The Minnesota Department of Human Services has paid internship opportunities for college students to explore a rewarding career in public service. Our agency helps provide essential services to Minnesota’s most vulnerable residents. Working with many groups and people to ensure that Minnesota seniors, people with disabilities, children and others meet their basic needs and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The Executive Pathways Internship Program focuses on a diverse workforce by developing the talents of students as they prepare for professional employment. Graduate and undergraduate students majoring in public policy, statistics, psychology, social work, law, public health, sociology and other human services-related fields are encouraged to apply and have the opportunity to learn how public policy is developed and implemented in a large and complex government organization.

Through this internship program, students have the chance to be part of many well-publicized and highly visible policy decisions that impact Minnesotans’ quality of life.

Each placement is designed to provide in-depth learning opportunities in a state government setting. The Executive Pathways Internship Program is a paid internship program and students will work 30 to 40 hours per week between June to August. Due to the pandemic, all internship positions will be remote.

Data & Analytics Intern

Operations – Office of Inspector General, Data and Analytics Office

The Executive Pathways intern will work with Office of Inspector General (OIG) Data and Analytics Office Leadership, OIG Executive Leadership, and OIG data analysts to find and implement opportunities for policy and program development using data. The intern will evaluate and manipulate data to identify trends and recommend policies and procedures to increase transparency, program integrity, and accountability within DHS-licensed and publicly funded programs. General duties will include data analysis, data visualization, and report writing. Internally, the intern can expect to interact with the four divisions within the Office of Inspector General, other DHS data professionals, and policy areas across the Department of Human Services. Externally, the intern may interact with state and county agencies, license holders, stakeholders, and other data and analytic professionals by attending data analytics professional development events and user groups.

Preferred Educational Qualifications: Current Undergraduate or Graduate level student

Desired Skills: Analytic and evaluative techniques, how data can be used to inform policy recommendations, objectives, and strategic planning initiatives, Microsoft Office products including: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, conducting data analysis, technical and non-technical report writing and oral presentation of analysis and research results, advanced writing ability to compose letters, reports and memos using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and composition, attentiveness to detail and the ability to work with minimal supervision, effective listening sufficient to elicit opinions, ideas, and support team relationships.

Eligibility and requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a sophomore, junior or senior in an associate’s, bachelors or undergraduate program or be in a graduate program. We also accept students who have graduated from their program within the last year (ex: if you graduated May 2020, you are still eligible to apply for the program in Summer 2021)
• Be in good academic standing and be able to provide proof of current educational enrollment
• Have the ability to work in the United States
• Be available to work (remotely) 30-40 hours per week between June 14 to Aug. 30, 2021
• Be willing to submit to a background check prior to starting internship.