WORK-BASED LEARNING SAN DIEGO

Internships and Enrichment Programs are an excellent opportunity to explore your career and major interests, as well as add to your resume. Internships and Enrichment programs can also be competitive and hard to come by. The most important thing to remember about these experiences, is that it is not the quantity, but the quality of the experience that you have had. Just like with volunteering, colleges/universities and employers would rather see that you have given your time to one or two organizations and grown from those experiences, as opposed to 200 hours of service with 30 different organizations.

What to consider?

• Is the internship related to my future major or career path?
• What is my availability?
• WIll I need transportation to an internship or is this something I can do remotely?
• Is this internship meaningful and will it help me grow?

Let's start with Networking:

• Ask your teachers for connections in your field of interest?
• Do your parents/guardians know anyone?
• Do you have any friends or family that can connect you?
• Current employers and/or co-workers
• Contacts from an organization you have volunteered or your church (if applicable)
• Have you met your neighbors?
• Other safe social media contacts

Students often receive letters inviting them or stating they were selected to attend leadership conferences or programs. Most programs have a cost to attend, so remember that you will need to research the organizations to make an educated decision about the benefits of the program.

Make the most of your school break by getting paid work experience in an industry you care about.

The School Break Externship program provides up to 100 high school and college students ages 16-24 with paid, short term work experiences. Selected participants will receive work readiness training to prepare to work in a professional setting. Then, they’ll be partnered with top employers in San Diego during winter and/or spring break.Past participants have worked in sectors like health care, education, law, retail, social services and more!

https://workforce.org/externship/

Learn more about these opportunities and how to apply on the City's website. Sign up to get notices of internships in the following industry sectors

• Art, Media and Entertainment Sector
• Building and Construction Trades Sector
• Business and Finance Sector
• Education, Child Development, and Family Services Sector
• Energy, Environment and Utilities Sector
• Engineering and Architecture Sector
• Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation Sector
• Information and Communication Technologies Sector
• Public Services Sector
• Transportation Sector

Interest in STEM, particularly engineering, physics, math, cyber, computer science, or manufacturing.

Application Available annually for Juniors and due in early September and the internship is during the school year, beginning in October.

Are you a high school or college student who wants to expand your knowledge in the STEM fields? Our experts are looking for learners and innovators to collaborate in cutting-edge research, engineering, development, and analysis projects to help make the world safer.
​​​​​​​At MITRE, we empower our students to discover, create, and lead in the science, engineering, technology, and mathematics fields. As part of our student programs, we are offering paid summer internships in these areas.

Student Programs

Nationwide High School Program

Opportunity to serve, inspire, change

Every year, hundreds of community-minded high schoolers are accepted into the Student Leaders program. They get first-hand experience in serving their communities through a paid eight-week internship with nonprofits like Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity.

They also get to see how nonprofits, governments and businesses collaborate to meet local needs by participating in the national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C. Many of the students use their new-found skills to create more change and improve more lives, with inspiring stories of enthusiasm and commitment.

Applications are available in October and due in January of each year.

Information and Application

The Pathmaker High School (Level I) internship is designed to give high school students unprecedented access to the inner-workings of the hospital system.

https://www.palomarhealth.org/pathmaker-internship-program/high-school-(level-i)

High School Exploration Internship Program

Scripps and the health career pipeline project known as the Health and Science Pipeline Initiative (HASPI) began a partnership in 2007 to create worksite and learning opportunities for high school students who have an interest in healthcare. This five-week internship program brings students from around the county into our doors to become more educated about healthcare careers.

https://careers.scripps.org/graduates-and-students/

Scripps Research’s High School Student Research Education Program exposes students to contemporary issues in biomedical research and provides hands-on laboratory experience and mentorship. It is committed to increasing the number of talented students who choose a career in the biological and chemical sciences, particularly first-generation college-bound students and students from groups that are underrepresented in science. This is a Summer Internship and students must be at least 16. See all other information and the application on the link below.

Application opens February 1 for Summer work.

https://education.scripps.edu/k-12-outreach/ca-outreach/hs-internships/index.html

This program is offered as part of a partnership with the Biocom Institute Life Science Young Leaders High School Internship program. The eight-week paid internship is an opportunity for high school students to gain real-life experience performing scientific research while developing skill sets needed for careers in STEM.

