The Boston University Initiative on Cities seeks an outstanding undergraduate student for a summer internship with the City of Boston’s Street’s Cabinet. The intern will primarily work on community outreach, supporting the Streets Cabinet’s efforts to engage residents, businesses, and community organizations around initiatives from the Boston Transportation Department and Public Works Department.

This internship is new for summer 2026, and is a great opportunity for students interested in cities, community outreach, public engagement, marketing and communications, and/or transportation. While this internship is new, check out our past summer internship reflections here.

Page Overview

Summer 2026 Internship Information

Applications are due on Sunday, March 8, 2026 (Plan Ahead! This is at the start of BU Spring Break)

This community outreach intern will support the Street’s Cabinets efforts to engage residents on infrastructure projects and mobility programs. The internship offers hands-on experience in public engagement, communications, and local government operations while contributing to meaningful transportation improvements in the community.

This internship is based in Boston and requires the ability to commute to Boston City Hall on a regular basis. Additional travel may be required to Boston locations (no personal vehicle is required).

About the Boston Streets Cabinet: The City of Boston Streets cabinet consists of the Public Works Department and Transportation Department. It delivers the essential public services that keep Boston moving, clean, and vibrant while transforming the City’s streets to help Boston become a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable city. You can learn more here.

Compensation & Duration

Compensation: The Intern will be paid approximately $5,040 ($18/hour) for a full-time internship (35 hours per week).

Duration: The internship will run for 8 weeks between June and August 2026. The Streets Cabinet will determine the exact start date with the Intern as the summer approaches.

Location: Boston; regular on-site work at Boston City Hall is required.

Housing Support: In addition to pay, this intern will be eligible to receive a stipend for housing support. The exact amount of this stipend is still being determined.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Key Responsibilities

  • Assist with planning and executing community outreach efforts related to transportation projects, public meetings, and events
  • Help prepare outreach materials such as flyers, presentations, surveys, newsletters, and social media content
  • Support staff at public meetings, workshops, open houses, and tabling events
  • Conduct community research, including gathering public feedback, compiling survey results, and summarizing community input
  • Assist with maintaining outreach databases, contact lists, and engagement metrics
  • Collaborate with transportation planners, engineers, and communications staff on public-facing initiatives
  • Help draft reports, summaries, and briefing materials for internal and public use
  • Perform administrative tasks as needed to support outreach and engagement activities

Qualifications

  • Strong work ethic, initiative, and attention to detail
  • Excellent written communication skills
  • Excellent oral communication skills, particularly for organizing and supporting public events, community meetings, and  social media content
  • A demonstrated passion for issues related to city governance, transportation, and/or public works
  • Must be comfortable with direct community outreach, including tabling and door knocking
  • Ability to take research, data, and numbers and tell compelling stories
  • Enthusiasm for public service and a commitment to learning about local government functions
  • Advanced social media skills, including strategy and content creation

How to Apply & Timeline

Applications due: Sunday, March 8, 2026 (Plan Ahead! This is at the start of BU Spring Break)

Application Materials: As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a single PDF. This document should contain the following materials in the same order as listed below:

  • Cover letter, including a description of your interests, skills, and knowledge you expect to apply or expand in this position.
  • Resume
  • Essay of no more than 500 words about a government program or policy that you believe would benefit from greater public engagement and community outreach. Please describe why you feel the program is important, why you feel it would benefit from increased public engagement and community outreach, and what you would change/implement.
  • A graphic design sample that shows your ability to communicate information in a concise and visually appealing manner.
  • A list of two references, either academic or professional. Please include their title, organization, phone number, and email. No actual references are required.
  • Unofficial copy of your academic transcript showing grades and all academic semesters (including the spring 2026 semester ungraded).
    • Screenshots are ok as long as the text is clear and legible.
    • Your BU unofficial academic transcript can be obtained free of charge on MyBU Student. Please contact the registrar for more information.

Naming your single PDF: Please note, you should name your document using the following format: [First and Last Name] Streets Cabinet 2026 Application (for example: Jane Doe Streets Cabinet 2026 Application).

How to apply: You can apply here. Please double-check all of the above information, including application materials and naming instructions for your PDF. Please also review the eligibility details below.

Timeline: As noted, applications are due on Sunday, March 8, 2026. We expect to award the internship in early to mid-April.

Apply Here

Eligibility Details

Only current Boston University undergraduate students who meet the following conditions are eligible:

  • Applicants must be in good standing at Boston University
  • Applicants must be enrolled in classes as part of a degree-seeking program at Boston University for the spring 2026 semester. They must continue in either the same or a new degree-seeking program at Boston University in the fall 2026 semester.
    • Graduating seniors are eligible if they are entering a graduate degree program at Boston University and meet the above requirements.
    • Undergraduate students continuing at BU in fall 2026 or in the summer 2 terms are eligible. However, students working on an incomplete to finish a graduation requirement are not considered enrolled, according to the Student Employment Office, and are therefore ineligible.

Terms of Award

    • The intern will work 35 hours per week for the entire eight weeks.
    • The intern must be responsive to the Initiative on Cities’ requests during the internship and may be asked to submit content for web and/or social media.
    • Interns must complete a reflection piece within two weeks of completing their internship, reflecting on their experience in City Hall and the project(s) they worked on throughout the summer.
      • This piece should emphasize the Intern’s core focus for the summer, the impact of their project, as well as the lessons learned.
      • They are encouraged to incorporate interactive elements, including video and photography.
      • This reflection will be shared on the IOC website.
    • Interns may participate in a roundtable discussion or other related event held in fall 2026 to share their experience working in city government.

    Questions

    If you have any questions, please get in touch with David Gross, MetroBridge Program Manager, at davgross@bu.edu.