Applicants are being sought for the Akamai Internship Program.
The Akamai Internship Program offers college students an opportunity to gain paid summer work experience at an observatory, company or science/technical facility on Hawaii Island, Maui or University of California at Santa Cruz while earning course credit at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
The internship program is led by the Institute for Scientist and Engineer Educators at University of California Observatories, in partnership with UH.
As a part of the Akamai Workforce Initiative, the internship program seeks to develop a skilled STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce to meet the needs of Hawaii’s growing high-tech industry.
Applications for the summer internship must be submitted by Feb. 5, 2024. To apply, visit www.akamaihawaii.org/apply/.
The eight-week internship will run from June 3 to Aug. 10, 2024. Interns will be paid a $4,400 stipend, provided housing (if needed) and travel support to their internship sites.
More than 500 college students have participated in the internship program since it launched in 2003. At least 250 alumni now hold careers in science and technology.
“We are committed to provide empowering opportunities through Akamai to our Hawaii students so they are ready for careers within the high-tech sector,” said Doug Simons, executive director at the UH Institute for Astronomy. “The state’s astronomy sector is one economic artery that provides employment for hundreds of local people and is an example of how Hawaii can further diversify its economy through innovation.”
Upon acceptance into the program, Akamai interns are carefully matched with a project and a mentor within their field, who will supervise the intern throughout the summer.
All Akamai interns complete a one-week intensive preparatory course at UH-Hilo, where they gain the skills needed to be successful in the workplace and meet other interns along with Akamai staff and mentors. Mentors help interns gain work experience and build a network that will help launch their STEM careers.
The interns are coached on communication skills, and will present their projects at the end of summer at a public symposium.
This year, the Akamai Internship Program is funded by Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research and the National Science Foundation.
