Intern (Research, Storytelling & Community Impact)

About Fourth Economy

Fourth Economy is a national consulting firm that collaborates with communities, organizations, and regions to imagine and build resilient, inclusive, and thriving futures. Founded in Pittsburgh in 2010, we believe that lasting impact comes from genuine partnership. Each client and each project is distinct. We intentionally combine research, analytics, planning, strategy development, and community engagement to create data-driven strategies shaped by the people they affect.

We work across a wide range of markets and industries, including business districts, housing, community health, cultural and outdoor economies, equitable development, emerging industries, organizational strategy, environment and climate, and quality of life and place. In each of these areas, we help clients solve complex problems by exploring new ideas, elevating community voices, and designing solutions that are practical, creative, and grounded in equity.

In 2021, Fourth Economy joined Steer, a global consultancy specializing in transportation, infrastructure, and urban development. Steer brings deep expertise in strategy, advisory, planning, and design, helping clients worldwide navigate the systems that shape how people move, live, and work.

Together, we combine innovative, people-centered solutions with global expertise. Our expanded team helps communities and organizations not only plan for the future but also create it, delivering measurable outcomes that strengthen economies, improve quality of life, and expand opportunity for all.

The Opportunity

WHO

Fourth Economy's Research, Storytelling & Community Impact Internship is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates with interests in communications, journalism, public policy, economic development, community development, sociology, nonprofit management, marketing, public health, urban studies, or related fields.

We are seeking a curious, creative, and motivated individual who enjoys learning, experimenting, and helping others understand complex ideas through research, storytelling, and engagement.

WHAT

This internship focuses on helping Fourth Economy tell the stories behind the data. Interns will support research, writing, communications, engagement activities, events, and special initiatives that help communities, organizations, and regions understand complex challenges and opportunities.

The intern will work alongside consultants, researchers, and engagement specialists to document community experiences, translate research into accessible content, support public engagement efforts, and identify compelling ways to communicate impact. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and execution and is excited to test new ideas and approaches.

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting desktop research on community and economic development topics
• Supporting interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Drafting reports, articles, blog posts, case studies, newsletters, and other written materials
• Supporting Fourth Economy's social media, website, and thought leadership content
• Helping manage conference calendars, speaking opportunities, event logistics, and content preparation
• Assisting with the planning and coordination of the Agents of Change initiative and other events
• Identifying stories, themes, and insights that emerge from research and engagement activities
• Testing new communications, engagement, and storytelling approaches to help expand Fourth Economy's reach and impact
• Exploring emerging tools and technologies that can improve how we share information, engage stakeholders, and communicate results

Agents of Change

As part of this internship, the selected candidate may help support Fourth Economy's Agents of Change initiative, a series of conversations and gatherings designed to bring together practitioners, community leaders, nonprofits, researchers, and residents to discuss pressing challenges and innovative approaches related to economic mobility, opportunity, and community development.

The intern will have opportunities to help research topics, identify speakers and participants, develop communications materials, support event logistics, document conversations, and capture lessons learned that can be shared more broadly.

WHEN

The position would begin in August or September 2026, with a flexible start date. Candidates can anticipate 15-20 hours of work per week.

Interns should expect to work primarily in 4- to 5-hour shifts during standard business hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET). While we offer flexibility in scheduling and can accommodate different days of the week, work hours must generally occur within this timeframe to support collaboration with project teams, supervisors, clients, and community partners.

WHERE

The position must be physically located in Pittsburgh, PA, with a mix of remote and in-person work. Interns may participate in community meetings, events, workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities throughout the Pittsburgh region.

WHY

This internship offers an opportunity to explore how research, storytelling, engagement, communications, and events intersect to support stronger communities.

Interns will gain hands-on experience working with consultants and community leaders on projects related to economic mobility, workforce development, housing, neighborhood revitalization, public health, and community development. Through mentorship and project-based learning, interns will strengthen their research, writing, communications, project management, and facilitation skills while contributing to work that creates meaningful impact.

Successful interns may have opportunities to continue with Fourth Economy across multiple academic semesters and may be considered for future employment opportunities.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong written communication and storytelling skills
• Interest in community development, economic mobility, public policy, housing, workforce development, public health, or related topics
• Experience conducting research and synthesizing information from multiple sources
• Ability to organize information and identify key themes, trends, and insights
• Strong attention to detail and project management skills
• Comfort managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team
• Curiosity, creativity, and willingness to learn
• Experience with interviews, journalism, communications, marketing, content creation, event planning, or community engagement is a plus
• Experience with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, social media platforms, website content management systems, or related communications tools is a plus

How You'll Spend Your Time

Research, Storytelling & Communications (Approximately 60%)

• Conduct background research on community and economic development topics
• Draft articles, blogs, case studies, summaries, presentations, and communications materials
• Support social media content creation and content planning
• Help translate technical information into accessible and engaging content
• Identify opportunities to elevate client stories, project outcomes, and organizational thought leadership

Events, Engagement & Innovation (Approximately 30%)

• Support stakeholder interviews and engagement activities
• Help manage conference schedules, event logistics, and speaking opportunities
• Assist with planning and coordination of Agents of Change and other convenings
• Participate in community meetings, workshops, and events
• Test new ideas, tools, and approaches related to engagement, communications, and storytelling
• Document key insights and lessons learned from events and conversations

Internal Support (Approximately 10%)

• Join internal meetings and learning sessions
• Shadow project teams and business development activities
• Connect with Fourth Economy and Steer staff to learn about different career paths and project types
• Gain exposure to consulting, project management, business development, and thought leadership activities

Application and Interview Process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates selected to move forward can expect to be contacted beginning in mid-July, with interviews occurring throughout the recruitment period until the position is filled.

Please submit:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample, Communications Sample, Portfolio, or Other Relevant Work Product

We encourage applicants to share work that demonstrates their ability to research, communicate, tell stories, organize information, or engage audiences.

We offer a competitive wage of $25 per hour for interns.

Internships are designed to provide meaningful project experience and professional development opportunities. Successful interns may have the opportunity to continue with Fourth Economy across multiple academic semesters, depending on performance, workload, and organizational needs. For high-performing interns, there may also be opportunities to be considered for future full-time positions with the firm.