The LSAMP Internship Program is a 9-month, cohort-based initiative that offers LSAMP-eligible students paid, hands-on internship experiences in STEM, ITECK, or community-engaged settings. The program is designed to build confidence and connect students with real-world applications of their academic work. Participants commit to 10 hours per week at an approved internship site and take part in three structured workshops each term, which focus on developing professional skills and exploring career pathways.
These internships are intentionally structured to serve as students’ first exposure to professional work in their field, with opportunities for continued engagement beyond the program. Many participants use the experience as a launching point to secure summer internships, full-time employment, or admission into graduate programs—often through the networks and skills they develop during their time in the program.
Internship Program Goals
- Career Exposure
Provide students with insight into career paths aligned with their STEM or ITECK discipline. Through direct experience, students will gain an understanding of workplace cultures, team structures, and professional norms within their field of interest. - Applied Knowledge in STEM/ITECK
Ensure students contribute meaningfully to their internship site by applying the knowledge and competencies they’ve developed through their STEM or ITECK coursework - Project-Based Skill Development
Engage students in a focused project—or a series of projects—that challenge them to grow professionally and technically. By the end of the internship, students should be able to clearly articulate the skills they developed or expanded upon through their work - STEM Identity Development: Support students in building confidence and a strong sense of identity as early-career STEM professionals, helping them see themselves as capable contributors in their fields and equipping them to take their next academic or career steps with clarity and purpose
- Professional Networking: Create structured opportunities for students to connect with mentors, peers, and industry professionals, supporting their ability to navigate future academic or career pathways
For more information, please contact Patti Cabrera-Perez, the LSAMP Program Coordinator at pc6@pdx.edu.