Strategic Priorities, Emerging Talent Intern

Job Description

Strategic Priorities, Emerging Talent Intern | Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The Tone:
This is a Seasonal internship at Metropolitan Transportation Authority, located onsite in Jamaica, NY. The MTA operates the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), a critical transportation service supporting the region. This role is essential for supporting executive leadership in advancing high-impact initiatives across the LIRR to improve operational effectiveness, financial efficiency, and service quality. You will contribute to data-driven initiatives, translating complex data into clear insights for leadership.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Seasonal, Fall
• Location: In-person, Jamaica, NY
• Pay: $19–$21 hourly
• Team: Strategic Priorities team within the Office of the President, supporting executive leadership.
• 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 transportation operations.
• Tech Stack: SQL, Excel, Microsoft Office Suite

What You’ll Actually Do
• Data Analysis: Extract, clean, and organize data from internal reports and databases to conduct analyses regarding operational priorities of the Rail Road.
• Reporting & Presentation: Develop clear charts, tables, and summary slides for leadership materials, drafting short analytical summaries that explain key findings and implications.
• Strategic Research: Conduct benchmarking research on peer commuter railroads and analyze external trends or data to suggest potential improvement opportunities for the Rail Road.
• Project Coordination: Own the management of internal processes, requiring coordination across teams for various priority projects.
• Performance Tracking: Support the maintenance of performance dashboards or tracking spreadsheets and respond to ad hoc data requests from team members.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level. Matriculated in an undergraduate program with at least a 2.5 GPA or a graduate program with at least a 2.8 GPA. Major in 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: Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with a keen eye for detail. Ability to work independently while being an active team player, work well under pressure, and prioritize tasks effectively. Familiarity with SQL and Excel for data analysis.