Program Operations and Analytics Intern

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

Overview

Cato's Student Programs team identifies, develops, and supports the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and advocates for individual liberty—overseeing the institute's main educational initiatives, including the Internship Program, the Research Associate Program, Cato University, Cato Courses, and Cato Student Briefings. 

Interns work across various teams, engaging in data analysis, strategy planning, educational content development, programming support, and outreach and communications. The role combines data analysis, content creation, and audience interaction.

Responsibilities

• Analyze intern, alumni, and program data using Excel and Salesforce reporting tools; create reports and dashboards to support recommendations for programming and talent development strategies.
• Maintain and enhance Salesforce data accuracy by managing lists, updating records, segmenting data, and documenting reports.
• Support audience segmentation and outreach campaign analysis — including basic cohort and performance assessment — to guide targeting, messaging, and channel strategies for student and early-career audiences.
• Review, edit, and improve educational content for Cato Courses and other programming, including scripts, quiz materials, and voice assets.
• Support outreach campaigns, develop events and programs, and launch pilot initiatives targeting students and young professionals within university and partner networks.
• Draft clear internal briefs and memos that translate data findings and project results into actionable recommendations for the team.
• Contribute to special projects as assigned, including historical research, anniversary initiatives, social media strategy, and cross-team coordination.

Required Qualifications

• Genuine enthusiasm for sharing Cato's ideas, programs, and opportunities with students and young professionals; familiarity with libertarian and classical-liberal thought, along with a demonstrated alignment with Cato's core principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for managing large, complex relational datasets — including filters, XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH, PivotTables, and clear charting.
• Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM for reporting, list management, and basic segmentation; comfortable learning new tools and workflows.
• Strong writing and communication skills — capable of transforming data insights and project work into clear, concise takeaways for both internal and public audiences.
• Professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail — the work spans data, content, and communications and requires accuracy and consistent follow-through across all three.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Salesforce reporting and dashboard development, or familiarity with marketing automation tools.
• Python or R for data cleaning, merging, basic analysis, and visualization.
• Previous experience in content development, educational programming, marketing, or communications—including drafting for public or student audiences.
• Background in talent strategy, recruitment operations, or project management within an educational or nonprofit environment.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.