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our internships

CBO summer internships provide an excellent opportunity for graduate students to participate in CBO's analysis and to observe budget and economic policymaking at close hand. The internships are located in Washington, D.C. and normally last 10 weeks. Unfortunately, CBO does not have sufficient funding to pay interns, so we currently offer a volunteer internship program.

What CBO’s 2013 Interns said about their internship

what are the qualifications?

You should

  • be pursuing a graduate degree in economics, public policy, health policy, finance, or a related field
  • be sponsored by your university, which must indicate that it acknowledges that the internship will be of educational value, although it need not pay you or provide college credit (CBO will provide a form for your university to complete)
  • have solid writing skills and the ability communicate clearly and concisely
  • have exceptional interpersonal and analytical skills
  • be familiar with computer programming, statistics, econometrics, or other quantitative methods


how do I apply?

You can register for internship job alerts to be notified by e-mail when CBO starts taking applications, typically in mid-December for the following summer.


how does CBO select interns?

CBO selects interns on the basis of

  • academic achievement
  • relevance of your academic training to CBO's work
  • relevant work experience.

what do CBO interns do?

In addition to contributing to CBO's analysis in one of CBO's divisions, interns participate in an educational program that includes briefings on the work that we do and the way we do it. CBO's interns also attend seminars, including the Congressional Summer Intern Lecture Series, which has featured former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and journalist Cokie Roberts.


what projects have CBO interns worked on?

Recent CBO interns have contributed to the following cost estimates and publications:

  • Cost Estimate for H.R. 6063, Child Protection Act of 2012
  • Cost Estimate for H.R. 2150, National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act
  • Cost Estimate for H.R. 2072, Securing American Jobs Through Exports Act of 2011
  • Cost Estimate for H.R. 3065, Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
  • Cost Estimate for H.R. 3120, Student Visa Reform Act
  • Taxation of Owner-Occupied and Rental Housing: Working Paper 2012-14
  • Social Security Policy Options
  • The Long-Term Budget Outlook
  • Characteristics and Pay of Federal Civilian Employees


how can I prepare for a CBO internship?

Previous interns describe the following experiences and skills as valuable in preparing for their CBO internships:

  • course work in economics, public finance, public budgeting, microeconomics, econometrics, and public health
  • projects involving SAS (or other statistical programs) and large data sets
  • independent research
  • strong writing skills
  • interest in understanding the federal budget process
  • other policy internships and participation in student government


does CBO accept interns for the fall or spring semesters?

Only occasionally does CBO offer internships during the academic year. You can register to receive internship job alerts in the event that a fall or spring semester opportunity becomes available.

 

For more information, please contact Nancy Fahey at 202-226-2628 or at careers@cbo.gov.

CBO is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. CBO encourages women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

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