The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) Summer Internship Program provides undergraduate students opportunities to help address issues impacting coastal communities by combining social and environmental conservation sciences. Through this program, IISG’s interns will gain knowledge and skills in practices that help Lake Michigan coastal communities make more informed decisions about resource management and everyday activities. These paid internships may include research, communications, and/or outreach activities. Applicants may have the opportunity to participate in activities (e.g., attending a professional conference) outside of their specific internship duties.

As part of this program, IISG offers required professional development trainings. Throughout their employment, each intern will participate in professional development opportunities that will require approximately eight hours or one hour per week; one or more of the sessions may take more than an hour, so in some weeks, no training will be offered.

Intern Positions

Click on the title for an expanded view of the 2025 intern job descriptions, qualifications, and locations. 

Application packets are due by February 7, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET. Successful applications will be notified of their acceptance by March 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET.  

Eligibility

• Undergraduates currently enrolled in any 2- or 4-year accredited U.S. community college, college, or university.
• Graduate students are not eligible.
• Applicants should be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or have an active F-1 visa.
• Previous IISG interns who have participated in the Summer Student Internship or Community-Engaged Internship programs are not eligible. 

Each intern is responsible for the cost of housing plus transportation to and from their workplace. See each project description for information on whether the position is remote, in-person, or hybrid.

Expectations

• Work 37.5 hours for 8 weeks.
• Attend four professional development trainings.
• Submit a summary of your work and project at the end of employment.
• Participate in social media takeovers on Instagram.
• Attend a potential gathering of the intern cohort (encouraged).
• Attend weekly coffee breaks (encouraged).
• Attend career panel (encouraged).
• If working remotely, job duties will be performed during regular working hours unless otherwise arranged with the supervisor.

Application

Applicants should submit their materials to the 2025 IISG Summer Student Internship Program using the submission button below. All questions should be directed to Angela Archer, amcbride@purdue.edu, 765-496-3722.

Applications should include:

• Cover letter. Please tell us about yourself, why you’re interested in the overall IISG internship and specifically the projects you’re applying for, how your experiences will benefit this internship, and how this opportunity will help you with your career goals. (1-2 pages)
• Curriculum vitae or resume detailing your education and work experiences. (2 pages maximum)
• Copy of unofficial transcript(s).
• One letter of recommendation on your behalf, which can be directed to amcbride@purdue.edu or included in your application. Letters from family, friends, or IISG staff members will not be accepted.* (1 page maximum)
• Ranked preference of the internship positions.
• Where or how you heard about the IISG Internship Program. (This information is used to improve future communications about IISG opportunities to interested students.)

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
The people of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant value diversity, equity, and inclusion in both our organization and the communities we serve. Therefore, we strive to make access to research, outreach, education, and employment opportunities available to everyone, regardless of race, color, religion, place of origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, disability, or veteran status. The full IISG values statement can be found at https://iiseagrant.org/about/our-values/.

Purdue University
Purdue University prohibits discrimination against any member of the University community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. The University will conduct its programs, services and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders and in conformance with the procedures and limitations as set forth in Purdue’s Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action policy which provides specific contractual rights and remedies. Additionally, the University promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunity for women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans through its affirmative action program.

University of Illinois
The University of Illinois System is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws regarding it. EEO is a set of standards that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. The laws apply to all types of work situations, including recruiting, hiring, disciplinary actions, terminations, promotions, pay practices, training, wages, and benefits.