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A Look Back at Big Moments in 2023 for Philadelphia

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Before 2023 comes to an end, we wanted to reflect on events that have made a significant impact on Philadelphia and the surrounding region. This year was full of changes and excitement–from returning events and groundbreaking concerts to the election of new policymakers– the City has had its fair share of noteworthy moments. As we prepare for 2024, our team has compiled a list of events to look back on.

Philly’s 100th Mayor and transition team are announced

Philadelphia residents have made their voices heard and elected our 100th mayor. Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, will become the City’s first female mayor after winning the race against David Oh. Parker, a former city councilwoman, also served as a state representative for Northwest Philadelphia. She will assume her role on January 2, 2024 and in the meantime is building a transition team of business leaders and policy makers. We congratulate Mayor-elect Parker on her victory as well as all who have been selected for her transition team! Likewise, we thank outgoing Mayor Jim Kenney for his leadership and service to the City.

Collapse and repair of I-95 unfolds

In June, a significant portion of I-95 collapsed in the Northeast region of Philadelphia. The incident caused major traffic disruptions for commuters and commercial vehicles who were forced to detour through local neighborhoods. I-95 plays a major role in the transportation of commercial goods. This accident posed serious challenges in an already strained supply chain ecosystem. City, State, and Federal officials, however, were able to get the highway repaired in about a two-week period. Restoration of the downed portion of the highway was live streamed on the internet as construction workers and officials worked around the clock to help restore the road.

Construction begins on Penn’s Landing Park

In other news related to I-95, the project of capping a portion of the interstate began after a two-year delay. The goal of this project is to connect Old City to the Delaware riverfront, creating roughly 12 acres of new parkland. With the help of PennDOT, the project is expected to be completed in 2 years, with visible construction anticipated to be seen this coming spring. The cap will contribute to the master plan of the Delaware Riverfront along with two other amenities, the Spruce Street Harbor Park, and the Cherry Street Pier.

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé make waves

Singers Taylor Swift and Beyoncé both had highly anticipated shows come through the City this year. Taylor Swift completed three shows which spanned from May 12-14. Each of Swift’s shows were packed with fans. Those who could not secure tickets listened alongside concert goers from outside Lincoln Financial in the stadium district’s parking lots. Beyoncé also played to massive crowds at Lincoln Financial Field. She kicked off the U.S. leg of her Renaissance tour on July 12 right here in South Philly. Fans began lining up at the gates at 5:30 PM, hours before doors would open. SEPTA accommodated for eager fans by including 5 extra trains the weekend of Taylor Swift’s performances, along with extending late night regional rail services. Commuters who utilized SEPTA to go to Beyoncé’s concert saw similar accommodations, with an additional 10 trains added to the Broad Street Line that day to ease travel to and from the stadium.

The Eagles come close in Super Bowl LVII

The Philadelphia Eagles made it to Super Bowl LVII, going head-to-head against the Kansas City Chiefs. This also marked the first time that brothers have squared off against each other in the 57 years since the Super Bowl Began with both Jason (Eagles) and Travis (Chiefs) Kelce stealing the show. The Eagles were unfortunately defeated, but a rematch may be in the near future. According to The Athletic, the Chiefs and the Eagles are once more favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII. Go Birds!

The Philadelphia Flower Show returns indoors

The Philadelphia Flower Show made its return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For the two years prior, the Flower Show was relocated to South Philadelphia’s FDR Park due of ongoing health concerns related to COVID-19. With the exception of 2021 and 2022, the Flower Show has been held at the Convention Center since 1996. ESI was commissioned in 2022 by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to calculate the impact of the show returning indoors. The report showcases the local and regional value of the show, but also broader impacts, like increased public transit use, small and minority business growth opportunities, and increasing equitable growth in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Center City District continues its recovery

Center City District’s recovery has been steadily seeing a positive recovery in the amount of activity occurring downtown. Center City is a vital hub of employment, tourist attraction, and a place many residents call home. The arts, retail, restaurants, and more have all contributed to the recovery of Center City. Additionally, the number of residents has risen 26% along with tourism and office workers coming back to 70% of pre-pandemic levels according to KWY News.

The snowless streak continues, but maybe not for long

The Philadelphia region has gone more than 667 days without substantial snowfall, meaning the City has seen less than one inch or more of snow. However, things could change dramatically this winter. The region is predicted to see around 25 total inches of snowfall. This is low compared to other parts of Pennsylvania such as Montrose which is expected to see up to 85 inches of snow, and other parts of southwestern Pennsylvania that could potentially see 120 inches this season.

