Share Sustainability with the World

Science communication and storytelling is an essential skill in the 21st century. As society grapples with challenges at the intersection of environment and society, science communicators help move research out of the laboratory and into the minds and hearts of decision-makers, the public, and a new generation of change-makers.

The Wrigley Institute’s Environmental Communications Internship supports students in building marketable skills at this intersection of disciplines, collaborating with leading researchers to amplify their work. This internship is only open to USC continuing undergraduate students.

Applications for the 2026 Environmental Communications Internships are now closed. Complete the interest form below to stay informed and be notified about the next application cycle.

Complete the interest form

How it Works

The environmental communications internship is a paid, full-time internship lasting 8 weeks. The program offers a mix of Los Angeles-based and virtual options, along with one internship at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island.

2026 Program Dates:  Monday, June 15 – Friday, August 7, 2026 (plus one internship running May 18-August 7)

Application Deadline:  Sunday, March 1, 2026 (decisions will be communicated prior to April 1, 2026)

Who should apply?

USC undergraduates who are interested in gaining experience in science communication around environment and sustainability themes. This program will be especially beneficial for undergraduate students looking to build portfolios and skills in science translation for public outreach and social impact. Demonstration of interest in environmental issues and connecting with public audiences is encouraged.

The Internship Experience:  

  • Collaborate with one or more USC faculty or departments to develop impactful content related to ongoing research. This may include photo and video projects, written pieces, website design, infographics, social media posts, and other projects, depending on faculty/department needs and students’ skills and interests.
  • Mentoring by Wrigley Institute science and communications experts
  • Seminars and panel discussions with science communication professionals from a variety of fields
  • Opportunities to showcase your work through Wrigley Institute communications, faculty initiatives, and other media channels
  • $4,800 summer stipend

Eligibility:

Open to continuing USC undergraduate students. In order to qualify as a continuing student, applicants must be enrolled at USC for the spring 2026 semester* and NOT graduating in spring or summer 2026. Note that we do not usually award internships to students who have previously completed the program.

*Some study-abroad programs are not counted as USC enrollment and may make students ineligible for this program. If you are studying abroad this semester, please check with your college’s study-abroad office to determine your enrollment status.

Environmental communications intern Yannick Peterhans holds a large underwater camera rig in his hand as he stands on a concrete ramp leading into an ocean cove. He is wearing a wetsuit and holding white flippers in his other hand.

2026 Mentors & Projects

Applications for the 2026 Environmental Communications Internships are now closed. Complete the interest form below to stay informed and be notified about the next application cycle. See the list of 2026 projects below.

Complete the interest form

  • Mentor: Kathryn Royster, USC Wrigley Institute

    Location: Santa Catalina Island, CA (fully in-person)

    (Note: This position’s dates are May 18-August 7, running 12 weeks instead of 8. It includes a stipend of $6,000, plus room and board on Catalina Island)

    Based at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island, this internship focuses on producing professional-quality photos, and possibly videos, of research and educational activities taking place in and around Catalina Island throughout the summer. The intern will function as part of the Wrigley Institute’s in-house communications team, and work products will be used in Wrigley Institute marketing and communications activities. This intern may also provide occasional support to WMSC summer programs, such as Maymester and Storymakers. Applicants should have a meaningful photo portfolio to share and must provide their own DSLR camera kit. As this position involves capturing field activities, applicants must be willing and able to participate in hikes, boat rides, and other excursions in rugged areas.

  • Mentors: Dr. Amanda Molder and Kathryn Royster, USC Wrigley Institute

    Location:UPC/hybrid (3 days/week in office)

    This internship focuses on translating cutting-edge climate and carbon management research into accessible, engaging communication products for broad and non-technical audiences. The intern will be embedded with the Wrigley Institute’s Climate and Carbon Management Initiative (CCI), which studies decarbonization, carbon capture technologies, and climate resilience. They will work closely with CCI researchers on short articles, blog posts, social media content, infographics, and other digital or multimedia storytelling content that explains complex environmental science and solutions in clear, compelling ways. This role is ideal for someone with strong writing and storytelling skills, interest in environmental science and policy, and experience with digital communication tools (e.g., social platforms, basic graphic design). Work products will be shared through Wrigley Institute channels and outside USC.

  • Mentor: Dr. Amalia Almada, USC Sea Grant

    Location: UPC/hybrid (2-3 days/week in office)

    USC Sea Grant provides hands-on demonstrations about how watersheds can be affected by development, pollution, and other natural and human-made impacts. USC Sea Grant is looking for an intern to help develop supporting materials (e.g., videos, slides, curricula guides, evaluations) to empower local educators to lead these watershed demonstrations. The intern may also support demonstrations over the course of the summer. They will gain additional experience through supporting other Sea Grant communications needs, such as organization of the department’s photo database.

  • Mentors: Dr. Amalia Almada and Sydney Rilum, USC Sea Grant

    Location: UPC/hybrid (2-3 days/week in office)

    Aquaculture is a vital part of global food production and the fastest-growing food sector in the world. However, a major obstacle to aquaculture growth in the U.S. is a lack of public understanding and acceptance of coastal and ocean aquaculture. USC Sea Grant is looking for an intern to support two NOAA-funded efforts to develop and disseminate targeted outreach materials to address misconceptions and knowledge gaps in aquaculture to increase public aquaculture literacy. The intern will work with us to partner with local aquariums and other education groups to disseminate the materials.

  • Mentor: Dr. Carly Kenkel, USC Dornsife Biological Sciences

    Location: Flexible; can be fully in-person at UPC, hybrid, or fully remote

    This internship is funded through an NSF grant and will highlight research on a foundational Caribbean coral species, Acropora cervicornis. The intern will learn about coral biology and the role of corals’ physiological flexibility in response to climate change, and in turn will help translate this research for the public through materials such as graphics/illustrations, social media content, or short videos. Work products will be shared through CEE (Kenkel) Lab, Wrigley Institute, and possibly broader channels.

  • Mentors:Dr. Megan Fieser, USC Dornsife Chemistry

    Location: Flexible; can be fully in-person at UPC, hybrid, or fully remote

    This intern will work in the Fieser Lab, which uses chemistry to develop new, biodegradable plastics and ways of recycling and upcycling hard-to-reuse plastics. The intern will primarily create graphics for scientific papers that the lab’s graduate students are preparing to submit for publication. These graphics represent key scientific concepts in an engaging way in order to attract readers. When relevant, the intern will also make cover art that is a more creative representation of the work. Finally, they will help produce graphics that the Fieser Lab will use in future presentations at conferences and in other public settings. Applicants should have a strong interest in graphic design.

Complete the interest form

Past Interns & Projects