Internship Description
The Sorenson Impact Institute is seeking students to work with the Impact Strategy team on a range of unique, impactful projects. This position is tailored to students interested in social issues and public policy who will have the opportunity to work on a variety of government, foundation, and nonprofit consulting projects. Our student interns receive exposure to the most innovative tools being used to address social issues today, including Pay for Success projects, data-driven decision making, and performance-based contracting. Issue areas may include homelessness, criminal recidivism, public health, early childhood education, higher education, environmental preservation, economic development, and more. Student interns have the opportunity to engage with real-world clients while building their skills and portfolio. We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our team that thrive working in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. Please watch this short video to learn more about what we do.
Responsibilities
- Communicate in a professional and efficient manner with data stewards, clients, agency managers, and others
- Represent the center in a courteous and professional manner
- Manage and prioritize projects to ensure they keep moving forward
- Critical thinking is required in every aspect of the work we do
- Issue area research including literature reviews and landscape scans
- Identifying solutions and/or research methods
- Summarizing findings and drawing conclusions
- Project management
- Innovative and collaborative problem solving
Requirements
- Be proactive, innovative, and resourceful
- Demonstrate a “solutions-oriented” problem solver mentality
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with literature reviews and data gathering welcome but not required
- Data/statistical analysis and programming welcome but not required
- Proven analytical skills, detail-oriented, proactive and self-motivated
- Proficiency in R welcome but not required
- Capable of working with a team to complete projects on a timeline and with ambiguous project guidelines
- Educational or vocational experience in one of the above issue areas preferred
- Previous experience working with clients preferred
- Proficient Excel skills preferred
- Students must commit to working 20 hours per week for a minimum of two semesters
About the Sorenson Impact Center
The Sorenson Impact Institute with the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah envisions a thriving world where all people are valued, communities prosper, and the measured impact of our actions guides decision making. The Institute advances global impact through innovation in impact investing and finance, public policy and government spending, and corporate and social sector behavior with organizations across the globe, and utilizes world-class data science, impact storytelling and collaboration as key tools. As part of its mission to train future impact leaders, the Institute integrates academic programming and experiential learning into each of its practice areas.
Notes
* The dynamic nature of work means the student experience becomes more valuable with deeper levels of engagement. To facilitate this experience, students are expected to commit to working 20 hours per week for a minimum of two semesters (continuation beyond the first semester is dependent upon meeting the appropriate level of performance).
** The Sorenson Impact Institute strongly encourages diverse applicants, especially those who self-identify as Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, non-binary, living with disabilities, neurodivergent, young, speak English as a second language, and others from overlooked / underestimated communities.
*** Due to legal restrictions regarding student employment under certain Visa statuses, Sorenson Impact can not guarantee our ability to pay international students. For international students potentially selected, we commit to working with you and your institution to determine our ability to adequately compensate you for your time and energy. Please reach out with any questions.