SEPTA Key Advantage builds momentum

The City of Philadelphia became a participating member in the SEPTA Key Advantage program at the start of September. The city’s participation is a win for city employees and SEPTA. The Key Advantage program seeks to rebuild public transit ridership in the wake of the pandemic, while also providing a new benefit to city employees. Institutions such as Wawa, Drexel University, Penn Medicine, and FMC are also participating members of the program, offering all access passes to employees and students.

Philly draws closer to celebrating the nation’s 250-year anniversary

Philadelphia250, a non-profit organization formed to plan the celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary makes steady progress in planning the festivities as America approaches this significant milestone. ESI sponsored the second annual countdown earlier this month with the event including live music showcasing the past, present, and future of the City. Similar celebrations will be held in 2026 with plans for an Independence Day Parade much larger than the yearly event the City regularly holds. In July, Vice President Frank Robinson sat down with President and CEO of Philadelphia250 Danielle DiLeo Kim to discuss what led her to this role and how equity and inclusion will be celebrated during the 250th anniversary.

 

Maggie Jiang | [email protected]

Maggie Jiang is a current third year student attending Drexel University working as an intern with the Business Development & Marketing team at ESI. She anticipates graduating in 2026 with a degree in marketing. 

Light Reads: Thanksgiving 2023

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In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Econsult Solutions wishes to show its appreciation! We would like to thank our colleagues and clients for their support and trust, and look forward to continuing to provide the highest levels of service into the new year and beyond. To celebrate the holiday, we have prepared a list of light reads that include recent articles and reports produced by ESI, along with fun events happening in the Philadelphia region over the long weekend, and the latest current events.

The Latest from Present Value

The Case for Lowering the Voting Age – Jessica Yu & Maggie Jiang

Moving Cities: Montreal – Lechuan Huang

The Importance of Down-Ballot Races – John LaVaccare

Why Leadership Programs Like GPLEX are Good for Economic and Civic Vitality – Frank Robinson

The Impact of Predictive Policing – Patrick Darcy & Samriddhi Khare

 

Recently Completed Projects

Opportunity Lives Here: An Economic Development Master Plan for Delaware’s Three Rivers Area

The Economic and Social Impact of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Athletics

The Economic, Environmental and Public Health Impacts of the Trans Canada Trail

 

Thanksgiving Reading List

How the “Lock-in Effect” is Helping Shape Today’s Housing Market

Surveillance: We’re All Just Avatars in Microsoft’s AI World

The Electric Revolution Is Coming for Your Lawn Mower

CHOP continues King of Prussia expansion with $24.5M office building purchase

Amtrak’s 30th Street Station redevelopment price swells to $550M, timeline pushed back 

 

Activities, Shopping, Dining

Check out the hottest new restaurants in Philadelphia this Fall from the curated list, courtesy of Visit Philly.

Support small businesses on Small Business Saturday.

The Thanksgiving Day Parade is returning with it’s best floats to town.

Finally, here are 35 other things to possibly do this holiday.

 

Charitable Causes

ACCT Philadelphia provides temporary shelter for the family member we cannot forget about, our furry friends.

South Philadelphia Community Fridge provides access to fresh and healthy food to people in need throughout the community.

In the spirit of giving, discover worthy charitable causes and learn how to give back on Giving Tuesday.

Philadelphia Magazine has also put together a list of possible volunteering opportunities.

 

 

Maggie Jiang | [email protected]

Maggie Jiang is a current third year student attending Drexel University working as an intern with the Business Development & Marketing team at ESI. She anticipates graduating in 2026 with a degree in marketing.

 

 

 

The City of Philadelphia Joins SEPTA Key Advantage: What That Means For City Employees

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Earlier this month, the City of Philadelphia officially became the newest participating member of the SEPTA Key Advantage program through an appropriation in the city’s FY 2024 budget. The city’s participation is a win for city employees and SEPTA. At a time where a challenge such as filling vacant spots exists, the Key Advantage program seeks to rebuild ridership on the system, encourage transit ridership, and build upon sustainable transportation in Philadelphia. This bold-forward looking policy choice by city officials becomes a step in trying to solve the challenge.

