Business Operations Intern (Graduate Student)

AARP

Posted 2 months ago

Internship

Washington, District of Columbia

Hybrid

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

The intern will support the Foundation Operations team by synthesizing data and policy content to generate actionable insights and recommendations. They will also design standard operating procedures and manage internal resources to improve operational efficiency.

Qualifications

You are a graduate student pursuing a degree in business, analytics, information systems, public policy, or a related field. You possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate findings clearly through presentations and written deliverables. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite is required, and familiarity with data visualization tools like Power BI is a plus.

Must Have Skills for ATS

Power BI

Salesforce

Smartsheet

SharePoint

Microsoft Office Suite

Excel

data visualization

Job Description

Overview

AARP Foundation is the nation's leading organization serving the 39 million older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. Our mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. We do this by creating pathways to quality employment, removing barriers to benefits, and promoting equitable access to essential goods and services. To learn more, visit aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media.

The Foundation Operations team is seeking a graduate student for a Business Operations Intern role to support project-based work focused on insights generation, knowledge management, and process improvement. In this role, you will work closely with team leads to synthesize data and policy content, generate insights and recommendations, and create scalable resources that enhance how all staff access and apply operational information. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute to meaningful deliverables, gain exposure to tools such as Power BI, Salesforce, and Smartsheet, and present findings to internal stakeholders. This paid summer internship has a start date of Summer 2026, with the possibility of extending additional semesters.


Responsibilities

  • Co-develop a mid-year insights report by analyzing a mix of structured data and qualitative policy content to identify key trends, user behaviors, and opportunities for improvement
  • Extract and work with data from reporting tools to create clear, compelling data visualizations and summaries to communicate findings
  • Translate insights into actionable recommendations and contribute to presentations delivered to internal stakeholders
  • Design and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) by creating short-form instructional videos to improve accessibility and understanding of operational policies
  • Support the development and organization of an internal SharePoint site to enhance knowledge management and resource navigation
  • Evaluate internal tools and processes to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement; research and apply best practices where appropriate
  • Collaborate with cross-functional team members and participate in team meetings, project discussions, and feedback sessions

Qualifications

  • Must be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college or university as a graduate student and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship
  • Pursuing a degree in business, analytics, information systems, public policy/administration, or a related field
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify patterns and generate insights from both quantitative and qualitative information
  • Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate findings clearly through presentations and written deliverables
  • Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Teams); familiarity with data visualization concepts is required
  • Interest in process improvement, operations, and applying technology (including emerging AI tools) to enhance organizational effectiveness
  • Self-starter with strong organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities, conduct independent research, and work through ambiguity
  • Familiarity with tools such as Power BI, Salesforce, Smartsheet, or SharePoint, and experience creating instructional or video content is a plus

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

  • Regular and reliable job attendance
  • Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
  • In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Hybrid Work Environment

AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly range is $18 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, and $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

AARP

What we do might surprise you! AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social mission organization with a membership of nearly 38 million. Our aim is to disrupt outdated stereotypes about aging, turn goals and dreams into real possibilities, and fight for the issues that matter most to people 50-plus, their families and communities. Our social impact work in health security, financial resilience, and personal fulfillment is at the heart of what we do. With offices in every state plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, we live and work in the communities we serve. We listen to what people need and want, and offer programs, services and trusted information that are directly relevant to them. State offices also work with our national office to amplify our members’ voices at the local and federal levels to help empower people 50 and above to choose how they live and work as they age. From being a force for positive change to producing the nation’s largest-circulation magazine – the full scope of what we do might surprise you! That’s why people who are excited by unique opportunities and galvanized by meaningful challenges come to work at AARP.
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