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The Mackinac Center’s Education Policy Initiative seeks assistance in collecting and analyzing raw research materials from Michigan’s local and state educational agencies. Updating and enhancing our databases will help ensure accurate, useful information is provided in our service to engaged citizen leaders. Additional research findings may help shape the public debate in positive ways to encourage needed education reforms. Strong candidates will combine a careful and thorough approach with curiosity, willingness to learn, good humor and a desire to improve educational opportunities for Michigan students.
The Purposes of the Mackinac Center Summer Internship Program
To engage extra support from students on work that advances the Mackinac Center’s mission;
To introduce students to and connect them with the ideals of liberty and the network of organizations committed to advancing the free market perspective;
To expand the pool of potential staff for free market organizations like the Mackinac Center.
Minimum Qualifications
To be considered for the Summer Internship Program, students must meet the following minimum qualifications:
Full-time college student, recent college graduate (within six months of graduation date), or a person seeking a first-work experience with a free market think tank;
Must be at least 18 years old;
A solid reputation for honest and ethical conduct;
Above-average written and oral communication skills;
Ability to work in a collaborative team environment while also being able to self-motivate and maintain focus on necessary tasks;
Professional personal appearance and hygiene;
Above-average interpersonal skills;
Please note that a curriculum major in the area of political science or economics is NOT a requirement. We hire interns from various subject areas.
Valuable Characteristics
The following special skills and characteristics will give students expanded opportunity for achievement during their internship:
Knowledge of political and economic philosophy and theory, especially in the classical liberal tradition;
Awareness of current civic affairs;
Students desiring to write for publication should demonstrate excellent writing skills and substantial writing experience;
Creativity and enthusiasm.
This internship provides an opportunity to work at a premier, state-based, free-market public policy research and educational organization and to attend various skills and career development programs such as our Intern University, and trips to the State Capitol and Supreme Court, The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Review, Issues & Ideas events and various staff and intern outings.
The employment term is a minimum of 10 full-time weeks between May and August (flexibility in start and end dates). Intern positions are on-site, are compensated at the rate of $15.50 per hour and may be eligible for a housing stipend in the amount of $400 per month. Interns are employed on an at-will basis.
Candidates are to submit a resume, a cover letter and a 700-word essay on any policy issue by March 27, 2026. If you wish to be considered for multiple positions, more than one essay is not required, but we request a cover letter for each position you apply for, provided in order of preference.
Email application materials attention to:
Sarah VandeLaar
Vice President for People and Operations
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
140 West Main Street
Midland, MI 48640-0568
intern@mackinac.org
While we thank all applicants for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those whom we are considering for an interview. No telephone calls, please.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
For more information about the Mackinac Center please visit our about page.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Through our research and education programs, we challenge government overreach and advocate for a free-market approach to public policy that frees people to realize their potential and dreams.
For more information about the Mackinac Center please visit
