Internships offer invaluable experience, especially for high school students passionate about STEM, by providing real-world exposure beyond the classroom. They serve as a stepping stone to opportunities that formal education may not always unlock.

A great example of this is the Careers in Science (CiS) Internship Program at the California Academy of Sciences, an excellent choice for students seeking hands-on STEM experience before entering college. Programs like CiS allow you to gain practical knowledge while demonstrating to admissions officers your commitment to the field.

In this blog, we cover the details, cost, structure of CiS and discuss some pros and cons of opting for this internship!

What is the CIS Internship Program? 

The Careers in Science (CiS) Internship, created in 1996, was designed to give students from underrepresented communities the chance to develop skills and gain exposure in STEM, helping them build pathways for future careers.

This multi-year, paid program, offered year-round by the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, is a unique opportunity for high school students. Interns actively engage in various activities, including hands-on fieldwork, facilitating educational sessions for museum visitors, and participating in interactive training. 

Throughout the program, you’ll also have access to STEM conferences, college visits, and contribute to Academy exhibits and educational resources. The Academy—a renowned natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, and rainforest—runs this internship as part of its mission to "regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration" while fostering the next generation of STEM leaders.

How prestigious is the program?

The Careers in Science (CiS) internship’s reputation is built on three main aspects. First, its competitive nature sets it apart—only 44 interns were selected from applicants across the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

Second, the program immerses interns in hands-on scientific work, providing them with the opportunity to collaborate with experts and make real contributions to Academy exhibits and educational materials.

Moreover, the program was recognized with the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentorship, underscoring its commitment to fostering STEM education. 

Though the program’s limitation to SFUSD students slightly narrows its applicant pool and thus affects its prestige, the depth of learning and experience it offers more than compensates for this. Interns gain significant exposure and responsibility, positioning them for future success.

Is there a cost for the program?

The internship has no registration fee or application fee! 

Who can apply for the CiS internship?

To apply for the internship, there are several key eligibility criteria you’ll need to meet.

You must be a full-time 9th or 10th grader at a school within the SFUSD district—check here to see if your school is eligible! Additionally, a GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum grade of C in both math and science are required.

Applicants must also be authorized to work in the U.S. and able to secure a valid work permit. A strong commitment to the program is essential, as you’ll need to participate for 2-3 years until you finish high school. 

Attendance is crucial, with in-person commitments at the Academy and nearby sites after school, on Saturdays, and during the summer weekdays. Some remote tasks may also be part of the schedule. Lastly, enthusiasm for science and a desire to learn and teach are fundamental traits the program looks for in candidates.

How do I apply to the internship?

While new application dates haven’t been posted, based off last year, applications should open in February, and close in April. 

What should I expect as an intern?

The CiS internship offers a well-rounded experience over two to three years. During the school year, interns work on Saturdays, and in the summer, they shift to weekdays, engaging in outdoor fieldwork or helping facilitate learning activities for Academy visitors.

Every month, there are two training sessions where you’ll develop communication skills for science, explore different STEM careers with professionals, and gain valuable advice on financial literacy and college applications. 

As you progress, you’ll collaborate in project teams alongside Academy researchers or partners, working on real-world scientific research or environmental initiatives. In addition to these hands-on activities, interns can participate in college tours, present at STEM conferences, and even help create content for Academy exhibits and educational programs.

Pros and Cons

Pros: 

1. You’ll gain access to a wide range of resources. 

Whether it’s fieldwork, theoretical learning, or contributing to projects, you’ll have the support you need at every stage. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to work within the Academy itself, and as a renowned museum, you will have access to state-of-the art facilities. 

2. This internship is a valuable networking opportunities.

This program will allow you to connect with professionals, Academy researchers, and fellow interns. These relationships can help shape your future academic and career paths, and you can even utilize these connections for letters of recommendation or even future research opportunities! 

3. Your internship experience will significantly strengthen your college applications. 

The practical skills and knowledge you acquire, along with the workshops and years of dedicated STEM work, will give you a competitive edge when applying. Moreover, the prestige of the program, alongside the high selection rate, makes you a valuable contender when applying for universities! 

4. You will be paid for your work.

Despite the program being free of cost, you will still benefit from a stipend which will not only compensate for your effort but can also contribute toward college-related expenses down the road.

Cons: 

1. You’ll need to be fully committed.

If accepted, you’ll dedicate your entire high school experience to the CiS program. Ensure you’re prepared both academically and mentally for this level of involvement. Moreover, as a multi-year program, you will be expected to maintain the same level of commitment, and this might result in sacrificing other extracurricular activities.

2. You are only eligible if your school is within the SFUSD.

Unfortunately, CiS is only available to students attending schools in the San Francisco Unified School District. If your school falls outside of this district, you won’t be eligible to apply.

Should You Apply?

The CiS Internship Program provides an excellent foundation for students looking to expand their knowledge and thrive in STEM fields. If your school is within the San Francisco Unified School District, and you’re seeking support in advancing your STEM education, this program offers a compelling reason to apply.

With its structured curriculum, regular learning opportunities, and hands-on experience, it stands out as one of the best programs available. Plus, there’s no cost to participate, and the added benefit of earning a stipend makes it an even more attractive option for aspiring students.

If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 

You can find the application link here.

If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!

Image Source - California Academy of Sciences