Each summer, the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics (BFI) invites economics students at the University of Chicago to apply for funding for summer internship opportunities. Students learn to apply their skills in a range of positions, from assisting with campus-based faculty research to a range of external opportunities
This summers’ internships had real-world impact and provided meaningful, informative experiences that deepened students’ learning and inquiry. In all, 50 internships were made possible for both graduate and undergraduate students through BFI’s internship programs – the Kapani Metcalf Internship Program for Undergraduate Economics Students, and the Brickell Metcalf Internship Program.
MAPSS student Erin Eidschun worked with Brent Neiman, Edward Eagle Brown Professor of Economics, Booth School of Business, and was subsequently hired for a year-long research assistant position on Prof. Neiman’s team.
“I thought international economics and trade were a great intersection of my interest in macroeconomics and the international scene, and Prof. Neiman deals primarily with this research,” Eidschun said. “It was a wonderful experience. I learned how to better code in R, how to collaborate on code, and how to understand more complex macroeconomic models, and Prof. Neiman provided lots of direct feedback.”
The Kapani Metcalf Internship Program for Undergraduate Economics Students annually provides a generous stipend to support students as they intern for faculty on campus and at various external positions across the country.
“The dynamic this summer was great,” second-year Matthew Baumholtz, who interned at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, said. “I got to work closely with all levels inside the Council of Economic Advisers – people with PhD’s, people on leave from other government positions, other interns, even other UChicago faculty and alumni. It was basically like we were all one group completing tasks. It was very fun.”
Entering its second year, the Brickell Metcalf Internship Program supports undergraduate students interested in conducting research with the intent of increasing liberty. Funded by Mark Brickell, AB’74, and Anita Brickell, AB’75, MBA’76, the program aims to produce research to develop a better understanding of the effects of law, regulation, and government policy on human behavior. Students are encouraged to choose from a number of possible research opportunities offered by faculty members, who submit proposals for desired research assistant support.
Fourth-year Noah McLean, one of four 2019 Brickell Metcalf interns, worked with Harris Public Policy Assistant Professor Anjali Adukia and her team to design a pipeline that would allow them to analyze gender and racial bias in children’s textbooks, largely using machine learning algorithms.
“This internship gave me the opportunity to learn far more about machine learning and natural language processing. Not only has this helped me in looking for a full-time job after graduation, but the experience has helped me explore whether I want to pursue a PhD in the near future,” McLean said. “Working with the team was a fantastic experience, and I felt that my work was respected and my input valued.”
Students interested in pursuing a 2020 summer internship can visit bfi.uchicago.edu for current opportunities and for information on proposing external internship opportunities that fit their specific interests and apply their economic background.