Summer Undergraduate Internship Opportunities

Pennsylvania Sea Grant offers paid summer internship opportunities for undergraduate students seeking to gain professional experience.

The purpose of the internships is to contribute to a diverse ocean and Great Lakes workforce that understands technical and social challenges facing coastal communities and the natural environment. The experience will help prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and careers in science, policy, management and outreach focused on oceans, Great Lakes, and watersheds.  

The internships are offered in Pennsylvania as part of the Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program, which is offered by Sea Grant programs across the country. This program encourages applicants from groups historically underrepresented in the sciences, including African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic and Latino, female, first-generation college students, veterans, LGBTQ+, and students with disabilities. In addition, the program welcomes applications from students who have worked to overcome educational or economic disadvantages or who have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their career paths.

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Eligibility

• Limited to undergraduate students currently enrolled in, or graduating in spring 2025, from a U.S. institution of higher learning.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or be authorized to work in the United States without restriction.
• Graduate students are not eligible for this opportunity. To learn about graduate fellowship opportunities, visit our Careers page.

Details

Successful candidates will be paid $17 per hour and be expected to work up to 40 hours per week for 9-10 weeks, from June into August 2025. Interns should be able to work independently, with guidance from their supervisor. Interns should be located in Pennsylvania, with ability to travel to attend events and meetings in person.  Other aspects of these positions may be completed virtually, creating a hybrid work experience.  Interns will have the opportunity to participate in Pennsylvania Sea Grant staff meetings as well as other potential professional development and networking opportunities.

Qualifications

Applicants should have strong interpersonal and organizational skills. The ability to work independently, communicate effectively to individuals and larger groups and to accurately synthesize and deliver information is preferred. An interest in and experience with aquatic invasive species outreach or environmental literacy is preferred but not required.

Applicants should expect to engage in frequent communication with Pennsylvania Sea Grant staff, relevant stakeholders, state agencies, non-governmental organizations, schools, and educators in the Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic, and national Sea Grant networks.

Application Process

The application review period will begin February 26, 2025 and the internship will begin in June 2025. Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled. Apply electronically (www.hr.psu.edu/careers).

Submit all of the following documents in a single PDF file: 

• Resume or curriculum vitae detailing education and work experiences (2-page limit)
• Goal statement describing your interest in the internship program. Helpful information to include is your personal, professional, and academic background including your related experience, major or field of study and why you chose it; why you are interested in marine, Great Lakes, watershed science, policy, management, education, or outreach; how you think this internship would help you professionally; and information about how you might contribute to the mission of the CEI program.
• Copy of unofficial transcript(s)
• Contact information (name, title, email, telephone number) for one reference. This reference should be someone who supervised you in a work or volunteer position and who is willing to describe your qualifications for the internship, or from a college professor or advisor who is willing to describe your academic achievements.

Questions should be directed to Sarah Whitney at swhitney@psu.edu including the subject line of “2025 Pennsylvania Sea Grant Summer Undergraduate Internship.”