Urban Leadership Fellows Program

The Urban Leadership Fellows (ULF) Program is a collaboration between The Municipal Forum of New York, Inc., and Futures and Options, which  enables New York City students to gain valuable hands-on work experience and training in the Municipal Finance industry. This immersive six week summer program exposes graduating high school seniors to the Municipal Finance industry through supported, paid summer internships. 

The ULF program emphasizes the following: internships and training in municipal finance, one-on-one mentorship, networking activities, and supplemental workshops. Each week focuses on one particular area of interest, including: bond school, issuer & financial advising, legal, rating agencies and insurers, investment banking, and investing.

The most beneficial aspect of the ULF Program was being able to step outside of my comfort zone. Throughout the program I was constantly being challenged in ways I never was before (public speaking, networking, etc.). Being able to challenge myself became exciting which is something I never thought I would say.

— Xin Qing (Sunny) Lu, 2024 Participant