Economic Development Intern

Summer Internship Opportunity  

Are you passionate about strengthening regions and communities across the United States?  Join the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) as an intern and put your skills to work where it matters.  

CREC is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 and dedicated to equipping policymakers with data-driven insights to drive regional economic growth. Our mission is to empower communities—rural and metropolitan alike—to develop practical job-creating and growth strategies. CREC’s work spans research, technical assistance, policy advising, network management, and training in economic development, workforce development, and higher education. 

Internship Overview 

CREC is offering a paid internship for Summer 2026 (May– August), in its Arlington, Virginia offices. Candidates must be located, or plan to be located, in the Washington, DC metro area. This role is ideal for Master’s students or recent Bachelors degree graduates interested in economic development, public policy, research, or data science. As an intern, you’ll contribute to research and consulting projects, gaining hands-on experience and practical industry knowledge. 

Commitment: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to support academic responsibilities 

Location: CREC’s Arlington, VA office in Rosslyn 

Pay Rate: $22-25 per hour, based on experience 

Duration: May through August 2026 

Application Deadline: April 15th, 2026 (Applications considered on a rolling basis starting April 1st) 

If you’re eager to apply your analytical skills to real-world challenges and contribute to meaningful economic and workforce development work, we encourage you to apply. 

Job Responsibilities May Include: 

Maintain Key Data Products: Assist with the upkeep of C2ER’s signature databases, including the Cost of Living Index, the State Business Incentives Database, and the State and Local Economic Development Strategies Database (SLEDS). This includes conducting online research, data entry, validation, and analysis. 

Research & Analysis: Conduct research for CREC consulting projects, which may include literature reviews, data analysis, and creating visual reports (charts, graphs, and maps) for diverse clients across government, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. 

Content Development: Develop web and media content for economic and workforce development practitioners, helping to communicate essential information and resources. 

Professional Network Support: Assist in supporting associations of economic development professionals and public data users through targeted research and resources. 

This internship offers hands-on experience with exposure to national-level research and analysis. It’s an excellent opportunity for those passionate about data-driven solutions and advancing economic and workforce development for communities across the country. 

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Public Administration, Urban and Regional Planning, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 

Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to gather and interpret economic data. 

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting reports and presenting findings. 

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. 

Must be based in, or planning to relocate to, the Washington, DC metro area. 

Bonus Skills (Preferred but Not Required): 

Experience with video editing, including cutting, trimming, and adding transitions to produce polished, engaging content. 

Graphic design abilities for creating visually compelling reports and presentations. 

Familiarity with data analysis software such as R, Stata, or Tableau. 

Application Instructions: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a 1–5-page writing sample to tbaines@crec.net