Summer Intern, XQ Institute : Finance

Summer Intern, XQ Institute : Finance

Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world. Emerson Collective's summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, recent college graduates - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED. We're looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration. The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 1012. See below for more details. Application Deadline : Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2 : 00 PM PT / 5 : 00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

The XQ Institute is the nation's leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life. The Finance team at XQ Institute drives financial clarity and data-informed decision-making across the organization. As the Finance intern, you'll gain hands-on experience at the intersection of finance, data visualization, and SQL-based analysis, helping modernize XQ's financial reporting and dashboard systems. You'll collaborate with the Finance team to automate data pipelines, improve reporting accuracy, and uncover insights that inform strategic decisions. You'll also have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies by contributing to AI and automation projects that streamline financial planning and analysis workflows. This internship is ideal for someone who's curious about data, motivated to learn new technologies, and eager to see how financial and operational data shape strategy in a mission-driven organization.

Role and Responsibilities

Support the development and improvement of financial and operational dashboards that visualize key metrics and performance indicators.

Clean, organize, and validate data from systems to improve data accuracy and reporting quality.

Learn to write and run SQL queries to extract and analyze financial and operational data from databases.

Help prepare and review monthly and quarterly reports, ensuring data integrity and timely delivery.

Partner with departments across the organization to understand data needs and develop accessible, actionable insights.

Assist in testing or building light automations - potentially using AI - to streamline recurring FP&A tasks (e.g., variance tracking, forecasting updates, or report generation).

Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements

Rising undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior, preferably pursuing a degree related to finance, data analytics, economics, computer science, or business.

Strong analytical and quantitative thinking skills.

Experience with or interest in SQL, data visualization, or financial modeling.

Proficiency in Google Sheets or Excel; familiarity with data tools, Looker Studio, or Tableau is a plus.

Detail-oriented, organized, and motivated to learn new tools and systems.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Collaborative, curious, and proactive, with a strong growth mindset.

Internship Details

Compensation : All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks). Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 1012. All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.

Key Dates

• November 18 January 9 : Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis
• January 12 March 7 : Interviews continue and offers extended
• June 1012 : Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation
• June 15 : Internship program begins
• August 7 : Internship program concludes