Internships

As an intern in CBO's Health Analysis Division (HAD), I used data from the American Community Survey to analyze take-up rates for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program among different immigrant groups. In the course of my work, I was able to identify meaningful trends in the data. It was energizing to be at CBO while major legislation was moving through the Congress and to witness how various parts of the agency worked together to respond to policymakers' questions in real time. I also enjoyed attending HAD's team meetings, which gave me a deeper appreciation of the breadth and rigor of health policy analysis happening across the agency.

My experience as a summer associate in CBO's Microeconomic Studies Division (MSD) was wonderful. I helped analyze federal investment in physical infrastructure, education, and research and development while improving my skills in data analysis, economics, and coding. My work had a positive effect on the way that CBO uses a variety of federal datasets in its economic analysis. The analysts in MSD cultivated a friendly and welcoming work environment, which made me eager to come to the office every day. I absolutely recommend this experience, and I am excited to apply the advice and skills I learned to the writing of my thesis next year.

As a summer associate in CBO's Labor, Income Security, and Long-Term Analysis Division, I worked on updating the agency's model for estimating immigration status. I mainly focused on refining the criteria that the model uses and on automating the way that data are input. The project deepened my technical skills, immersed me in the complexities of immigration policy, and allowed me to contribute to CBO's mission of providing objective, nonpartisan information to the Congress. Collaborating with such sharp, dedicated colleagues throughout the agency was very rewarding. I am grateful to CBO for a truly enriching internship experience and the lasting professional connections that I made.

As a summer associate at CBO, I worked in the Office of Financial Management and was actively involved in assessing internal business controls, executing budgets, processing invoices, and auditing business operations. Those projects helped me better understand how to make operations more efficient, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and conduct accurate financial reporting. The supportive work environment and the amazing mentorship of staff promoted continuous learning and professional growth. I highly recommend this internship to anyone looking for a better understanding of government accounting and internal auditing in the public sector.

As a summer associate in CBO's National Security Division (NSD), I analyzed the availability and use of aircraft operated by the Coast Guard. The experience helped me hone my skills in data analysis, data visualization, and coding. I also worked on drafting a report of my findings, which helped me improve my presentation and writing skills. Working with the analysts and leaders in NSD was an amazing experience. I received constructive feedback about my work and was made to feel like a valued member of the team. I am grateful for what I learned during my internship and for all the support I received.

While working in CBO's National Security Division, I helped model the costs of sixth-generation fighter, bomber, and collaborative combat aircraft. The results of the modeling are part of broader research on the use and acquisition of next-generation systems. In the course of my work, I applied lessons that I learned in my postgraduate program to collect data, create statistical models, and experiment with different types of modeling. The most interesting aspect of my time with CBO was gaining a fuller sense of the vast amounts of data, expertise, and experience that the agency draws upon for its analysis.

This summer, I worked in CBO's Financial Analysis Division (FAD), where I helped update and document the student loan microsimulation model and further analyze data about borrowers and loans. The projects were fascinating, and I learned new technical skills and gained insight into the legislative process. Working so close to Capitol Hill during the reconciliation process was exciting and provided a great learning experience—as did CBO's staff, who were always welcoming and willing to teach me. I am very grateful to everyone in FAD for facilitating my internship experience.

As a spring and summer intern in CBO's Budget Analysis Division, I helped the agency provide cost estimates and technical assistance to the Congress. The work touched on several areas of the federal budget—natural resources, health programs, and unemployment insurance, for example—and deepened my analytical skills and knowledge of the budget process. There are few institutions whose research and analysis are as immediately impactful—to policymakers, academics, and the public alike—as that of CBO. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have learned from such outstanding colleagues and to have contributed to the important work of the agency.

This summer, I worked in CBO's Health Analysis Division (HAD), where I focused on the effects of public and private spending on drug development. I helped assess evidence and evaluate estimates to account for potential biases, and I experimented with different modeling specifications. Seeing firsthand how published academic work can meaningfully influence assessments of potential policy changes was exciting. The intellectual environment in HAD felt like an extension of graduate school with the added benefit of being surrounded by seasoned health economists who specialize in a particular policy domain. Working with people whose papers I have read, and learning their views on the research literature, was fantastic. I also appreciate the deeply collaborative nature of the work.