Students will be mentored by Salk scientists and have the opportunity to work in a Salk lab. The program will take place over the summer of 2022. Students will spend most of their time in the lab with their mentor while also being expected to participate virtually in seminars, workshops, data analysis projects and other enrichment activities. At the end of the program, students will present their research projects to an audience of their mentors, lab members and families.

Founded more than 40 years ago, the Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars program at the Salk Institute fulfills Jonas Salk’s vision of introducing high school students to laboratory life and the opportunities of careers in science.

https://www.salk.edu/about/education-outreach/programs/high-school-scholars/

COSMOS strives to motivate the most creative minds of the new generation of prospective scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will become the future leaders for California, our nation, and the world. The program aims to create a community of students who participate in and contribute to an intensive academic experience delivered by distinguished educators and scholars. Students go deep in STEM clusters with seasoned, high quality teachers in the STEM cluster areas. There is an application fee and tuition for the program.

More Info HERE

Marine Technology Society’s Summer Internship Program is a six-week program that requires 40 hours per week of “on-site” participation.

Application Available HERE

Marine Technology Website HERE

Point of Contact: Carmella Cotta-George: carmella.george@yahoo.com

A nationwide organization focused on empowering youth for climate action.

The Climate Initiative has an ambassador program that provides leadership experience and training, as well as access to TCI's regional coordinators—who can provide guidance and assistance for projects related to bettering the wellbeing of the ambassador's community.

More Info, Click HERE!

The Sally Ride Science Academy summer program offers science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) workshops for students entering 3rd-12th grade. During these workshops, students assume the roles of space explorer, marine biologist, computer programmer and more as they immerse themselves in hands-on projects. Top-notch STEAM instructors lead these workshops, serving as both teachers and role models. These summer workshops also incorporate real-life stories of vibrant women conducting research in each field. Their examples inspire students and help make STEAM careers more accessible.

https://sallyridescience.ucsd.edu/academy/#high-school

The Scripps Research Translational Institute (SRTI) promotes cutting-edge translational research, focused on personalized health care through the genomic, proteomic and metabolomic correlates of health and disease. We additionally seek to advance personalized medicine through research incorporating mobile health (mHealth) monitoring of individuals’ symptoms and physiology.

SRTI offers a Student Research Internship Program for highly motivated high school, undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Interns will work with and learn from a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, who include internationally-renowned investigators in the areas of genomics, bioinformatics, digital medicine, and community engagement. The primary aim of the internship program is to train and prepare students interested in health sciences, statistics, and computational/computer science to become future leaders in the realm of translational medical research.

Application deadline is in March

https://www.scripps.edu/science-and-medicine/translational-institute/education-and-training/student-research-internship/

Students apply in the spring of their sophomore or junior year and participate the following school year. Zoo InternQuest explores the world of specialized careers in wildlife conservation within San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and participating teens document their discoveries on the Zoo website. Zoo InternQuest is a program that provides high school students interested in pursuing careers in the life sciences (biology, zoology, human or veterinary medicine, wildlife management, botany, etc.) with the opportunity to learn from Zoo experts. Virtual InternQuest allows individual students or whole classrooms anywhere in the world to participate in Zoo InternQuest through the Internet.

https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/jobs/internships

https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/kids-programs/zoo-internquest

Conservation Corps is a hands-on program for high school students interested in conservation, science, public speaking, and community service. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about conservation issues, develop their communication and critical thinking skills, and carry out community service projects. More information is available on the Safari Park Conservation Corps website.

Moonlight Youth Theatre's Internship Program is the only one of its kind in our region. MYT’s Theatre Internship Program is designed as a “hand’s-on” shadow program. Through the program, Interns will learn about the tools needed to move forward in a chosen field – observing, training and collaborating with dedicated professionals at an award-winning theatre organization and gain invaluable experience, build a resume, make connections, and have the opportunity to gain community service hours which are vital for college applications.

