Since 1982, the Economic Alliance for Michigan has been the state’s leading nonprofit coalition of employers and unions united around one goal: a stronger Michigan economy. Today, EAM members provide health benefits to an estimated 900,000 lives — and we use that collective market power to drive real change in healthcare quality, cost, and transparency.
Our work spans healthcare policy advocacy, hospital safety and quality reporting, employer education, state and federal government relations, and original research. We partner with organizations like The Leapfrog Group, the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, and Michigan’s largest employers and unions to move the needle on issues that matter.
If you want your internship to mean something — this is the place. FULL OR PART TIME
The Role
This is not a coffee-and-copies internship. You’ll work directly alongside EAM’s small, high-impact team on active projects across policy, research, communications, and member engagement. The work is real, the deadlines are real, and the people you’ll interact with — from state legislators to Fortune 500 benefits directors — are at the top of their fields.
We’re a lean organization. That means you’ll get exposure and responsibility that most interns at larger organizations never see.
What You’ll Work On
Depending on the semester and organizational priorities, your work may include:
- Policy & Research — Tracking state and federal healthcare legislation, analyzing hospital pricing data, supporting white papers and policy briefs, and preparing materials for legislative engagement
- Communications — Drafting press releases, social media content, member newsletters, and event materials that translate complex healthcare topics into clear, compelling language
- Member Engagement — Supporting EAM’s Women’s Health in the Workplace Conference, employer roundtables, and educational programs like EDUCATE — our four-part series for HR and benefits professionals
- Hospital Safety & Quality — Assisting with EAM’s annual Hospital Patient Safety Awards and Maternity Care Awards programs, including data review and outreach coordination
- Government Affairs — Monitoring legislative activity, preparing briefing documents, and supporting EAM’s advocacy efforts at the state capitol
Who We’re Looking For
You don’t need to have all the answers. You need to be curious, organized, and willing to dig in.
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in public policy, public health, health administration, economics, communications, political science, or a related field
- Strong writing skills — you can explain a complicated idea clearly and concisely
- Comfortable working independently and managing multiple tasks without a lot of hand-holding
- Genuine interest in healthcare policy, employer benefits, or state government
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with research databases or data analysis is a plus
What You’ll Gain
- Hands-on experience at the intersection of healthcare, policy, and employer advocacy
- Exposure to Michigan’s legislative process and state government relations
- A professional network that includes business leaders, union officials, benefits professionals, and healthcare policy experts
- Real work product you can point to — published research, event materials, policy documents
- A front-row seat to one of the most consequential policy debates in Michigan: the cost and quality of healthcare