SLI Internships

The Foothill Science Learning Institute STEM Micro-Internship program is a paid opportunity ($1300 stipend) for Foothill College students to work closely with a mentor from a local higher education institution in a short-term, discrete research project for the winter quarter (January 9 - March 24, 2023).

Deadline is closed.

The goals of the micro-internship are as follows: Foothill College students will

• Gain insight into what lab and institutional research entails.
• Work closely with a mentor to explore academic and professional goals.
• Gain research skills such as reading scientific articles, analyzing data, benchwork, and researching databases.

Mentors are recruited from local universities such as Stanford, San Jose State, and UC Santa Cruz and are graduate students, post doctorate fellows, and staff who have all made a commitment to mentor a student for a quarter (11 weeks), supporting them in a short-term research project that relates to their work.

PROJECT AND MENTOR CATALOG (Updated 10/19)

Foothill Student Commitment

(for currently enrolled STEM Foothill students)

• Commitment of 6 – 7 hours each week for 11 weeks in winter quarter, engaging in the research project outlined by the mentor, attending lab meetings, and engaging in other activities laid out by the mentor.
• Enrollment in ITRN 50 or 51 (depends on projected number of hours of internship). Course tuition will be covered by the Science Learning Institute or your financial aid.
• A program orientation for the internship program the before winter break with the Science Learning Institute.
• Submission of a final report of your internship experience at the end of the quarter.
• Final presentation during week 12 of winter quarter for an audience of all interns and mentors in the program.
• Attendance at a biweekly (every other week) cohort seminar on professional development topics
• Students will be asked to submit an application to Foothill College’s Research and Service Leadership Symposium which is held in May 2023. The application deadline is usually in March.
• A more detailed list of expectations is outlined in a separate document for students.
• Student application is not yet ready.

Student Eligibility

• Interested in STEM research. You don't have to be a STEM major!
• Review the “required skills” in the Project and Mentor Catalog and make sure you meet the minimum requirements. For some projects, this may include advance coursework and for others there are minimal requirements.
• Have completed at least 6 units at Foothill College in the fall 2022 quarter.
• Be enrolled at Foothill College in winter 2023 for at least 6 units and no more than 15 units.
• Have Foothill College as your primary school (more credits at Foothill College than at De Anza College).
• Full completion of the application, including naming a faculty/staff reference and upload of a resume.
• Priority given to students who demonstrate financial need, have not had a previous internship, are aiming to transfer, and are first time degree earners.

Student Application Process

1. Review the Project and Mentor Catalog (updated 10/19/22) to choose which project(s) you would be interested in working on. Pay close attention to the "required skills" that each mentor is looking for. 
2. Go to the student application and fill it out completely, including the supplementary questions. 
3. Upload resume and unofficial transcript to scholarship portal. Here is some guidance on writing a resume. Find out how to download your unofficial transcript here. 
4. Deadline is closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mentor Commitment

(for grad students, post-doc fellows, research institution staff)

• Commit 3 – 4 hours a week for 11 weeks, setting students up for success and also supporting their overall professional development and growth.
• Support students in putting together a final presentation (most likely on Zoom) of their internship experience.
• Respond to emails from Foothill SLI program staff checking in throughout the quarter. These will involve weekly updates (as applicable) as well as requests for status reports every other week.
• Attend a program training before the end of fall quarter.
• Attend a final presentation, presented by your student intern, at the end of winter quarter.
• Complete evaluation forms per requirements of an internship class that students take alongside the internship placement.
• Students will be asked to submit an application to Foothill College’s Research and Service Leadership Symposium which is held in May 2023. The application deadline is usually in March. We ask the mentors to support students in the application and if a student’s application is accepted, you have the option to continue to support the student in preparing for the presentation in May – THIS WOULD BE OPTIONAL and outside the scope of this program.

• Please read the linked overview for details on becoming a mentor. 

Overall Process

1. Mentors submit applications describing their proposed project by Friday, Sept 23, 2023, 11:59pm.
2. SLI staff reach out after receiving applications for short conversations to review expectations and to confirm interest.
3. Students are recruited in the fall.
4. Mentors are given the option to review student applications to pick whom they would like to work with OR give the decision-making authority to the Foothill SLI staff.
5. Matches are made in early December. At the same time, mentors attend a training. Matches are asked to have an informal meet up before the winter break.
6. The program will officially start the week of January 9 when the winter quarter starts for Foothill.

Mentor Program Overview (for more details)

Mentor Outreach Flyer (for dissemination)