News Release
CNA Named One of the Top 100 Internship Programs of 2025
CNA is proud to announce its selection as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs of 2025, presented by WayUp and Yello. The annual Top 100 Internship Programs List, released on National Intern Day, recognizes employers that are leading the way for high-quality intern engagement, development, employment opportunities, and more.
“We are incredibly honored to make the Top 100 Internship Program list for 2025,” said CNA President and CEO Katherine McGrady. “Our distinctive program offers interns the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national and homeland security challenges and see what it’s like to work at CNA.”
With hundreds of companies competing and nearly 115,000 votes cast, earning a spot on this highly competitive national list is a significant achievement. Winners were selected based on a combination of public voting and assessments by industry experts, who scored programs based on key criteria, such as professional development, intern engagement, company culture, conversion opportunities, compensation, and unique program elements.
“We view our internship program as a solid investment in identifying and developing CNA’s future talent,” said Elisa Soto, CNA’s Chief People Officer. “Since 2017, CNA boasts an 84% intern-to-employee conversion rate, offering part or full-time positions to eight out of every ten interns that come through our program.”
“CNA does a fantastic job making interns feel fully integrated into project teams and engaged in meaningful work,” said Arielle Sher, an intern in CNA’s Strategic Initiatives office. “The program also includes unique experiences that immerse us in both CNA and D.C. culture—from trips to the White House and Capitol Hill to touring Navy ships in Norfolk and completing an obstacle course at Quantico. I’ve been truly impressed by how much this internship has contributed to my professional development.”
CNA’s internship program stood out for its commitment to offering valuable, hands-on experiences for students and early-career professionals. From robust mentorship opportunities to impactful project work, the program has earned praise for equipping interns with the skills and support they need to succeed in their careers. As CNA continues to invest in developing the next generation of leaders, this accolade reinforces CNA’s reputation as a top destination for early career talent.
See the full list of 2025 Top 100 Internship Programs: https://lnkd.in/eftGAwJx
CNA is a not-for-profit analytical organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. With nearly 700 scientists, analysts, and professional staff across the world, CNA's mission is to provide data-driven, innovative solutions to our nation's toughest problems. It operates the Center for Naval Analyses—the Department of the Navy’s federally funded research and development center (FFRDC)—as well as the Institute for Public Research. The Center for Naval Analyses provides objective analytics to inform the decisions of military leaders and ultimately improve the lethality and effectiveness of the joint force. The Institute for Public Research leverages data analytics and innovative methods to support federal, state, and local government officials as they work to advance national and homeland security.
Note to writers and editors: CNA is not an acronym and is correctly referenced as “CNA, an independent not-for-profit analytical organization.” Please do not refer to us as a think tank.