HCC Student Research Assistant

Hagerstown Community College; Hagerstown (MD); On-site; USD 20,664 - 24,796; Part time

Job summary

Hagerstown Community College (HCC) seeks a Student Research Assistant to support the Economic Research Center with regional data analysis, economic impact studies, and applied research. You will help prepare written products for internal and external partners and ensure work is accurate and deliverables are stakeholder-ready.

This temporary, part-time role requires current enrollment as a student (6+ credits).

Qualifications

• Must be a current HCC student with enrollment in a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
• Preference for maintaining a 2.5 GPA or higher in the last completed semester.
• Reliable, deadline-driven, and eager to learn in economic data analytics.
• Strong attention to detail with willingness to learn new tools and methods.
• Proficient with MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint (basic formatting and organization).
• Clear written communication and ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to work independently and also collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist with regional economic and demographic data collection, organization, and analysis.
• Support economic impact analysis tasks (data inputs, assumptions documentation, tables, charts, and summary outputs).
• Clean, organize, and maintain datasets and project files (spreadsheets, folders, and shared drives).
• Create tables, charts, and draft visuals for reports and presentations.
• Conduct basic research and literature or source reviews to support project work.
• Assist with drafting, proofreading, and formatting reports, briefs, and slide decks.
• Participate in project check ins and communicate progress, questions, and deadlines clearly.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality when working with partner information and internal materials.

Skills

Reliability

Deadline-oriented

Interest in economics

Attention to detail

MS Excel

MS Word

MS PowerPoint

Written communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Current HCC student (enrolled in ≥6 credits per semester; GPA ≥2.5 in last semester)

Job description

SUMMARY STATEMENT

The HCC Student Research Assistant supports the Economic Research Center by assisting with regional data analysis, economic impact analysis, applied research, and written products for internal and external partners. The Research Assistant works closely with staff and collaborators and helps ensure projects are completed accurately, on time, and in a format suitable for public facing and stakeholder audiences.

This is a temporary, part-time position for 8-10 hours per week on average.

Must be a current HCC student.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

A. The HCC Student Research Assistant reports directly to and is responsible to Economics Lead Faculty.

B. The HCC Student Research Assistant coordinates most closely with Economics Faculty in Business and Technology; Community Business Partners.

DUTIES

• Assist with regional economic and demographic data collection, organization, and analysis.
• Support economic impact analysis tasks (data inputs, assumptions documentation, tables, charts, and summary outputs).
• Clean, organize, and maintain datasets and project files (spreadsheets, folders, and shared drives).
• Create tables, charts, and draft visuals for reports and presentations.
• Conduct basic research and literature or source reviews to support project work.
• Assist with drafting, proofreading, and formatting reports, briefs, and slide decks.
• Participate in project check ins and communicate progress, questions, and deadlines clearly.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality when working with partner information and internal materials.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Preference of current HCC student, enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, and unless first-semester student, have a 2.5 GPA during the last semester attended.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be reliable and able to meet deadlines consistently.
• Interest in economics, public policy, business, or data analytics.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn new tools and methods.
• Competency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (including basic formatting and organization).
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and follow instructions.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating with a team.

Preferred (not required):

• Prior coursework in economics, statistics, business, or data analysis.
• Comfort working with charts, pivot tables, or basic data cleaning in Excel.