The Boston University Initiative on Cities (IOC) seeks an outstanding undergraduate student for a summer internship with the City of Boston’s Planning Advisory Council (PAC) working under Katharine Lusk. This unique opportunity allows students to contribute to developing a greener, growing, and more family-friendly Boston.

Read about the experience of the 2026 Boston Planning Advisory Council intern here and other past interns and fellows 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 dynamic role will span many areas of government and is a good fit for a student eager to learn about how local government can work more effectively across policy and implementation silos to address challenges and pursue equity in the built environment. Students will work directly with Planning Advisory Council staff. Specific projects will be determined based on the Planning Advisory Council’s needs at the time of the internship.

    This internship is based in Boston and requires commuting regularly to Boston City Hall (no personal vehicle required).

    About the Planning Advisory Council: The Planning Advisory Council is an internal body that guides a shared vision for a green, growing, family-friendly Boston and coordinates investments in the built environment to realize that vision. It was created by Mayor Michelle Wu in January 2023. The Council works to: 1) Initiate, review, endorse, and implement plans, including major infrastructure reconstruction, and assess progress; 2) Connect long-range planning and capital planning; and 3) Facilitate, coordinate, and set standards for public engagement across the planning process. 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 Planning Advisory Council 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.

    Qualifications

    There is no specific skill set required, but applicants must have a passion for public service and local government, as well as:

    • Strong work ethic and initiative
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills
    • A passion for issues of equity and the built environment
    • Interest in learning about how to make city government more strategic, agile, and collaborative
    • Interest in how the government can hold itself publicly accountable and foster trust through transparency

    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
    • An essay of no more than 500 words about an issue that you are passionate about that you feel requires collaboration across multiple city cabinets. Please describe the policy challenge and identify who you believe should be at the table to address this challenge.
    • 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] Planning Advisory Council 2026 Application (for example: Jane Doe Planning Advisory Council 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 or participate in content for the IOC website and/or social media, such as takeovers and photo sessions.
      • 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, and 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 contact David Gross, MetroBridge Program Manager, at davgross@bu.edu.