Internships

The Zimpleman College of Business offers many tools to help students find—and obtain—internships and jobs, including a dedicated career counselor within Zimpleman who can help with résumé-building and interviewing skills. Internships are an essential component of professional development for business students. Many students complete at least two internships before graduation. The goal of an internship is for students to obtain real-world experience, applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom, with many requiring math, statistics, and/or computer skills and economics coursework.

PART-TIME INTERNSHIPS: Students interested in local internships are encouraged to work with the Zimpleman College of Business Career Services and to look for job postings on Handshake.

SEMESTER-LONG INTERNSHIPS: Students interested in a full-time internship during the school year should consider the Economic Policy Semester, part of the Washington Semester Program operated by American University. This program includes options for coursework and internships in private organizations and government agencies in Washington, D.C. Drake is affiliated with this program. Application materials may be obtained from the Career Services offices.

SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: Students interested in a career in economics should consider an internship at a Federal Reserve District Bank, such as those in Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and St. Louis.

Students able to spend a summer in Washington, D.C. should investigate internships at federal agencies that employ economists, such as the following.

• Federal Reserve Board of Governors
• Congressional Budget Office
• White House Office of Management and Budget
• Treasury Department
• Labor Department

Economics-oriented nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C., such as the following also offer summer internships for economics majors.

• Resources for the Future (environmental and natural resource issues)
• Urban Institute (employment, welfare, and social programs)
• American Enterprise Institute (general economic policy)
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (general economic policy)

Students are encouraged to explore the websites of other government agencies to find internship opportunities. Additionally, the professional staff in the Zimpleman College of Business Career Services Center, can help students and alumni advance their careers and find job openings.