DAA Summer Internship

Location: Frankfort, KY, (hybrid), with one required in-office day per week
Travel: Occasional statewide travel may be possible; most required meetings and convenings are online.
Compensation: $20 per hour
Term: May 15, 2026 – Aug. 7, 2026
Time Commitment: 20 hours per week, hybrid, with in-office day on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Application Window: April 1, 2026 – April 15, 2026

Overview

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) invites applications for a paid Summer 2026 internship focused on hands-on learning in Structured Query Language (SQL) and Tableau to query, visualize, and report higher education data. The intern will support the Data & Advanced Analytics (DAA) unit through research, contributions to agency reports and publications, and communication of findings to internal and external stakeholders. As Kentucky’s postsecondary coordinating board, CPE advances academic quality, affordability, and student success through policy and accountability. The DAA unit leverages data and research to inform the agency’s strategic agenda and provide insights to the Governor’s Office and state legislature. This internship offers meaningful, real-world experience that builds analytic skills and prepares students for professional and post‑undergraduate pursuits.

Learning Outcomes & Responsibilities

• Gain intensive, hands-on experience with SQL and Tableau analytic tools.
• Work with unique, large-scale administrative data to analyze trends and draw inferences.
• Assist CPE staff with information requests and publications.
• Attend internal and external meetings with policymakers and agency partners.
• Earn credits towards their degree, if applicable.
• Prepare, present, and publish research work.
• Develop and manage original research projects with staff support.
• Support the review and revision of technical documentation, including data submission guidelines, policy updates, and user instructions.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but not required. Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply.

• Students in higher education, social sciences, public policy, statistics, computer science, or related fields.
• Experience with SQL database querying.
• Experience with data visualization in Tableau.
• Experience with descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.).

Selection Process

Applications will open on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, and close on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The search committee will select 3 to 5 candidates and schedule at least one virtual interview with each candidate. Our candidate pools are typically very large and selective; accordingly, this may necessitate follow-up interviews. The finalists who are selected will then have one week to either accept or decline their offers. Our goal is to onboard the successful candidates in mid-May.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following application materials to CPE.HR@Ky.gov:

1. Cover letter describing interest in and qualifications for the position.
2. A CV or résumé.
3. A writing sample (full or excerpted).

Selection Timeline and Process

• Applications accepted: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
• Screening: Search committee selects 3–5 candidates for at least one virtual interview (follow-up interviews may be necessary).
• Offer: Finalist will have one week to accept or decline.
• Onboarding target: Mid‑May 2026.