Economic Fellow (2024-2025)

Third Way is a national think tank that develops and champions modern, center-left ideas. Our work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security.

Third Way’s Economic Program is looking for a fellow to join a dynamic team working to develop and advance a modern economic agenda focused on expanding and strengthening the middle class. For some, work in the current economy is richly rewarded. But for many, it’s still a struggle. Paths to the middle class for those without a four-year college degree are narrowing. Technology has replaced workers. Systemic racism devastates communities of color. Capital is hard to come by. Skills don’t match available jobs. Our federal fiscal situation exacerbates economic and political problems. Health care is too expensive.

We are looking for creative policy junkies to help us tackle these tough economic challenges. These issues, and numerous others, will be critical to explore as Third Way works to build a middle class that is more affordable and attainable.

The fellow will report to the Director of the Economic Program.

Fellowship Information

The Third Way Fellows Program is a full-time, 12-month program that comes with a $60,000 annual stipend and two weeks paid vacation, plus healthcare and benefits. It also comes with the chance to meet with top Washington policy players; to co-author papers and work with our policy teams to produce new ideas, research, and insights; to learn our methodology; and to leverage our wide-ranging D.C. network into future career opportunities.

During your time at Third Way, you will learn skills in workflow management, leveraging polarities, meeting facilitation and participation, parallel thinking, dynamic presentation and communication, creativity, design thinking, networking, and interview skills.

Upon completion, our fellows find fulfilling work at other think tanks, congressional committees, private-sector firms, advocacy organizations, and the federal government. They take full advantage of Third Way’s ever-growing network of public policy professionals. If you are a future-oriented thinker and a policy wonk willing to listen and learn, we’d like you to join us.

Skills

The ideal candidate has:

• An interest in center-left politics and commitment to Third Way’s mission;
• An advanced degree (master’s) in a related field;
• The ability to take initiative on individual projects, but willingness to work collaboratively on a team;
• Strong research and technical skills (such as Excel, R, and/or STATA), with a talent for knowing and telling the story a dataset demands;
• Knowledge of the federal legislative/policymaking process and the ability to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to the policymaking community;
• Diplomacy and discretion when dealing with external groups.

Duties

• Conducting research, analyzing data, and authoring high-impact memos, reports, op-eds, and presentations in order to illuminate how the US economy works and what must be done to make the middle class more affordable and attainable;
• Developing original and compelling policy briefs that offer new and modern ideas to policymakers;
• Monitoring media, government reports, NGOs, and academia to stay informed on select economic issues;
• Developing and deepening expertise on a wide range of economic issues, which may include topics such as jobs and employment, wages and benefits, the federal budget, taxes, economic mobility, international trade, artificial intelligence and technology, infrastructure, financial markets, and rural development; and
• Supporting other members of the team with research and minor administrative tasks as needed.

Compensation

$60,000 annual stipend and two weeks paid vacation, plus healthcare and benefits.

A willingness to work collaboratively on a team while taking initiative on individual projects, an aptitude to multi-task on various assignments in distinct issue areas, intellectual curiosity, and a capacity to solve problems creatively and think outside the box is integral to a successful fellowship at Third Way.

The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree in a related field. The fellow must have quantitative experience, including the ability to work with datasets and Microsoft Excel (experience manipulating microdatasets in R or STATA preferred). Strong research skills are essential along with an interest in U.S. politics and the policymaking process.

While this position requires strong technical skills, Third Way’s success relies on our ability to build relationships and communicate our message. This includes the ability to exercise diplomacy and discretion in dealing with external groups. And the ability to explain complicated concepts in a way that makes sense to the general public and engages and excites the audience.

Third Way is committed to the health, safety and wellness of all employees, candidates, stakeholders, and communities. In support of that commitment, all current and newly hired employees are required to provide proof of Covid-19 full vaccination. Proof of full vaccination status will be required after an offer of employment is extended and accepted. Failure to provide proof of full vaccination prior to the start date will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Third Way offers a flexible, hybrid work environment to support our employees’ healthy work\life balance. This position is based in Washington, DC, and Third Way’s in-office days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Third Way is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.