Summer Intern, XQ Institute: Operations & Data

3 days ago
Internship
In-person · Oakland, CA, US... more
Overview 
Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility, working to create a world of abundance for future generations. 
 
As with the whole of Emerson Collective, what matters most is that we work with people who are not only the very best at what they do, but also the kindest.

Emerson Collective Internship Program
Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places college-aged students in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our affiliate partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED.

Candidates can apply to a maximum of three positions. Any additional applications will not be considered.

The Opportunity
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life. 

We are seeking an Operations and Data intern to support several initiatives across the Operations team. The Operations team is a core component of XQ's mission. As one of four key teams (alongside Product, MarComms, and Schools & Systems), we're dedicated to moving XQ’s mission forward by magnifying the impact of all XQ teams through increased efficiency and impact. This intern will assist in developing data strategies, cleaning and analyzing data, supporting cross-functional projects, creating data-backed content, and managing project documentation to drive strategic initiatives at XQ.


Role and Responsibilities

  • Assist in Data Strategy Development: Collaborate with the Operations team to support the development of an integrated data strategy, enabling efficient data collection, storage, and accessibility across various XQ departments, including Schools and Systems, Marcomms, and Products and Tools.
  • Data Cleaning and Analysis: Perform data cleaning, validation, and analysis to ensure accuracy and consistency across data sources. Provide insights to support XQ’s initiatives to enhance the high school experience nationwide.
  • Leverage Machine Learning for Data Efficiency: Work on implementing and testing machine learning models to optimize data collection and analysis, contributing to the creation of a “single source of truth” within the organization.
  • Salesforce Data Integration: Collaborate on projects involving the integration of various data types (policy, Marcomms, and product data) into Salesforce, helping establish it as the organization’s primary database for community data.
  • Research and Policy Analysis: Conduct research on education policy and community trends to support data-driven decisions for XQ’s mission, providing relevant insights for program and strategy development.
  • Collaborate on Cross-Functional Projects: Work with interns and teams across XQ to support cross-functional projects and initiatives, gaining exposure to multiple facets of XQ’s work and fostering teamwork and communication skills.
  • Content Creation Support: Assist in generating data-backed content for social media and internal reports, enhancing engagement with XQ’s community and stakeholders through visualized insights and compelling data narratives.
  • Project Management and Documentation: Aid in managing project timelines, documentation, and deliverables to ensure data projects align with XQ’s strategic goals and are completed efficiently and effectively.

Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements

  • Rising undergraduate rising junior, senior, or recent graduate, preferably in a quantitative, analytical, or data-focused field.
  • Familiarity with data analysis tools and techniques, with a strong foundation in statistics.
  • Proficiency in Python or R for data analysis; SQL for database management.
  • Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Python libraries like Matplotlib or Seaborn.
  • Basic understanding of machine learning concepts and some hands-on experience with related projects preferred but not required.
  • Exposure to Salesforce or other CRM systems is a plus.
  • Has a strong interest in education issues, policy, and creating impact through data.
  • Can work independently and has agency.
  • Able to navigate Google Suite​​Strong written and verbal communication skills, strategic thinking, attention to detail, and comfort in a fast-paced environment.
  • A proven background in a dynamic and evolving work environment.
  • Strong intuition and incredibly perceptive.
  • Operate with care, kindness, and a spirit of generosity.
  • Excited by working in an environment where any idea is possible and is driven to help execute to make those ideas happen.

Location 
Emerson Collective is a Bay Area-based organization with offices in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. This position is located in Oakland, CA, and is onsite 40 hours/week between June 9th and August 1st, 2025. 

Key Dates
November 18 - January 10: Internship applications accepted, and interviews commence on a rolling basis. Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.
January 10 - March 7: Interviews continue, and offers are extended.
June 9: Internship program begins.
August 1: Internship program concludes.

Compensation
All EC Interns are paid $25/hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 9th to August 1st (eight weeks). Interns may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.

This position requires being up to date on COVID vaccination consistent with current CDC guidelines, subject to documented religious and/or medical exemptions.

Building a diverse and inclusive workforce is key to our mission and values as we strive to create systemic change and open possibilities for all of the communities we serve. To that end, we provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.