Intern Placement
As we read each application, we do our best to match the research interests and career goals of our top applicants to the needs of the various departments at Cato.
While all interns share daily intern duties, help staff Cato events, and attend the same series of research seminars and career development workshops, each intern’s workload varies by department assignment. The following job descriptions should help applicants decide which Cato departments might be best for them.
Cato.ru Intern
Workload
- translate articles and essays for publication on the web
- Russian-language media anaysis
- regional studies research
Qualifications
- knowledge of basic economic principles
- fluency in Russian and English
- dedicated interest in international relations
Center for Bioethics Intern
Workload
- track pending state and federal legislation
- analyze scientific studies and their funding sources
- help prepare articles for publication
Qualifications
- familiarity with LexisNexis searches
- interest in bioethics
- legal research experience
- JD candidates preferred
Center for Constitutional Studies Intern
Workload
- conduct literature reviews
- draft memos and legal briefs
- bluebook articles for publication
- attend and report on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences
Qualifications
- strong research and writing skills
- dedicated interested in Constitutional law
- legal research experience
- JD candidates preferred
Center for Global Liberty & Prosperity Intern
Workload
- gather data for various industries and regions
- frequent fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, studies, and blog posts
- attend and report on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences
Qualifications
- strong economic background
- dedicated interest in development policy
- strong research and writing skills
- proficiency in Excel spreadsheets and graph making
- familiarity with World Bank Development Indicators Database
Center for Trade Policy Studies Intern
Workload
- prepare daily trade news briefing for scholars
- gather and analyze market data for various industries and regions
- update content for FreeTrade.org
- attend and report on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences
Qualifications
- strong economic background
- familiarity with trade organizations and policy
- dedicated interest in trade and immigration issues
- strong writing skills
Criminal Justice Intern
Workload
- conduct literature reviews
- frequent fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, studies, and blog posts
- attend and report on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences
Qualifications
- strong research and writing skills
- dedicated interested in criminal justice
- legal research experience
- JD candidates preferred
elCato.org Intern
Workload
- conduct literature reviews
- frequent fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, studies, and blog posts
- attend and report on Hill briefings and other relevant panels and conferences
Qualifications
- strong research and writing skills
- dedicated interested in criminal justice
- legal research experience
Fiscal, Budget & Tax Policy Intern
Workload
- frequent fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, studies, and blog posts
- track pending state and federal legislation
- data collection for comparative studies of policies across states and countries
- write up background research on issues of interest to scholars
Qualifications
- strong economic background
- proficiency in Excel
- interest in budget and tax policy
Foreign & Defense Policy Intern
Workload
- research projects range from tracking opium trade and chronicling insurgency movements, to cataloging unrecognized states and summarizing Al-Qaeda press releases
- attend hill briefings and panels at other think tanks
- compile foreign & defense policy news articles and op-eds
Qualifications
- strong research and writing skills
- dedicated interest in foreign & defense policy
- graduate students (in any discipline) preferred
Government Affairs Intern
Workload
- manage electronic distribution of Cato publications and daily e-mail communications to Capitol Hill staff
- staff Hill briefings and other Cato events
- make deliveries to congressional offices
- track pending legislation of interest to Cato scholars
Qualifications
- exceptional communication skills
- proficiency with computers and standard software
- dedicated interest in the political process
Health and Welfare Intern
Workload
- frequent fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, papers, and blog posts
- track pending state and federal legislation
- data collection for comparative studies of policies across states and countries
Qualifications
- strong economic background
- proficiency in Excel
- interest in social security, welfare reform, and other entitlement programs
Lamp of Liberty Intern
Workload
- translate articles and essays for publication on the web
- Arabic-language media anaysis
- regional studies research
Qualifications
- knowledge of basic economic principles
- fluency in Arabic and English
- dedicated interest in international relations
Marketing Intern
Workload
- assist in development and management of marketing initiatives that promote publications and events, while increasing organizational visibility and brand awareness
- identify potential audiences and promotions for Cato products and services
- create and managing email communications and contact lists of target audiences
Qualifications
- exceptional communication skills
- proficiency with computers and standard software
- dedicated interest in marketing
Media Intern
Workload
- attend daily media department meetings
- prepare daily summaries of Cato citations and media appearances
- track newsworthy topics for Cato scholars to comment on
- draft pitch notes and press releases
Qualifications
- excellent writing skills
- attention to detail
- ability to meet deadlines
- dedicated interest in media, public relations, and public policy
Web Content Intern
Workload
- monitor media and organization websites
- identify interesting content relevant to students
- compose article summaries and organization descriptions
- work with editor to organize web content
- attend student events
- find creative and innovative ways to improve Cato's premier student website, Cato on Campus
Qualifications
- proficiency with computers and standard software
- excellent writing skills
- ability to meet deadlines
- attention to detail
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