflinching data analyses, shape our state and national policy agendas. Our goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that consign far too many young people—especially those who are black, Latino, American Indian, or from low-income families—to lives on the margin of the American mainstream. For additional information on The Education Trust, please visit www.edtrust.org.
Internship Program
The Education Trust internship program is for individuals who believe that all students can achieve at high levels and who want to work as part of a team committed to that goal. The program is designed for undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students who are capable of doing staff-level work under minimal supervision. Interns are treated as members of the staff and are expected to perform a wide variety of tasks.
Interns work closely with designated Education Trust staff to develop and execute projects that will advance the organization’s agenda. This allows interns to broaden their professional skills and experiences. Assigned projects are based on the intern’s qualifications and interests as well as the needs of the organization. Currently, we are seeking interns for the following areas:
Communications Intern
Assignments may include the following:
• Assist with the development of a new-media database;
• Track and evaluate media coverage of education issues, including monitoring daily blogs and press coverage;
• Compile and organize daily press clips, including Michigan clips;
• Compose "Ed Trust in the News" communications, including logging and uploading details to Cision and distributing via e-mail to all staff;
• Research and compile briefing materials for interview preparation;
• Evaluate reporter targets; and
• Research and assist in writing briefs.
We are particularly interested in candidates with the following skills:
• Experience working in public relations and/or communications;
• Strong analytical and organizational skills; and
• Knowledge of communications management platforms (Vocus, Cision, Nexis) is a plus.
Higher Education Intern
Assignments may include the following:
• Data entry and downloading and cleaning data in preparation for the next College Results Online update;
• Data checking and background research to prepare for the College Results Online briefs; and
• Conduct background research to assist in the development of a new state report card series on higher education equity indicators and a report card on institutional equity measures that will be incorporated into College Results Online.
We are particularly interested in candidates with the following skills or background:
• Graduate student preferred;
• Proficient in MS Excel, experience with SAS or SPSS a plus;
• Degree related to education policy or research or related social science fields; and
• Strong writing skills.
Legislative Affairs Intern
Assignments may include the following:
• Legislative tracking and monitoring;
• Digesting and drafting summaries of legislation and other proposals;
• Reviewing trends in state legislative activity; and
• Assisting with preparation for meetings on the Hill and before the Department of Education.
We are particularly interested in candidates with the following skills or background:
• Strong critical thinker and writer;
• Ability to work well in a time-sensitive environment; and
• Prior experience on Capitol Hill or in a state legislature.
Research Intern
Assignments may include the following:
• Prepare literature reviews summarizing the research on strategies schools use to improve student achievement for poor and minority students;
• Research and identify data relevant to ESEA reauthorization and in regard to current K-12 policy initiatives;
• Develop interviews, surveys, or focus-group protocols for the collection of data from educators and students in successful schools;
• Analyze data from secondary data sources about students’ course taking in high school, aspirations for the future, and achievement to document gaps in opportunity; and
• Research the relationship between students’ preparation, access, and choice to different colleges.
Of particular interest:
• Studies in psychology or educational research;
• Experience manipulating and analyzing data;
• Knowledge of NCES data sets;
• Background in statistical analysis (SPSS or SAS);
• Interest in the integration of research, policy, and practice; and
• Graduate student preferred.
Qualifications and Experience:
All applicants should posses the following qualifications:
• Knowledge of education policy and/or practice;
• Self-motivation and ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
• Eagerness to learn;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; and
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Application Process
Applications should include the following:
• Resume;
• Cover letter (this must include availability and specific area of interest, as listed above);
• Writing sample (no more than five pages; sections from a longer paper are fine);
• Please indicate the position you are seeking in the subject line of your e-mail (example: Intern, Higher Education)
Please send applications to intern2010summer@edtrust.org, attention: HR, Intern Summer 2010.
The Education Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.
