Are you ready to take your first step into the larger world of American politics and elections? Looking for an internship where you can actually apply what you’ve learned and leave with skills that will be invaluable to any campaign, caucus, or committee? Then the Cygnal internship program is for you!
We’re looking for the best and brightest students and recent grads for well-paid internships at our Washington, D.C., office.
Cygnal, the most accurate private research firm in the country (according to the New York Times and Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight), is a culture-obsessed, team-oriented, fail-and-learn, servant-leader, obsessively-innovative organization. We are passionate about helping our clients get accurate research that is also affordable. While other research firms do the same thing they’ve always done, Cygnal is bringing accuracy and clarity by creating new methodologies, award-winning technologies, and new ways to improve campaign and corporate decision-making.
The Cygnal internship program is an immersive, hands-on learning experience that provides invaluable insight into politics, elections, and campaigns. You’ll work with the entire team to develop research and conduct analysis that helps our clients understand their needs, stakeholders, audiences, and goals, using Cygnal’s innovative multi-mode polling, research, and predictive analytics.
This role is built for someone with excellent written and verbal communication skills. You have developed a persuasive and winsome communication style and you’re great at taking complex concepts and distilling them down to plain English.
No day at Cygnal will look the same as the last, except for the fact that you will give it your all and leave nothing on the field.
Your time will be spent:
- Reviewing (and helping write) draft survey scripts that will answer our clients’ questions
- Reviewing analysis for our clients so they have a clear path forward
- Helping field our surveys using our in-house P2P SMS platform
- Providing quality control checks on our surveys before they go into the field
- Helping manage the development of marketing materials to support our sales team
- Assist in the coordination of projects and facilitating internal communication
The Senior Director of Research and Analysis will coach you in how to develop scripts and analyses that move the needle for our clients, providing accountability and encouragement along the way. During your internship, you’ll learn valuable skills that will fast-track your career in politics, including:
- How polling and market research are conducted
- How to design effective research that uncovers solutions
- How to understand and dissect polling data
- How pollsters help campaigns win races
- How to apply research to solve real-world problems
- Work alongside senior leadership team members in discussions with campaigns and other political and business leaders
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Rising senior or recent graduate in political science, public relations, marketing, data science, or related fields (must reside in the DMV or be willing to relocate temporarily)
- Competent in GSuite products and efficient in email, Slack, and Excel
- Highly accurate work with attention to detail
- Well-developed writing skills with a strong grasp of grammar and mechanics
- Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to learn and adapt rapidly, taking feedback in stride
- Flexibility to work weekends and/or extended hours as needed – politics never sleeps
Internship Details:
- This paid Internship begins May 1, but applications are open now and will continue to be accepted through May 31.
- International students are eligible.
Applicants should send an email with their resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line, “Cygnal Research & Communications Intern”