Design Thinking and Product Intern

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.

AgeTech Collaborative™ from AARP is a one-of-a-kind ecosystem of leading startups, forward-thinking investors, enlightened enterprises and creative testbeds, all working to bring groundbreaking AgeTech innovations to market.

Are you a creative, passionate, and results-driven student interested in market research, analysis, new product development, and consulting? The AgeTech Collaborative™ (ATC) from AARP is looking for you! The AgeTech Collaborate ecosystem comprises startups, enterprises, investors, and testbeds seeking to better serve people 50+. We are building the capability to deliver bespoke human-centered design and innovation workshops to ecosystem participants to help them solve challenges related to the 50+ market. This paid internship has an anticipated start date of January 2026, with an option to continue throughout the year.

• Review and synthesize AgeTech and industry research and draft documents to summarize learnings
• Work directly with project teams, assisting with new product development phases from concept design to prototyping
• Apply strategic, analytical, and creative thinking to help develop insights and identify new opportunity areas
• Participate in team meetings and strategy discussions, and engage in a support role for various remote and in-person workshops

• Must be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited college/university, rising undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students, or post-doctoral students, and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship, or must have previously graduated from college and enrolled in a continuing education program
• Interest in and/or experience in new product development
• Must be a self-starter and adaptable, with the ability to work under tight deadlines 
• Ability to manage multiple projects, anticipate project needs, and discern work priorities
• Solid communicator and creative thinker with an ability to use both data and intuition to inform decisions
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, in particular PowerPoint and Excel
• Familiarity with online research tools such as SurveyMonkey and similar AARP proprietary tools

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Additional Requirements

• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgment in evaluation options to make sound decisions
• Home office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate home environment noise

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly range is $18 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, and $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.