About the SEPTA Key Advantage Employer Program

SEPTA Key Advantage is a universal transit program where participating institutions purchase monthly all-access SEPTA passes for all of their employees. Through universal participation, employers can purchase the pass at a reduced price point, existing riders receive a valuable benefit, and new riders are introduced to the system. The program launched in May 2022 and includes major private employers like Penn Medicine, Drexel University, Wawa, and FMC.

The Key Advantage program has been a crucial part of SEPTA’s ridership recovery strategy, as the agency adapts to changes in travel demand brought about by the increase in worker flexibility in the post-pandemic environment. For participating employers, the program allows them to provide a valuable employee benefit at a time of increased competition for labor, to encourage sustainable commuting, and a means to support their efforts to encourage the return to in-person activity.

City of Philadelphia Employees

The City of Philadelphia included participation in Key Advantage in the FY 2024 budget proposed by the Mayor and it was approved by City Council. As of September 2023, all-access passes are available to about 22,000 city employees at no cost to them. This new benefit comes at a time when the City is struggling to attract and retain workers, with approximately 1 in 5 positions unfilled. Providing transit access will enhance the city’s attractiveness as an employer, while also encouraging transit use and reduced car travel among the city workforce.

Additional Key Advantage Programs

In addition to City employees, Philadelphia has launched a zero-fare pilot program through Key Advantage that will benefit an estimated 25,000 residents living in poverty. Residents living up to 150% of the poverty line will be randomly selected and offered all-access passes at no cost, with a research and tracking program in place to assess program impacts on economic and quality of life outcomes.

SEPTA has also launched a UPass version of Key Advantage to enable colleges and universities to provide all-access transit passes to students. This fall, Swarthmore College joined as the first participating institution. This program will help to build greater familiarity with the SEPTA network among college students, potentially increasing lifetime ridership among the many college students who stay in the Philadelphia region post-graduation.

Program Foundations

SEPTA is not alone in developing universal pass approaches, with similar programs operated by peer agencies in regions like Seattle, Minneapolis, and Boston. In 2020, at the nadir of ridership, SEPTA asked ESI to research peer city programs, analyze pricing models, and provide strategic recommendations and implementation support for the Key Advantage program. As the program has evolved, ESI has continued to support SEPTA with analysis, implementation support, and development of additional program models.

During the initial employer pilot, SEPTA and ESI quickly discovered that the logistics of providing information and support to help a large-scale workforce to register for the program was one of the greatest challenges to program success. To address this crucial step, SEPTA engaged Jawnt, a Philadelphia-based technology platform, to serve a benefits administrator. Jawnt’s technology solutions provide support for employers and employees in signing up for and managing the program over time, greatly reducing frictions in the ability of employees to capitalize on the benefit.

ESI and Jawnt’s engagement in Key Advantage extends beyond our consulting work: ESI is one of the founding participants in the Key Advantage small business program, working in concert with Jawnt as our transit benefits administrator.

Looking to enroll in Key Advantage? Visit jawntpass.com/key-advantage to learn more about the program and how your organization can participate.

 

Ethan Conner-Ross | [email protected]

Ethan Conner-Ross is a Senior Vice President and Principal of ESI. His practice areas include public policy, transportation, tourism, economic development, and strategic planning. Mr. Conner-Ross is an experienced project leader who brings cross-disciplinary skills and a public sector perspective to his engagements. He has led a range of projects for ESI helping governmental, quasi-governmental, and private sector organizations maximize and articulate public benefits.

 

Leo Walsh | [email protected]

Leo is the Customer Success Manager at Jawnt. Over the last year, he and Jawnt have helped thousands of Philadelphia employees enroll in SEPTA’s Key Advantage program, in addition to Jawnt’s other fleet of transit benefit offerings (Indego, PATCO, NJ Transit, Amtrak, etc.). Leo also contributes to Jawnt’s blog, where he enjoys telling the story of Philadelphia’s transit system through the lens of the humans that ride it every day. He loves riding his bicycle, catching painted turtles, and watching the Minnesota Timberwolves play basketball.

A Clash of Tradition and Economics: How Changing Media Markets Shape the College Football Landscape

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2023 has been marked by a whirlwind of conference changes among the NCAA’s “Power 5” (P5) athletic conferences. These include the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big Ten (Midwest), the Big 12 (Great Plains + Texas), the Pacific Coast Conference (PAC 10, 12, or 2, depending on when you asked), and the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Originally, these conferences were structured around geographical considerations to accommodate the nation’s most prestigious athletic programs. While this geographical orientation remains relevant for most collegiate sports, the dominant driving force behind these changes are the financial incentives of having a football program that is a legitimate national championship contender. Few things exemplify this “cash is king” mindset better than the cause-and-effect relationship between the industry’s market capitalization and the continuous inter-conference activity. 

