Gueron Scholars Program Paid Summer Internship

Job Description

About Company

MDRC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social policy research organization that designs and evaluates programs focused on current social policy issues. Teaming up with The Policy Academies, MDRC offers professional opportunities and conducts research, evaluation, and technical assistance in various policy areas, including education, housing, criminal justice, youth development, and economic mobility, among others. The organization is dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, believing that a diverse workforce improves the quality and relevance of its research and the daily experiences of its staff. MDRC fosters an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, aiming for an environment where staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged. It is also an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Job Description

This brief describes the Gueron Scholars Program’s paid summer internship at MDRC, designed for rising undergraduate seniors.

Program Overview:
The internship aims to provide professional opportunities for rising seniors to gain “hands-on” exposure to social policy research, understand employment options beyond academia and the public sector, and benefit from guidance and support from MDRC’s staff. It is open to all interested rising seniors who are curious about social programs, policies, research, and how program evaluations inform social policy, or who are considering graduate education or a career in social policy.

Position Title: Gueron Scholars Program Paid Summer Internship
Target Audience: Rising undergraduate seniors (on track to be a college senior in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027).
Location: New York City office (required to work five days a week in the office).
Duration: Eight weeks, starting June 2026 through mid-August 2026.
Compensation: $18.00 per hour, 35 hours per week.
Available Slots: Up to two.

Key Responsibilities and Activities:
Interns will be exposed to multidisciplinary teams and engage in assigned hands-on tasks within one or more of MDRC’s specialized units:
• Economic Mobility, Housing, and Communities Policy Area
• Family Well-Being and Children’s Development Policy Area
• K-12 Education Policy Area
• Postsecondary Education Policy Area
• Youth Development, Criminal Justice, and Employment Policy Area
• Center for Applied Behavioral Science
• Center for Data Insights
• Data Collection Unit

Interns will be matched with project staff, including near-peer MDRC team members, who will serve as primary points of contact and provide support.

Field Exposure and Skill Building Opportunities:
The internship offers a comprehensive learning experience through:
• Learning Contemporary Practices: Gaining knowledge of current social and educational programs, policies, and research practices through hands-on assignments, shadowing, seminars, training, field visits, peer-to-peer learning, and weekly reflections.
• Professional Mentorship: Working with MDRC experts in various policy areas.
• Exploring Data Innovation: Understanding how data science and artificial intelligence influence research, program improvement, and interventions.
• Networking: Connecting with MDRC staff to discuss career paths and meeting external guest speakers who are national figures in social policy.
• Professional Development: Participating in activities that enhance communication skills (written assignments, oral presentations), help set professional goals, and receiving resume coaching from MDRC’s People and Culture department.

Qualifications:
Candidates should possess:
• Academic standing: Must be in good standing academically and on track to be a college senior in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
• Interest in social policy: Evidenced by coursework in criminal justice, economics, education policy, political science, psychology, public administration, social policy, sociology, or related fields. Internship or extracurricular experience in social policy is a plus.
• Research interest: Interest in learning how MDRC designs and conducts social science research.
• Research methods: Basic understanding of qualitative or quantitative research methods or data science.
• Workplace skills: Ability to self-motivate, manage multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail, and work comfortably in a team-oriented, fast-paced professional environment.
• Technical aptitude: Comfort with and interest in learning new business software and technology.
• Collaboration: Comfort collaborating professionally in a hybrid workplace.
• Growth mindset: Commitment to learning and continuous improvement.
• Communication skills: Strong oral and written communication skills.

Application Process:
• Deadline: Monday, January 12, 2026, by 11:59 pm (ET).
• Required Materials:
• A résumé detailing relevant academic and work experience.
• A personal statement (up to two single-spaced pages) addressing:
1. Specific interest in social policy issues and research.
2. Immediate career interests and goals after college.
3. How this internship, combined with academic pursuits and/or prior experiences, will contribute to professional growth.
4. How background, academic studies, and life experience impact professional pursuits and make the applicant a strong candidate. (Must explicitly address these four points in detail).
• Applicants seeking academic credit must state this in their personal statement.
• A copy of unofficial college transcript(s) documenting good academic standing and registered student status.
• Names, email addresses, phone numbers of two academic or professional references.
• Incomplete applications will be removed from consideration.
• Interviews: Conducted via video conferencing for selected candidates.
• Contact for Questions: HRQuestions@mdrc.org.

Important Notes:
• Interns are required to participate for the full 8 weeks.
• The position may require minimal local travel for site visits and professional networking.
• MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Legal work authorization is required.
• To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.