Strategic Priorities, Emerging Talent Intern – Strategic Priorities

Job Description

Strategic Priorities, Emerging Talent Intern | Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Tone:
This is an onsite internship at Metropolitan Transportation Authority, located in Jamaica, NY. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, specifically the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), operates a vital public transportation network. This role is crucial for supporting executive leadership in driving high-impact initiatives aimed at enhancing LIRR’s operational effectiveness, financial efficiency, and service quality through data-driven insights and strategic analysis.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Location: In-person, Jamaica, NY
• Pay: $19–$21 hourly
• Team: Office of the President, reporting to the Strategic Priorities team.
• Mission: Contribute to data-driven initiatives by analyzing operational and ridership data, supporting performance reporting, and assisting in the coordination of priority projects to improve LIRR operations.
• Tech Stack: SQL, Excel, Microsoft Office Suite

What You’ll Actually Do
• Data Analysis & Insights: Extract, clean, and organize data from internal reports and databases, then conduct analyses using SQL, Excel, or similar tools to generate clear insights.
• Leadership Reporting & Presentation: Develop comprehensive charts, tables, and summary slides for leadership materials, including drafting short analytical summaries that explain key findings and their implications.
• Performance Tracking & Monitoring: Support the maintenance of performance dashboards or tracking spreadsheets and assist with performance analysis of an operational priority for the Rail Road.
• Strategic Research & Recommendations: Conduct benchmarking research on peer commuter railroads, summarize key takeaways, and analyze external trends or data to suggest potential improvement opportunities for the Rail Road.
• Project Coordination & Support: Participate in cross-functional meetings, track follow-ups, manage internal processes requiring coordination across teams, and respond to ad hoc data requests from team members.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Matriculated in an undergraduate program in good standing with at least a 2.5 GPA, OR matriculated in a graduate program in good standing with at least a 2.8 GPA. Major(s) Preferred: Data / Data Analysis, Statistics, Operations Research, Business Analytics, Transportation Planning, Business Management, or a related field.
• Experience: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is a must.
• Skills: Organizational, analytical, and communication skills; ability to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively; a keen eye for detail; ability to work independently while being an active team player.