Currently, each conference negotiates the broadcasting rights to their competitions as a coordinated body. The annual revenue from these contracts increases tremendously from contract to contract, due to the growing cap of media and broadcast markets. As the amount of revenue grows so does the unwieldiness of the conferences. Conference realignments, like those that have sent the University of Oklahoma and the University Texas to the Southeastern Conference, UCLA and USC to the midwestern BIG10, have also changed the PAC-12 to the PAC-2. The orientation of the conferences and the geographic location of members always changes dramatically as the competition for broadcasting contracts and advertising dollars intensifies. 

In fact, in 1984 a landmark legal battle, NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, brings a precedent that emphasizes the legal and economic factors at play into sharp focus. The backdrop for this lawsuit was the rapid expansion of the telecommunications industry in the early 80s, when only 8% of homes had access to basic cable, a number that continued to grow throughout the decade. Up to that point, the NCAA had maintained a hands-off approach to regulating the televising of athletic events, except for football. In 1981, the NCAA struck separate deals with ABC and CBS, allowing them to televise games and pay participating member institutions. Concurrently, the College Football Association (CFA), established in 1977 by 63 major college football programs not participating in the PAC and Big Ten, sought to advocate for their interests in TV network negotiations. The CFA’s bold move to secure a deal with NBC raised the ire of the NCAA, which then threatened disciplinary action against CFA members. 

Ultimately, the NCAA was found guilty under the Sherman (1890) and Clayton (1914) Antitrust Acts for fixing telecast prices, employing the threat of sanctions as a boycott against potential competitors, and artificially limiting televised production of college football. This verdict was upheld in The Court of Appeals, which deemed these activities as “illegal per se price-fixing” with no justifications sufficient to save the plan in terms of promoting competition. 

The consequences of this legal decision were swift. Over the next 8 years the CFA, PAC and Big Ten inked multiple deals totaling a value upward of $350 million for the exclusive broadcast rights to their college football games. Then in 1992, the Bowl Coalition emerged, a system in which two teams were selected to compete for a national championship. This was in response to two consecutive years of co-national champions that were decided using the National Poll system, which was determined by the opinions of various polls. It was at this point that teams began to exit the CFA for a variety of reasons and subsequently, fault lines in the college football landscape grew more pronounced.  

As demand for broadcasting rights increased, so did the available revenue. By 1995, the CFA was disintegrating, and by 1997, it was formally dissolved. During this same period, championship procedures underwent further changes, leading to the Bowl Alliance system (1995-1997), which offered an $8.5 million boost in ad revenue for championship game participants. By this point any hope for a centralized College Football publishing agreement had been fully extinguished. 

In 1998, the stakes increased again as the championship series underwent another transformation, becoming the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). This integrated the existing bowl games from the “Alliance” and “Coalition” and lead to a selection committee that determined placements for the top 8-10 teams. It also ensured that all participating institutions recognized the BCS Bowl winner as the “National Champion.” Television partnerships shifted from ABC to Fox in 2006 and then to ESPN in 2009.  

During this period, market capitalization and actors within the industry underwent considerable change. In 2007 the Big Ten developed their own exclusive TV networks capturing a massive share (50%+) of the college football market. Inevitably each conference followed suit and by 2012 the competition came back closer to equilibrium.  

This system persisted until 2014 when the current College Football Playoff (CFP), a system that endures to today, was established. Between 2023 and 2025, broadcasting licenses expire, and new, massive deals are set to begin for the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC. In a situation similar to the CFA’s in the 90s, the PAC is dissolving. During the negotiation process for new broadcast contracts, the PAC failed to secure a deal. This leaves all but two of the former conference members scattered among the other four conferences. Because the PAC was the only conference geographically centered on the west coast, its former members will travel extended distances to play their new intra-conference opponents. Additionally, the playoff expands from 4 to 12 teams in 2024, which will inevitably inflate the value of the contracts. 

