IT Strategy Intern

Working for Equity Residential (EQR), an industry-leading multi-family REIT headquartered in downtown Chicago, means being part of a community that strives to provide the best in apartment living, speaks boldly about innovation, and inspires creativity in how we work together. Our portfolio of high-quality properties in growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, Dallas, and Atlanta, to name a few – provides homes where people most want to live. We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That's why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity – a company that knows how to Live Remarkably.

OBJECTIVE OF POSITION

The IT Strategy Intern will support Equity Residential's Information Technology team by contributing to strategic initiatives that align technology capabilities with business goals. This role offers hands-on experience in technology planning, project coordination, and process improvement within a large-scale, enterprise environment.

The intern will gain exposure to how a Fortune 500 REIT leverages technology to drive operational excellence, enhance resident experiences, and deliver business value through innovation and data-driven decision-making.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Support the IT Strategy team in developing and managing strategic plans, technology roadmaps, and key performance indicators that align with enterprise priorities.

Participate in research and analysis of emerging technologies, digital trends, and best practices to inform recommendations for EQR's IT initiatives.

Assist with the preparation of presentations, reports, and communication materials for leadership related to technology initiatives and business alignment.

Help coordinate and document IT strategy projects, including milestones, dependencies, risks, and stakeholder feedback.

Partner with cross-functional teams—including Centralized Operations, Data Analytics, and IT Infrastructure—to support projects that improve efficiency, automation, and user experience.

Analyze data and compile insights to help evaluate the success and impact of IT initiatives.

Contribute to continuous improvement of IT governance processes, tools, and documentation.

WHO YOU ARE

Analytical and Strategic. You think critically, interpret data effectively, and connect technology trends to business outcomes.

Collaborative and Communicative. You enjoy working in team environments and clearly convey ideas across both technical and non-technical audiences.

Curious and Adaptable. You're eager to learn about technology strategy and its role in driving business success.

Organized and Detail-Oriented. You manage multiple priorities and follow through on commitments with precision.

REQUIREMENTS

Prefer rising Junior or Senior students pursuing a degree in Information Systems, Business, Data Analytics, Computer Science, or a related field.

Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a hybrid, fast-paced environment.

Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI or Tableau) preferred.

Exposure to project management or business analysis concepts is a plus.

Must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States (we do not offer this program under OPT or CPT or sponsor work visas).

LOCATION & PAY

This is a hybrid internship with four days per week of required on-site participation (Monday to Thursday) at our downtown Chicago office. Equity Residential's corporate summer intern program is a full-time, 10 week paid internship.

Hourly Pay Rate: $20.50/hour

Relocation is not provided for this internship.