Internship Location: Chicago IL
Organization Type: Local Government
Policy Areas: Transportation, land use, climate, economic development policy
This summer, I interned in the Regional Policy and Implementation division at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), northeastern Illinois’ metropolitan planning organization. During my time at CMAP, I researched policies related to traffic safety, congestion management, water and wastewater decarbonization, and infrastructure investment. My most time-intensive research focused on investigating potential land use frameworks for the region’s upcoming Vision plan; this assignment required me to, first, identify how governments most commonly define future land use patterns and, second, identify the ways in which CMAP might incentivize land use patterns to develop. I also presented my research findings through memos, a policy brief, and oral presentations. Thanks to this internship, I can research a wide range of complex policies, identify innovative solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing urban and regional planning organizations, and communicate my findings clearly and concisely. Additionally, I have learned the importance of analytical skills, such as policy analysis and program evaluation, and technical skills, such as GIS and public budgeting, and I aim to strengthen these skills as I continue with my program.