Strategic Foresight Intern

About the job

You are the person most likely to inspire eye rolls from your friends when you launch into a story on the most obscure topics. You have a hard time explaining to your family what your deepest aspirations really are. You will sometimes realize that an entire day has passed, and you have been immersed in a series of academic articles and YouTube videos on the most esoteric of subjects.

If you are prone to being constantly curious about the world, then you may be a great candidate for the foresight internship at Bigwidesky. Should that be the case, take a gander at the following and respond accordingly.

Job Description:

• OVERALL: Support Bigwidesky’s foresight vision to inspire businesses and communities to increase openness to possibility and creating systems that support human needs.
• Leverage your experiences and discipline areas of study to inform prioritized foresight projects.
• Assist our lead futurist in the development of horizon scanning and research activities.
• Develop reports on emerging trends and signals for cross-functional strategy teams.
• Collaborate with lead futurists and strategists in the development of Bigwidesky innovations and communications activities.
• Support the facilitation of client strategy and ideation sessions.

Education:

You are likely pursuing an MBA-like program, or you are near completion of one of those programs. This is not a requirement of the position. The idea is that you have some experiences with business systems. Evidence of your appreciation for philosophy, history, communications, literature, design, and the arts is a plus.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Qualitative and quantitative research experiences. It’s a plus if you have some experiences at evaluating insights.
• Development of frameworks for collecting data. You have created taxonomies ahead of a search for insights.
• Excellent at the arranging of 26 characters for the purposes of communicating complex ideas into their simplest form. This excellence should also apply to abilities at expressing ideas verbally.
• You have strong project management and time management skills.
• Deep understanding (and a curiosity) about emerging technology and potentially disruptive trends.

Questions you may have:

How long is the internship?

A minimum of 90 days. This position can convert to something more permanent should that align for all parties involved.

What is the scope of the work?

We have at least three main projects with 30-day timelines for their implementation. However, we would co-create your priorities against your goals and Bigwidesky needs. Your days would involve research, reporting, production of strategy briefs, collaboration with colleagues, and coordination with people in the Bigwidesky network.

What kind of training will I get?

You will be provided with an average of 10 hours per week with foresight coursework. In addition, you will job shadow our lead futurist.

Paid?

Yes. Yes, it is. Hourly. $25 per hour.

You are not a good fit for the internship if:

1. You have another full-time gig or internship.
2. You are just looking to check the “internship” box on a form.
3. You are unwilling to be open to coaching.
4. You are unwilling to work in a collaborative format and have your ideas challenged.

What is the selection process and how can I ensure my greatest chance of success?

1. Read the website and the articles associated with strategic foresight. It will be difficult to know for yourself if you are a fit otherwise. Find the vibe. www.bigwidesky.com
2. Apply via this LinkedIn thing.
3. Should you meet the criteria, you will have a 45-minute interview with Bigwidesky lead. (Be prepared to discuss your aspirations and how you believe the Bigwidesky internship would help to get you there.)
4. A select number of applicants will be asked to complete a 30-minute foresight exercise. This is not something for which you can prepare directly. But any amount of research into strategic foresight will help to inspire you.

About Bigwidesky:

Bigwidesky is a human business consultancy that helps organizations design integral solutions to crises of change. Using strategic foresight, creative communications, human-centered design, organization strategy, and technology, we help leaders traverse the unknown to create greater alignment, communication, systems, and engagement. More at www.bigwidesky.com.