The Public Policy Lab Graduate Internship 2025 | Design Public Services

The Public Policy Lab Graduate Internship Program Summer 2025: Empowering Students to Shape Public Services

The Public Policy Lab (PPL) is offering an exciting opportunity for graduate students to become part of their impactful summer internship program for 2025. The program is designed for current and recent graduate students who are available to work in New York City during the summer months. With a submission deadline of May 1, 2025, this internship allows students to gain invaluable professional experience by actively contributing to PPL’s projects and applying classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

Internship Overview

Interns will play a vital role in all stages of PPL’s projects, from ethnographic research to prototyping and implementation. They will contribute to various activities, including communications, event planning, and project development, with opportunities to assist in collaborations with government agencies and community partners. Past interns have worked on projects that improved services for homeless New Yorkers, enhanced mental health services for families, and helped make healthcare offerings more inclusive for digitally underserved communities.

Responsibilities and Roles

Interns at PPL are expected to actively engage in various aspects of the organization's work, such as:

Design Research: Managing fieldwork, conducting semi-structured interviews, recruiting participants, and writing discussion guides.
Visual Design: Mapping systems, creating design stimuli, co-designing prototypes, and visualizing findings and recommendations.

Through these tasks, interns will develop their skills in both research and design while directly contributing to the organization's goals of improving public services and policy.

About The Public Policy Lab

PPL is dedicated to enhancing public services for disadvantaged communities in the U.S., working with government agencies and using methodologies from design, technology, and social science. The organization is not an advocacy group but works within systems to bring about systemic change. PPL operates in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is committed to delivering top-tier work that impacts real lives, including those grappling with poverty, ill-health, or violence.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants should be motivated graduate students who have an interest in improving public services. The internship is open to individuals from various academic backgrounds, including communication design, service design, urban planning, and public health. Prior experience in the public sector or with a government body is a plus, but not required. Interns should have strong communication skills, the ability to think critically, and a passion for human-centered design.

PPL is particularly eager to diversify its team and encourages applications from individuals with experience in non-English languages spoken in New York City, or those from underrepresented backgrounds, such as LGBTQIA+, immigrant, or justice-system-involved individuals.

Benefits of the Internship

Social Impact: Interns contribute to meaningful changes in public services, impacting millions of Americans.
Skill Development and Mentorship: Interns gain practical experience in design research, service design, and working in collaboration with leaders in government and the public sector.
Networking: Exposure to professionals across the public, private, and social sectors, and joining an international community of fellows.
Compensation: The internship is paid, with a rate of $31 per hour. Opportunities to extend the internship may be available upon completion.

Internship Requirements

Availability in New York City and ability to work up to 32 hours a week from early June to mid-August 2025.
Proficiency in research, business management, strategy, visual design, or communication.
Ability to work with government or community organizations and a passion for working with diverse populations.

Application deadline

The application deadline is May 1, 2025, and selected applicants will be contacted for a Zoom interview. Applicants should submit their materials by the deadline, as late applications will not be considered. To apply, visit the Public Policy Lab website and follow the application instructions provided.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply