PIFSC Student Intern Program

The PIFSC Student Intern Program (PSIP) offers qualified college students professional work experience and formal training opportunities tailored to meet their educational and professional goals and interests.

PSIP enables students to work under the guidance of talented staff of the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center who will provide challenging work opportunities and one-to-one mentoring in the student's field of study.

Program Benefits:

PSIP will provide each participant with:

  • an in-depth perspective on how NOAA Fisheries serves the community and the nation as a whole
  • the opportunity to acquire specific skills needed to pursue their professional goals and aspirations
  • the opportunity for hands-on work experience in their field of study
  • the opportunity to build relationships with professionals in their field of study

PSIP will also benefit PIFSC by helping the Center's staff develop skills in leadership, teaching, and coaching and by building productive relationships with academic partners and institutions.

Program Components

The PSIP is a paid, summer-long (8-12 week) program that combines on-the-job training, formal training, one-to-one mentoring, and developmental assignments. Internship opportunities will be established in specific PIFSC projects. No additional travel or housing funding is provided.

Program components include:

  • Performance Plans to establish goals and timelines for the intern's work assignments (established in meetings between intern and mentor)
  • Periodic meetings between intern and mentor to check on progress (includes a mid-point review and final review)
  • Inclusion of intern in PIFSC staff activities (division meetings, all-hands meetings, training, and other activities)
  • In addition to the individual and group mentoring by PIFSC staff, the PSIP interns (3 targeted for 2010) will be encouraged to synergize with each other and other undergraduate and graduate interns (Hollings, EPP, NOAA/HIMB, etc.) at PIFSC
  • Program wrap up: Interns and mentors hold a final meeting to review final products and discuss the internship experience
  • Evaluations: Interns and mentors complete a program evaluation to provide feedback that will help PIFSC improve the structure of the internship program

Intern Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. citizenship (due to federal employment requirements)
  • Full-time status as a degree-seeking college student with no fewer than 24 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university within the United States or U.S. territories, preferably just completing their sophomore or junior years
  • Cumulative and semester/quarter GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in all completed undergraduate courses and in the major field of study
  • Majoring in a discipline or study area related to marine or atmospheric science, research, technology, or education, and supportive of NOAA's programs and mission (for example, biological, social or physical sciences; mathematics; engineering; computer and information sciences; and teacher education)
  • Ability to obtain security clearance to work in a federal facility

2010 Application Instructions

Prospective interns are required to submit the following documents to Donald Kobayashi (PSIP Coordinator) via email at donald.kobayashi@noaa.gov no later than March 31, 2010. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • Resume
  • Academic transcripts (unofficial copies accepted)
  • Cover letter which includes a description of the student's research interests
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor
  • The NOAA Fisheries Mission

    Stewardship of living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and the protection of healthy ecosystems.
  • The Primary NOAA Fisheries Goal

    To protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management.
http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov
Last updated January 11 2010