SCEC Announces 1998 Summer Internship Program

Mark Benthien, new coordinator of SCEC's Summer Internship Program, recently announced the opening of the application process for 1998. The internship program provides opportunities for undergraduate students at SCEC institutions and other southern California colleges to work with SCEC scientists on earthquake-related science. The program has three major goals:

• To provide hands-on experiences in the earth sciences for undergraduates. Active tectonics, seismology, and other earthquake-related fields of study are emphasized
• To provide insights into career opportunities in research and education
• To interest, train, and retain underrepresented minority undergraduate students and women in earth science-related fields of study

SCEC Summer Internships are meant to be interesting and enjoyable and therefore are designed by the students according to their interests and abilities. To choose a project, students interview scientists conducting research in the student's subject of interest. Once a match is determined, the student and the mentor choose a project that can reach conclusion during the summer. The project must be well defined, focused, and relevant to SCEC's research mission. The program for the summer of 1998 will award 5 to 10 internships. Each award includes a $4,000 stipend.

SCEC summer internships enhance students' abilities to compete as they seek employment or continue in their academic pursuits. Previous SCEC interns are enjoying success in academia as well as industry. For more information, visit the Internship web page or contact Mark at 213-740-0323 or benthien@usc.edu.