Summer Internships

Carnegie Science offers a range of prestigious and highly sought-after undergraduate internship programs that provide students with exceptional research opportunities and a chance to work alongside leading scientists. Two prominent examples of these programs are the Carnegie Astrophysics Summer Student Internship (CASSI) program in Pasadena and the Summer Undergraduate Research Internship (SURI) program in Washington, D.C. Both programs are making an active effort to create opportunities for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and contribute to changing the face of their respective fields.

CASSI

CASSI is a competitive internship program designed to give undergraduates who are interested in astronomy and astrophysics the skills and confidence to pursue careers in and adjacent to scientific research. This immersive experience takes place at the Carnegie Observatories, which are renowned for their cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art facilities.

Under the guidance of experienced mentors, CASSI students engage in groundbreaking original research projects across a variety of exciting topics including, galaxy formation, exoplanets, cosmology, and dark matter. In addition to their investigative endeavors, students participate in a rigorous series of workshops to build their technical and communication skills. Professional development discussions cover topics such as impostor syndrome and diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific community. They also have opportunities to engage with other local scientific organizations, including Mt. Wilson Observatory and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

SURI

SURI program provides undergraduate students with an immersive research experience across multiple scientific disciplines at Carnegie’s Earth and Planets Laboratory. Open to students from diverse backgrounds, SURI offers research opportunities in fields such as astronomy, planetary science, and geophysics. Under the mentorship of leading Carnegie scientists, SURI interns gain hands-on research skills and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in topics ranging from exoplanet atmospheres to planetary evolution and meteorites to deep Earth diamonds.

The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing interns to attend seminars and workshops delivered by distinguished researchers across all of the fields represented at Carnegie’s Washington, D.C., campus. The SURI program not only prepares students for future scientific endeavors, but also offers valuable networking opportunities and mentorship that can shape their careers.

Graduates of Carnegie’s internship programs have achieved remarkable success, with many advancing to prestigious graduate programs or pursuing thriving careers in academia, industry, and various scientific fields. They exemplify the institution's commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and provide undergraduate students with the mentorship, skills, and network necessary to make significant contributions to their chosen disciplines.

The CASSI Program is funded in part by The Rose Hills Foundation, The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, and other private philanthropic support and SURI is funded in part by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, The New York Community Trust’s Fund for Astrophysical Research; and the Marilyn Fogel Endowed Fund for Internships.