The economic repercussions of these moves can be substantial, as the absence of major events like Power 5 college football games not only impacts sports but also takes away jobs and draws spenders from far and wide. A recent Perryman Group study estimated that the University of Texas alone contributes approximately 30% of the total economic activity in the Big 12. The implications of such a significant presence by its movement to the SEC, will impact employment, consumerism, tourism, and general industry on a massive scale. It is worth asking whether the impacts of these lost economic engines are offset by the increase in revenue that is brought in to support these institutions and the communities around them that they anchor. 

As the market for college football continues to grow, the media will continue to expand, and the value of teams and players will follow. Will the traditions of college football hold strong or be completely uprooted by the dollars that are at stake? In 2021 Texas lawmakers filled a bill to block the University of Texas from leaving the Big 12, setting a precedent for legal actions that are sure to continue. 

Scroll through the images below to see conference realignments throughout the years and the participants’ relative proportion of the college football market cap. Hover over each image to learn more.

 

Justin Hill | [email protected]

Justin Hill is an Analyst at ESI. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.S. in Political Science and has experience in data visualization and management, as well as in the legal and real estate industries.

Is the Commonwealth Positioning Itself to Move up the Ladder of Economic Competitiveness?

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The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently announced improvements to a key economic development program, the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Among other efficiencies, the Commonwealth has streamlined the application process by replacing the 22-tab Application & Business Plan with a more efficient, 10-section fillable Project Management Proposal post-award application process. Ultimately, the changes will provide a more efficient, effective, and transparent process for grant awardees and help to find quicker ways to disperse needed capital to stimulate economic activity. 

However, improvements to RACP are reflective of a much larger story, the Commonwealth’s recent commitment to make Pennsylvania a leader in economic development, innovation, and job creation. According to CNBC’s 2023 Top State for Business Ranking, Pennsylvania currently ranks 15th overall in the nation for a place to do business.​ It is also interesting to note that 6 of the top 10 states are located in the South with none in the Northeast. 

States find themselves in a position where they are competing regionally, nationally, and even globally. This is particularly true with Northeast states, who have traditionally been the primary hub for economic activity nationally. According to a Bloomberg report, the U.S. economy is experiencing a wealth migration towards the South. The report states that approximately 2.2 million people moved to the Southeast in just over two years, which is roughly equivalent to the population of Houston. The entire South, from Florida to Texas and north to Kentucky, is where businesses are flocking to, jobs are being created, and homes are being bought. The Southeast accounted for more than two-thirds of all job growth across the country since early 2020, almost doubling its pre-pandemic share. The South’s contribution to the national GDP has also surpassed that of the Northeast for the first time in government figures going back to the 1990s. The report also estimates that about $100 billion in new income flowed into the Southeast in 2020 and 2021 alone, while the Northeast lost about $60 billion based on an analysis of recently published Internal Revenue Service data.​

Pennsylvania, along with its fellow Northeastern states, find themselves in a position where they have to make investments that will not only retain jobs and population, but allow for innovation and new growth. The pivot that states must make to be more competitive, as well as have a more prosperous economic outlook, will only occur by implementing policy reforms and passing bold budgets to meet the moment.  

The Commonwealth is attempting to do both to enhance its economic position. For example, in January 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed an Executive Order to improve licensing, permitting, and certification processes, beginning a comprehensive review of how long it takes agencies to process applications and how workers and businesses apply online. This was done to help make government more efficient and speed up processes in order to get needed grants and capital to businesses, nonprofits, and government partners to accelerate economic investment.   

Pennsylvania’s $45.5 billion dollar budget, which was passed in July 2023, is being touted as a financial plan designed to spur job creation, fosters innovation, and provide the funding to make the Commonwealth more competitive on a national scale. This budget includes investment in a wide range of areas including infrastructure, housing, education, workforce development, agriculture, and community & economic development. Highlights from the budget include: 

  • A $50 million dollar investment in the Whole-Home Repairs program, taking a burden off the shoulders of those living paycheck to paycheck while ensuring they can afford to maintain their homes.
  • $20 million dollars to fund the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program to invest in small minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses in the Commonwealth and provide sustainable support.
  • $13 million dollars to make Pennsylvania more competitive on a national scale and help the Commonwealth become a leader in economic development, innovation, and job creation. 
  • $2 million dollars in the Municipal Assistance Program to help the local, municipal, and county governments that are on the frontlines of supporting their communities and a $1.25 million increase for the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) to help local governments create long-term plans for financial success. 
  • $1 million dollars in the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program, which connects Pennsylvania’s universities with businesses to spur innovation and job creation here in the Commonwealth. 

