Spring 2026, Labor Markets & Workforce Development Internship, Brookings Metro (Job ID 2026-3725)

Overview

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills. 

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution. 

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, graduate students pursuing a masters degree, and recent graduates (individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year) with an interest in research and policy work on labor markets and workforce development. Interns will apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 20 - 30 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

Position Location: This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship. 

Responsibilities

Brookings Metro's Helping Communities Make the Most of Historic Public Investment Initiative

Interns will work alongside Metro scholars, assisting with research and writing tasks, helping to organize meetings and develop presentations, and gathering information from literature, data sets, and local and state practitioners and incorporating it into blog posts, reports, or briefs.

Interns will apply skills relevant to economic analysis, labor market studies, and policy analysis to explore how state and local leaders can leverage federal infrastructure and clean energy investments to create stronger and more inclusive career pathways to good jobs.  

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, graduate students pursuing a masters degree, and recent graduates (individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year)  with an interest in labor market strategies to promote economic opportunity, particularly for young adults, people of color, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Excellent research and writing skills; experience with data management and visualization, preferably with Excel and PowerPoint; and interest/experience in state/local policy and program design.

Additional Information: 

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.  

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.   

Please note: Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2025. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted. 

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).  

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.