Internships are available in the following roles: Production Management, Direction, Music Direction, Choreography, Stage Management, Assistant Stage Management, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, Properties Design, Make-up Design, Orchestra.

https://www.moonlightstage.com/education-community/moonlight-youth-theatre-internship-program

We offer internships, in all artistic and administrative departments, for developing professionals to gain industry experience by learning side-by-side with extraordinary artists, administrators and technicians. Join a group of people who value creativity, collaboration and innovation while developing plays and musicals that impact people across the globe. Enjoy Playhouse performances, make valuable connections and hone skills that will benefit you in your chosen career. La Jolla Playhouse internships are paid opportunities that take place at the Playhouse theatre campus located at University of California, San Diego.

'Accepts interns in June and July for the Fall

Accepts interns in October and November for the Spring

https://lajollaplayhouse.org/who-we-are/get-involved/internships/

Arts Engagement Internships

Stage Management Apprenticeships

Applicants should have a strong interest in professional stage management. Apprentices will work alongside AEA stage managers throughout all aspects of the rehearsal process. Apprentices will be involved in daily rehearsals, technical rehearsals, production meetings, and understudy rehearsals. There will be opportunities to observe the calling of shows, backstage operations, etc. The Old Globe is one of the country’s finest regional theatres, attracting nationally known actors, directors, and designers. The stage management apprenticeship is a full-time commitment, 5 to 6 days a week. Apprenticeship lengths vary so please see detailed listings above. Candidates should be at least 18 years old at the start of the apprenticeship.

https://www.theoldglobe.org/get-involved/internships/

Current high school Sophomores and Juniors are eligible:

The FBI San Diego Field Office hosts a Teen Academy and is soliciting applications for 2022. The Teen Academy will be held on Tuesday, July 12th, 8:15am-4:15pm. Applications must be completed and emailed to FBI-SD-Recruitment@fbi.gov by COB May 1st, 2022.

The FBI Teen Academy program allows high school students (currently enrolled Sophomores and Juniors) an opportunity to get a comprehensive look into today’s FBI. Generally, each course iteration is a minimum of eight hours but can be a week-long program with blocks of instruction and demonstrations at a local field office. Students are provided with several presentations on topics including terrorism, cybercrime, public corruption, polygraph exams, evidence response, SWAT, and the day-to-day operations of a typical FBI office. Students also learn from special agents, intelligence analysts, language specialists, and professional staff about investigative tactics that include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assisting with cases.

View and download 2022 Teen Academy application

https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/fbi-san-diego-teen-academy-application-032922.pdf/view

Please email your applications to FBI-SD-Recruitment@fbi.gov by May 1. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. It is a competitive application process.

Looking for a career in sustainability? Green and sustainability jobs help the planet by contributing to environmental, social and economic sustainability. Get paid work experience with the County of San Diego to gain experience and make connections.

You will start with 16 hours of virtual job-readiness training. After completing the training, you will be placed with a County department for a paid work experience. The paid work experience is 240-hours total, 20 hours a week for three months. Some internships may be virtual. Participants may be eligible to receive clothing, gas and transportation stipends. Apply here

Participating departments include:

• Parks and Recreation
• Planning and Development
• Public Works
• Agriculture, Weights and Measures
• Environmental Health and Quality
• The San Diego County Library
• General Services

Ages 16-21 and 2.0 gpa

The purpose of the Fire Cadet program is to help young people make the decision of whether they want to pursue a career in Fire Suppression. The Cadets attend mandatory training classes and are encouraged to participate in a ride-along program. This program helps Cadets gain experience as they observe firefighters and assist the Department in a non-hazardous capacity. In addition to Fire Department-related responsibilities, Fire Cadets are also encouraged to take Fire Science classes, and go on outings and camping trips organized by the Cadet leaders. Program page

Age minimum 16

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department Explorer Program is a youth-oriented program. Its primary purpose is to provide, through actual experience, a means by which young adults engage in an opportunity to explore their interests and aptitudes in the field of law enforcement through on-the-job exposure. Information and application

This list is comprised of organizations who have offered internship opportunities and Enrichment Programs. This should not be construed as an endorsement by the Poway Unified School District. It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver/guardian to research all outside organizations.

For questions, comments, or corrections, please contact Diana O'Quin at doquin@powayusd.com

Email: doquin@powayusd.com
Phone: 858-484-1180