Although the Northeast’s big cities including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. are powerful drivers of economic growth that have traditionally kept the region’s economies ahead of the South’s, we have reached a tipping point. The combined GDP of Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas surpassed the GDP of the Northeast region that includes Washington, D.C. and the 11 states stretching from Maryland up to Maine. In 2005, the Northeast’s share of national GDP was 23.5%, while the six-state South’s was 21.8%. In 2022, the numbers flipped: The South’s share was 23.8% while the Northeast’s was 22.4%​.

In order to maintain competitiveness, Pennsylvania and its fellow Northeast states must position themselves to reform economic strategies including tax policies and regulations, as well as make smart investments in infrastructure, economic stimulus, and quality of life assets (housing, environment, education, etc.). A new way forward will hopefully encourage more people and businesses to follow their neighbors, customers, and suppliers to economic prosperity in their respective states. Can the Commonwealth position itself to move from number 15 into the top ten states to do business? Only time will tell, but unequivocally we know that innovative and decisive action will be needed for this to come into fruition.  

 

Frank RobinsonFrank Robinson | [email protected] 

Frank Robinson is a vice president at ESI. Mr. Robinson has been a leader in the economic development and sustainable development industries for over 20 years, working with corporate, government and nonprofit clients, banks and credit unions, as well as community development financial institutions (CDFI) and small businesses.

The Exit Interview: Final Thoughts from our Summer 2023 Interns

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As the summer winds down, ESI must say goodbye to our skilled and diligent Summer interns. Before they depart, whether back to school or for other career opportunities, we sat down with several of them to discuss their time with the firm, reflect on their experience, and offer final thoughts on what was learned. Below is their commentary.

What was your favorite project you worked on and why?

Patrick: My favorite project was the climate resiliency index I worked on with my colleague, Samriddhi Khare. The project allowed us to use skills we developed in school to produce novel research to assist policymakers in future planning decisions.

Mohanish: I thoroughly enjoyed working on ESI’s project with the Navy Yard during my time with the firm. It was the primary focus of my work throughout my internship. Additionally, I found it fascinating to transform raw data into compelling and meaningful narrative.

Norah: I really enjoyed working on the marketing efforts highlighting staff and interns. It was fun to see everyone’s plans after college and what they were the most excited for when it came to their internship at ESI. I enjoyed managing the social media accounts and looking back on our intern highlights after they were all published.

Atara: My favorite project that I worked on focused on looking at alternative development scenarios for a former airfield. This project required me to delve into a completely new industry and truly expand my skills. I appreciated being able to contribute to the project and a community.

Athena: The airfield project Atara mentioned was also probably my favorite. It was the first big project that I got to see through an almost-final draft stage, which was exciting. It focuses on the redevelopment of the site and various proposed scenarios for what could be., It was fun to learn about a whole sub-culture that I never knew existed. After preliminary research and building a genuine curiosity, I found myself really engaged with the project proposal and analysis.

What would you want to learn more about if you had more time?

Unnati: I would have loved to learn more about input/output modeling in platforms like IMPLAN. I am super interested in the data modeling that ESI conducts and feel as though it is the backbone of almost all the firm’s studies. By understanding the modeling process, I would have developed a more conceptual understanding of the economic impact studies I worked on. I would have also loved to experience working on a project from start to finish, as it would have been really rewarding to see my research delivered to our clients in the form of a final report!

Joey: I would love to dive deeper into GIS mapping.

Atara: I would love to gain some deeper understanding about how the multipliers have been developed for input output modeling. I have gotten to understand how to use IMPLAN, and how we model, but I would love to have a greater understanding of the economic research that goes into developing the program.

Athena: I’ve been trying to develop stronger mapping skills, especially in an applied career environment. There’s always a slight difference between learning skills in a classroom and on the job— and so it’s been a great opportunity to learn from people here. I’m lucky enough to have more time here at ESI, and so this is where I hope to grow in the future.

Mohanish: I would want to see a project through completely. Given my internship time frame, that was difficult.

Patrick: I would want to be exposed to additional exciting projects and further develop my skills. In particular, I would like to learn more about data analysis and have more opportunities to test my knowledge.

Norah: I would’ve liked to dig deeper into the analytical side of marketing. For example, when’s the best time to post content or who is engaging via social media or email.

Do you feel prepared for the future after interning at ESI?

