Bank of America Fellowship 2023-2024

Overview:

The 2023-2024 Bank of America (BOA) Fellowship Program at Focus NJ is seeking graduate students to conduct qualitative and quantitative research on workforce development, education, and economic trends through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion to aid Focus NJ’s efforts to upskill & reskill the Garden State’s workforce post-pandemic.

Fellows will be expected to conduct research on topics including, but not limited to, state-level economic recovery post-pandemic, racial equality, economic opportunity, upskilling, reskilling, career pathways, professional development, and lifelong learning.  The work conducted during this fellowship is intended to serve minority groups, underserved communities, low-income families, and low-to-middle skill workers.

In addition to conducting research, the selected fellow(s) will work to implement the recommendations and goals of Focus NJ’s Education & Workforce Development Taskforce report titled “The Education Equation Part 2: Strategies to Reskill, Reshape & Rehire NJ’s Workforce. The selected fellow(s) will also benchmark the success of the taskforce report’s recommendations and deliverables, including conducting quantitative analyses on the status of the state’s current initiatives to help identify future success metrics.

To advance diversity, equity and inclusion, special consideration will be given to students who meet specific criteria (listed below). The Bank of America Fellowship is a two-semester appointment, September 2023 – May 2024. Selected fellows will receive a $20,000 stipend for their hours worked. Fellows will work 20 hybrid hours per week and will undergo extensive Tableau software training. Days, hours, and location for work conducted will be decided with the Focus NJ Executive Director upon hire. Focus NJ will work with fellows to secure academic credit, if applicable.

Key Responsibilities may include:

  • Conducting qualitative and quantitative research related to workforce development, education, and economic trends;
  • Assisting in implementing and conducting the benchmarking of recommendations and deliverables from previous Focus NJ reports;
  • Assisting in the management of Focus NJ’s workforce development resource page;
  • Conducting research to identify state and national employer hiring commitments, including the type of commitment made and populations served;
  • Attending Desktop I, Desktop II and Desktop III Tableau training courses;
  • Creating data interactives using Tableau for the Focus NJ website;
  • Conducting policy research and development;
  • Assisting in the development of educational materials for high-priority issue areas;
  • Drafting research reports, infographics, and public opinion pieces;
  • Monitoring state legislative committee meetings;
  • Monitoring state and federal legislation and regulation.

Qualifications:

  • Must be a current Master’s or Ph.D. graduate student majoring in Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Education or related discipline(s) at a New Jersey institution as of Fall 2023 semester;
  • Proven success in research methods and/or economics course(s);
  • A strong interest in research;
  • Proficiency in state/federal database navigation;
  • Proficiency in Excel;
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
  • Ability to work well independently and in a team atmosphere;
  • Must have the ability to complete work in a timely manner;
  • Must be well-organized and highly reliable.

Compensation:

Fellows will receive a total stipend of $20,000.

Special consideration given to applicants who meet any of the following criteria:

  • First-generation college students;
  • From an underserved community;
  • Graduates of a New Jersey community college;
  • Enrolled in or have graduated from a historically Black college or university (HBCU);
  • Enrolled in or have graduated from a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI).

Fellows will report to the Executive Director. A cover letter, resume, writing sample, and two recommendation letters must be submitted by Friday, April 14, 2023. Students should indicate the research methods and/or economics courses taken in their cover letter.  Applicants should also include special consideration criteria in their cover letter.

Questions may be directed to ksullender@focusnj.org.

APPLY HERE: