If nothing else, the summer of 2004 proved this much: there probably couldn’t be a better time to have been an intern at a busy think tank in the middle of Boston. While the city was hosting its first-ever political convention amid controversy and labor strife, BHI’s diverse team of interns found itself in the middle of the learning experience of a lifetime.

In July, BHI drew a steady stream of press attention to its studies on the economic costs and benefits of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. As the political and media world streamed into the city, interns were busy pulling together the survey information and analysis that would find its way into the pages of the New York Times, the Financial Times, the Boston Globe and on the airwaves of ABC World News Tonight and numerous other media outlets. They saw first-hand how stories are developed and promoted and how BHI staff handle press interviews.

Kate Allen, a senior from the University of Pennsylvania, was a key player in the coverage. Along with other interns, Allen set out to interview local businesses on expectations for the DNC. She was pleasantly surprised when her research became part of the big summer story: the loss of local business.
“What surprised me most was the level of publicity BHI was getting for its studies,” noted Allen who commuted each workday from Auburn. “Each day, in the streets and on the train, I would hear people commenting about the DNC’s projected effects on the economy. It’s exciting to be doing research on a topic that everyone is talking about and that even has a national audience.”

Lisa Trebino, a senior at Middlebury College, who spent several afternoons collecting data also says a BHI internship is a great introduction into the working world. “At the start of the summer, I did not really know what to expect,” said the economics major. “Since then, I have been asked to complete many interesting tasks. I spent a couple of days surveying local restaurants on the effects of the Democratic National Convention. I have even gone through data on my own to try and determine some relationships.” Trebino conducted an analysis of national income and budget deficits for NewsLink. (See page 6.)

Since its inception, the BHI internship program has confidently assigned serious work to interns who are encouraged to offer their own perspective to the project.

“Working as an intern in BHI is not just about faxing, printing, and filing,” remarks Anish Pradhan, a senior studying economics at St. Anselm College. “From the very beginning, I was trusted and given the freedom that developed my confidence and gave me a chance to use my creativity. The BHI staff actually makes you an integral part of their team. You feel your responsibility and constantly want to do well.” Pradhan, a native of Nepal, was given the task of helping the director of communications collect background information on the political conventions.

Many interns find that BHI’s real world experience complements their work in the classroom, particularly since most have studied economics.

Phomdaen Souvanna, a senior at Tufts University, says participation in ongoing projects is critical to the success of the program.

“On the second day of work, I was given the task of researching background information for a current project. I got excited when I came across theories that I have studied in the classroom,” remarks Souvanna. “It is rewarding to know that what I have learned in the classroom will finally be put to use. Being able to experience the application of economic theories and analysis to current events is quite different from applying it to theoretical situations in the classroom. BHI has given me that opportunity and so much more.”

Christine Donehue, a senior in economics at Harvard, found herself plumbing the depths of the many variables that make up the institute’s annual Competitiveness Report.
“The Competitiveness Report 2004 project provided me with the independence and autonomy that few college interns are lucky enough to experience,” says Donehue a resident of Scituate. “This was combined with the knowledge that there were always many intelligent, experienced and helpful economists available whenever I needed advice or assistance.”

This year’s internship program included an innovative addition. In an effort to highlight the depth and relevance of its free market analysis, BHI staff conducted an all day seminar for the interns. The theme of Intern Day was “Policy into Practice."

Interns also took part in a computer lab, where they learned how best to apply Microsoft Access in a research setting. They also received advice on the job search and application process.
“’Policy into Practice” is designed to give a more complete picture of how BHI applies economic methods to current policy issues,” says Rebecca Moryl, Director of Operations. “We provide students an understanding of how a research project develops, how that research informs important policy debate, and how all of BHI’s work drives the principles of our mission.”

BHI expects to continue the program next summer. “I would recommend this program to anyone, because not only does it give you the chance to hone your communication and research skills, but it also teaches you to think on your feet and solve unforeseen problems that are bound to occur in the real world,” says Sirikhwan Khlaiaksorn, a master’s candidate in economics at Boston University.

Format revised on 30-Aug-2004 3:21 PM