Undergraduate Internships
Experience to Make a Difference
If you’re an undergraduate looking for meaningful research experiences focused on the environment and sustainability, you’ve come to the right place. Our internships aren’t about making coffee: they’re about getting into the field and making a difference.
We offer several types of internships each year, for both USC and non-USC students. Most internships are paid, and all include professional development and mentoring alongside field and lab work.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
The Wrigley Institute’s summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a 10-week, National Science Foundation-funded program focused on coastal ocean processes. Research topics vary from year to year. The program is open to undergraduates from any U.S. college or university.
Zinsmeyer Summer Research Program
The Zinsmeyer Summer Undergraduate Research Program provides research experiences in the social and natural sciences for students from USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences. Participants join existing faculty projects at USC’s downtown Los Angeles campus or the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island.
Environmental Communications Internship
This unique summer program provides training in science communication for undergraduates who are interested in environment- and sustainability-focused careers in fields such as journalism, graphic design, and filmmaking. Priority is given to students from USC Dornsife’s Environmental Studies Program, USC Annenberg, and USC School of Cinematic Arts.
Environmental Summer Award & Other Internships
The Wrigley Institute also offers supplemental funding to support students completing unpaid/underpaid internships outside USC, as well as a rotating list of individual internships throughout the academic year.