<p>Job Responsibilities</p> <p>Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation.</p> <p>The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) is committed to maintaining the state's long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy - one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle, while allowing people to live and work where they love.</p> <p>As one of 22 cabinet agencies, S.C. Commerce is the state's lead economic development agency. Its mission is to create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, which it does by supporting new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging industries such as life sciences, headquarters, and advanced energy. To drive the state's advanced energy potential and global impact, S.C. Commerce helped organize the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC NEXUS), designated as one of 31 federal Technology and Innovation Hubs in 2023. A national leader in foreign direct investment, South Carolina extends its international reach with representation in Europe and Asia, ensuring the state remains a top, global business destination from launch to legacy.</p> <p>Job Purpose:</p> <p>The South Carolina Department of Commerce is seeking an Economic Research Analyst Intern to join our multidisciplinary Research Team, which includes experts in economics, data architecture, finance, GIS/visualization, and business analytics. This internship is ideal for students interested in using data to support business and economic development research in South Carolina. The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects that inform economic development strategies and decisions statewide.</p> <p>Under the guidance of senior research staff, the intern will support core research activities including data analysis, economic profiling, and development of research briefs and visualizations.</p> <p>Job Responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li>Assist with the collection, cleaning, and organization of economic, business, and demographic data from federal, state, and proprietary sources. </li><li>Conduct background research and literature reviews on economic trends, industry dynamics, and community development topics. </li><li>Support the preparation of one-pagers, fact sheets, and short research briefs to summarize findings for internal and external stakeholders. </li><li>Perform basic statistical analysis and develop charts, tables, and infographics using Excel, Power BI, or other tools. </li><li>Help monitor key economic indicators (employment, investment, GDP, etc.) and contribute to internal dashboards or newsletters. </li><li>Collaborate with economists and other team members on cross-functional projects that contribute to business attraction, expansion, and retention efforts. </li><li>Participate in brainstorming sessions, team meetings, and client consultations to gain exposure to real-world research needs in economic development. </li></ul> <p>Minimum and Additional Requirements</p> <p>A high school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required program experience.</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Currently pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in Economics, Public Policy, Business, Statistics, Urban Planning, or a related field. </li><li>Demonstrated interest in economic development, regional economics, or public policy analysis. </li><li>Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify trends and draw conclusions from data. </li><li>Familiarity with key data sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau (ACS, CBP, LEHD), BEA, BLS, and economic development databases. </li><li>Experience using Excel for data analysis; familiarity with Power BI, Tableau, or statistical tools (e.g., R, Python, or Stata) is a plus. </li><li>Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to summarize complex ideas in a clear, concise, and visually engaging format. </li><li>Intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, and an eagerness to contribute to applied research with real-world impact. </li><li>Ability to work collaboratively with team members and stakeholders in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. </li></ul> <p>Additional Comments</p> <p>Expected 20 hours per week.</p>