Akamai Internship Program
Advancing the next generation of Hawaii’s science, engineering, and technology professionals
Planning for the 2021 Akamai internship program is underway!
To be sure to receive the program announcement, join our mailing list HERE.
Working at the Maunakea summit
Interns from the 2016 Akamai Cohort: Cheyenne Maio-Silva (right) and Katelyn Chagami (left), completing a project at W.M. Keck Observatory in Waimea
COVID-19 Updates: Please see this page for the latest information on the status of various ISEE programs
Tentative 2021 Program Dates
See the calendar page for more detailed information.
- Mid-November 2020 - applications are accepted
- Mid-February 2021 - application deadline
- Early June 2021 - Interns arrive for PREP course at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
- Mid-August 2021 - end of program and final presentations during Symposium
Take a look at the 2020 Akamai Brochure for more information about the program.
The Akamai Internship Program
The Akamai Internship Program offers college students from Hawai‘i an opportunity to gain a summer work experience at an observatory, company or scientific/technical facility in Hawai‘i in an 8-week program. The program has placements for students from community colleges and four-year universities from a wide range of majors. Recent graduates are also eligible (please see FAQs for more information).
Applicants must be 1) U.S. Citizens or permanent residents, 2) be at least 18 years old, 3) and from Hawai‘i or enrolled at a University of Hawai‘i campus
Upon acceptance into the program, interns are carefully matched with a project and a mentor who will supervise the intern in a 7-week project, and integrate the intern into the work environment.
Prior to starting work on the project, all interns complete a 1-week resident intensive (and fun!) preparatory course in Hilo, Hawai‘i Island or Kahului, Maui, where they meet the other interns and Akamai’s dedicated staff and team of instructors, who work with interns and mentors throughout the program to ensure a productive experience.
Interns receive coaching on communications skills, and present their work at the end of the summer at a symposium.
Interns are paid a stipend (in 2019 the amount was $3200), and are provided ISEE-sponsored housing if needed, along with travel from home island to internship site.
After completing the program, interns are invited back for occasional workshops, connected to job opportunities, and may apply for a second internship.
Why Intern with Akamai?
Akamai partners with and has placements at all the major telescopes in Hawai‘i.
Akamai prepares mentors to be effective, and helps mentors create projects that are educational and valuable contributions to the host site.
Akamai has an accomplished staff team that works with interns and mentors all summer to provide an exceptional internship experience.
Akamai does not end with the summer. Our alumni have many opportunities beyond the internship and a network that helps them advance in their careers.
Akamai alumni get jobs: more than a hundred alumni are now in jobs in Hawai‘i and beyond.