Mohanish: In some sense yes. It has given me a lot of confidence and the internship experience itself was invaluable.

Norah: I do feel prepared for my future. I believe that the Business Development and Marketing team gave me all the resources to further my knowledge in the marketing field, while also helping me grow as a person.

Patrick: I am prepared for the future after my time with ESI. I have had the opportunity to develop my skills and work with talented individuals who have helped me grow personally and professionally.

Unnati: Through this internship, I feel prepared to step into an economics, finance, or data analytics role at a firm. I learned a lot of technical skills that are highly transferable across industries, like data cleaning in R and Excel, input/output modeling, mapping, and more. In addition, this internship taught me a lot about teamwork, collaboration, and leadership. I am leaving with a better understanding of how to be both a team player and a leader in corporate team environments.

Atara: I feel much more prepared for the future after my co-op at ESI. My time here has given me skills, shown me what skills I want to get, and has also revealed to me the variety of professional and education pathways that can help me accomplish my goals. I have truly gotten exposure to a variety of industries and rolls during these past few months.

Joey: Yes. As someone interested in urban planning and local government, ESI was the perfect place for me to learn more about the city and interact with many planning adjacent fields.

Athena: Absolutely! I’ll be staying with ESI as an intern this Fall and a big part of that decision was based on how much I’ve learned already. Not only have I learned the ins-and-outs of policy specific topics, but there’s a whole list of hard skills and platforms that I’ve learned here. I’m really grateful to have built these transferable skills and see myself continuing to grow in the months ahead.

What is your favorite memory from this internship?

Joey: Our spontaneous lunches in Rittenhouse Square!

Patrick: I do not necessarily have a specific favorite memory. However, I have most enjoyed working with many different talented people at ESI and collaborating with them.

Athena: The staff lunches have been such a great way to connect with the entire team. Everyone comes from such different backgrounds and career experiences that there is so much to learn. At the same time, it can feel like a small world. There are personal and professional opportunities that I’ve learned about through conversation here, as well as classmates and professors that I didn’t know previously.

Norah: My favorite memory is anything that involved me being able to get to know my team!

Atara: My favorite memory has been our company walking tour of Center City, Philadelphia. Not only did I get to learn more about my coworkers, but I got to learn about the various projects that ESI has helped enable throughout the city that I know and love.

Unnati: My favorite memory is hanging out in Rittenhouse Square with fellow interns and analysts! This was always a great way to get to know everyone in a non-office setting.

Mohanish: The Wednesday lunches. It is a great thing that the firm does. It helps build relationships and improves company culture in my view. I interacted with a lot of people through these lunches.

What advice would you give new interns coming to ESI?

Norah: I would tell the new interns to take in every minute you are here. Everyone at ESI is not only extremely intelligent, but also welcoming. It’s a great place to work at and is filled by people who want to see you succeed and are here to help you every step of the way.

Atara: I would tell future interns to take advantage of each opportunity presented to you during your time here. Talk to your coworkers, step out of your comfort zone and take on projects in a new area, sit in while coworkers are practicing skills you are interested in learning, and just be eager to learn.

Patrick: Take every opportunity you get to learn from your colleagues. The staff of ESI has a breadth of experience across many disciplines, and I advise new interns to work hard and learn as much as possible during their time here.

Mohanish: Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice. Everyone here is extremely supportive and welcoming.

Joey: Ask for more work and ask for help!

Athena: Try and get the most out of your time here, because everyone is super willing to give you the opportunity to learn and grow. If there’s a certain skill that you want to develop or a type of work that you’re particularly interested in, be sure to vocalize that! ESI’s work is so varied that there’s room to grow in a million different directions.

Unnati: Take every opportunity to get involved with new projects. I think the best thing about ESI’ internship program is that interns have the opportunity to work on multiple projects at once. By always being involved with different projects, you gain exposure to a diverse range of work that the firm does. The more projects you can be a part of, the more skills you will be able to practice. In addition, this is a great way to work with many different people on staff and learn from those around you!

 

ESI would like to thank all of our interns for their hard work, dedication, and positive impact on the firm this summer. All of your contributions have helped us grow stronger in one way or another. We are excited to watch you succeed through future opportunities. Best of luck in the future as we know our paths will cross again!

 

Norah Serverson | [email protected]

Norah Serverson is a Marketing Assistant at Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) supporting the Business Development and Marketing Department. Ms. Serverson is currently a student at La Salle University studying Marketing and Communication.