COAST partners with federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and industry to provide paid summer internships for continuing CSU undergraduate and graduate students. Interns work side-by-side with professionals on current scientific research, policy, and resource management projects throughout California. The program provides excellent opportunities to gain valuable experience and learn technical skills while working with experts in fisheries, marine ecology, policy and marine technology.
HSU undergraduate Anne Nash bleeding a rockfish. Image courtesy of PCEC.
Since 2011, 106 interns from 17 CSU campuses have been placed with a variety of hosts including
CA Department of Fish and Wildlife,
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, California Ocean Science Trust,
SeaTrec, Inc.,
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, and several
National Marine Sanctuaries. Projects have focused on fisheries, climate change, invasive species, resource management and marine engineering.
This internship has been the best experience I’ve had in my undergraduate career and I feel like I’m closer to accomplishing my goal of becoming a professional biologist,
- Stephanie King, undergraduate student, CSU Long Beach
The program has been highly successful. Following their internships, a number of interns have been hired by their host organizations as a result of this program, and the overall experiences have been invaluable in helping students refine their career choices and pathways.
Interns Ben Potter (Cal Maritime) and Alice Dornblaser
(Cal Poly SLO) pilot an ROV in Humboldt Bay, 2016
This experience was one of the most valuable aspects of my education as a CSU Student,
- Ryan Schoenbaum, undergraduate student, CSU Monterey Bay
The host organizations generously provide matching funding for this program. COAST seeks additional outside funding to continue to expand the program and offer additional internship opportunities to CSU students. Please contact
Dr. Krista Kamer, COAST Director, for more information.
Return to Student Funding