Graduate Analyst, Economics + Public Policy - Networking Event with AECOM - Chicago

AECOM • Chicago, IL

6h • $70,000 - $90,000 • Onsite

About The Position

AECOM is hosting an exclusive, invitation-only hiring event in Chicago, IL November 20-21. This is a great opportunity to learn and connect with AECOM for career opportunities starting Spring/Summer 2026.
The event kicks off on Thursday evening with a networking mixer from 6-8 pm , where you can hear from AECOM staff about various projects, career paths, and the company itself. You’ll also have the chance to meet other students, recent graduates, and AECOM professionals from across our business lines.
On Friday, interviews will take place at our Chicago office. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and connect with AECOM for early career opportunities.
If you're a college student majoring in a field indicated below and graduating in December 2025 or Spring 2026, we'd love to hear from you!
AECOM is seeking a Graduate Analyst, Economics + Public Policy to be based in Chicago, IL.
This position is expected to begin in May 2026.
The AECOM Advisory practice helps clients evaluate and make decisions about feasibility, financial requirements, social impact, risk, and prospects for success. We pull ideas into focus and sharpen the boundaries of a preliminary plan or concept. The practice has three core focus areas: Sustainable Economics, Economic Development & Urban Policy, and Real Estate Advisory. Our team helps clients pursue real estate development that achieves civic goals, often for public or institutional clients. That includes making decisions about market demand, feasibility, and financial requirements as well as social impact, economic development, and public benefits. We pull ideas into focus and sharpen the boundaries of a preliminary plan or concept for regional and place-based economic development, urban revitalization, real estate, tourism, and culture.
Collaborating with other disciplines, our team develops strategies that respond to the market, attract financing, and enable implementation. We address challenges through clear communication, creative thinking, and structured, impartial analysis. Our global experience and comprehensive, integrated approach help us understand how multiple factors influence value and feasibility. It’s not just about the market, but also project design, public policies, and regulations, site conditions, mitigation requirements, development and financing costs, phasing, and implementation challenges.
The Graduate Analyst will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to do discrete technical tasks, including developing and implementing quantitative analytical approaches; conducting data analysis, economic and financial modeling, literature reviews, and stakeholder interviews; developing graphics and presentations to communicate key findings; and writing sections of client deliverables and proposals. The position requires the ability to work closely with managers to balance multiple projects and deadlines and communicate clearly with both clients and other team members.
The successful candidate will have some experience in a few of the following topics: market and financial feasibility analysis; economic development strategies for redevelopment; public policy review and drafting; fiscal and economic impact analysis; public-private partnerships and transaction support; and affordable housing finance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Finance, Business, Real Estate, Environmental Science, Climate and Sustainability, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Economics, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Finance, Business, Real Estate, Environmental Science, Climate and Sustainability, or a related field.
• Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses related to economic and community development, equity, housing, public health, public finance, and/or resilience
• Experience leading discrete technical tasks, presenting and developing content for client deliverables and proposals, interviewing project stakeholders, and presenting professional work at meetings.
• Experience building cashflow models in Excel for real estate development projects
• Ability to think critically, analyze policy and regulations, and write effectively
• Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
• Strong technical skills, including experience with one or more of the following software packages: ArcGIS and other spatial analysis tools
• Quantitative/statistical programs such as R, Python
• Data and analysis visualization
• Data sources such as Costar, EMSI, ESRI Business Analyst, BLS
• Economic impact modeling tools such as RIMS II, IMPLAN, REMI

Responsibilities

• Research local and regional economic issues and provide consultation regarding the development of dynamic regional and local economies, as well as urban and rural regeneration.
• Proposes solutions to issues such as labor markets, education and skills, deprivation and social inclusion, inward investment, and business development.
• May draft and prepare reports based on project outcomes.
• Has strong academic record, reflecting strong technical skills and high quality/standards of work; staffed on a wide range of projects and tasks.
• Works under the direction of more experienced staff and managers.

Benefits

• AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees