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Internship & Fellowship Programs

Gain meaningful, hands-on experience while reconnecting with the natural world. Our programs bridge academic learning with community impact across environmental justice, education, and organizational development.

Internship and Fellowship Program
12+
Fellows Annually
Eligibility
All Majors Welcome
Commitment
20 Hrs/Week Max
Term Length
3–6 Month Terms
Annual Fellows
12 Participants
Location
San Diego-Based

Four steps to
begin your journey

Our internship program welcomes students from all majors ready to explore a holistic, nature-centered approach to learning. The process is straightforward — explore tracks, submit your interest, and we take it from there.

01
Review Internship Tracks

Explore available pathways to understand roles, expectations, and skills you'll develop. Each track supports our mission in environmental justice, community education, and organizational development.

02
Submit Interest Form

Complete the online form so we can learn about your background, interests, and availability. This step places you into our review queue for consideration.

03
Await Initial Review

Our team reviews submissions weekly. Eligible applicants are invited to attend interviews to discuss the role, expectations, and team alignment.

04
Create Your Dashboard

If selected, you'll receive instructions to set up your ASCENDtials Dashboard — your central hub for signing your agreement, accessing onboarding materials, and program updates.

What you'll
gain with us

Holistic Education
Learning
Holistic Education

Connect with the elements — Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. This grounded approach deepens your understanding of their role in preserving both the environment and humanity.

Practical Experience
Hands-On
Practical Experience

Support research in your chosen field, participate in literacy workshops, and engage in activities that promote sustainable practices and community impact.

Community Impact
Purpose
Community Impact

Your work helps bridge gaps in learning, offering a broader perspective on self-awareness and collective responsibility within San Diego's BIPOC communities.

Vendor Integration
New Opportunity
Vendor Integration at Farmers' Markets

As an intern or fellow, you can participate in our farmers' markets — one of ASCENDtials' most vibrant forms of community engagement. This integration lets you practice business development, sustainability, and community outreach skills in a real-world setting.

Learn About Vendor Integration

Art, healing, and
ancient wisdom

Our ASCEND Fellowship annually selects up to 12 fellows from U.S. and international institutions to explore decolonization through art rooted in ancient Kemet. Participants engage deeply with healing, movement, and climate-centered work.

Up to 12 fellows selected annually from U.S. and international institutions

Healing sessions, Kemetic Yoga, and climate-centered activities throughout the program

Culminates in a public exhibition showcasing fellows' work and impact

2027 program accepting applicants in early 2026 — follow school-year calendar

Monet Nyree Panza — ASCENDtials Fellow
Monet Nyree Panza
ASCENDtials Fellow · San Diego, CA

Meet our
active interns

Calypso Martellini
Grant Researcher Intern
Alex Lee
Graphic Design Intern
Ananya Almeida
Data & Systems Intern
Nicholas Lennox, Sheng Huang, Drew Biagan & Tasnuva Rawshan
Business Development Interns
Kaishuai Sun & Kevin Wang
Web Programmer Interns
Publishing / Editorial Lead
Position open — apply now

Available positions
for interns

Event Coordinator and Social Media Lead
Poetry and Writing Club Intern
Book Club Intern
Videographer
Program Manager / Team Lead
Fundraising Coordinator
Monthly Job Fairs
Monthly Event
Online Job Fairs

ASCENDtials hosts monthly online Job Fairs with a wide range of internship and volunteer opportunities across industries — copywriting, fundraising, grant writing, UX design, web programming, and more. Participate from anywhere.

Learn More

Internship
FAQs

Everything you need to know before applying. Can't find your answer? Reach out to us directly.

Contact Us
What are my hours?
You're expected to be available Monday–Friday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. PST. Work is a combination of online and in-person workshops. If your internship is 10 hours per week, a minimum of 3 hours per month will be in workshops. All hours must be documented weekly through the timekeeping app.
Are these paid positions?
These aren't paid positions. Students are able to receive academic credit, letters of reference, and valuable real-world skills and tools that last a lifetime.
What is the expected workload?
Most interns work up to 20 hours per week and are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT. Internships follow a syllabus with expected outcomes, regular check-ins with mentors, and presentations/learning sessions with deliverables.
How long is the internship period?
Internships follow school terms and are three to six months in length. They end in June or after the semester ends.
Who do I contact when I need time off?
Notify your supervisor as soon as possible — ideally a few days in advance. If unavoidable with one day's notice, please secure your own substitute and inform your supervisor of the change.
Do we have any major requirements or language prerequisites?
We allow students to apply based on interest and experience in the role. Each role specifies its own requirements. We require a resume and proof of enrollment from all applicants.
What is the social media policy?
Please don't spend time on social media during work hours, and refrain from posting about your internship or our organization on social media without prior approval.
What happens when my internship ends?
You'll complete an evaluation process with your lead and hiring manager. Once complete, you're encouraged to apply for any open positions. ASCENDtials considers all former interns and volunteers part of our Alumni community.
How often should I check in with my supervisor?
At least once a week. On your first day, you'll be given a recurring meeting time with your team lead and the hiring manager.
What if I'm overwhelmed?
Talk to your mentor to ensure you understand project expectations correctly, or speak with your lead to reevaluate expectations and your workload. Everyone here wants you to succeed.

Alumni
network

ASCENDtials considers all former employees and volunteers alumni of the organization. We continue building these relationships with community leaders — supporting them with resources, connecting them with members, and celebrating their growth beyond the program.

2026
Editorial / Publishing
Ayden HalvorsonEditorial/Publishing Intern · San Diego
Jocelyn CoronaEditorial/Publishing Support · Monterey Bay
Fundraising / Business Dev
Kristina MontgomeryFundraising Intern · Monterey Bay
Admin / Program Support
Koby NgoyProgram Support Coordination · Monterey Bay
Riho MaekawaProgram Support Coordination · Monterey Bay
Chad GoodwinProgram Support Coordination · San Diego
Keri BissetteCommunity Partnership Coordinator · New Orleans
Marketing / Media
Monica UmCommunity Outreach Support · Monterey Bay
Research / Writing
Josselyn HernandezCopywriter · California
Web Dev / UX Design
Yashvi PatelWeb Developer Intern · New York
Ruhan PanditWeb Developer Intern · New York
2025
Editorial / Publishing
Carlotta HaroldEditorial/Publishing Intern · New Orleans
Jhalla EdrisiEditorial/Publishing Intern · San Antonio
Margot SchillerEditorial/Publishing Intern
Kara WorrellsEditorial/Publishing Intern
Indira SernaCopywriter/Editor Intern
Fundraising / Business Dev
Stephanie TranFundraising Intern · California
Harsha SartandelBusiness Development Volunteer · Atlanta
Anais MardirosianBusiness Development Intern · Los Angeles
Dalal HarajliBusiness Development Intern · Michigan
Kailar AhnBusiness Development Intern · New Jersey
Ameila BadamjavBusiness Development Intern · San Diego
Web Dev / UX Design
Brennan SlateWeb Developer Volunteer · California
Ranya GhaliWeb Developer Intern · New York
Jamie IpUX Designer Volunteer · California
Priscilla DiazWeb Developer Intern · New York
Adrian OlivasWeb Developer Volunteer · California
Graphic Design
Gisselle CortezGraphic Designer · Arizona
Esra TurhanGraphic Design Volunteer · Washington
Luna SuGraphic Design Intern · California
Shaurya KapoorGraphic Design Volunteer · California
Stephen TobinGraphic Design Volunteer · California
Admin / Program Support
Matthew RossProgram Support · California
Tina HallAdmin/Project Coordinator · California
Mikayla EwingAdmin/Project Coordinator · California
Research / Writing
Linnea SellersGrant Assistant
Vera MartinoskaExecutive Editor · Worcester
Kennadi YatesCopywriter Volunteer · California
2024
Web Dev / UX Design
Yana HarcourtUX Designer Volunteer Lead · Portugal
Suhird GiriWeb Programmer Intern Lead · Pullman
Marcus BartonUX Designer Volunteer · San Diego
Andre ManiWeb Programmer Volunteer · Brazil
Sophia RamirezUX Designer Intern · San Diego
Graphic Design / Book Club
Hao LuongGraphic Designer · San Diego
Grace KimGraphic Designer · Seattle
Marina AsoskovaGraphic Designer Lead · Israel
Hanyi WangBook Club and Graphic Artist · San Diego
Editorial / Publishing
Naomi MorrisonEditorial/Publishing Intern Lead · San Diego
Teagan NathePublishing Lead · Seattle
Karen EdmondEditor/Copyright Lead · Oregon
Anya KennellyEditorial/Publishing Assistant · Santa Barbara
Fundraising / Business Dev
Rumaisha ChowdhuryBusiness Development Intern Lead · Toronto
Hejun RuanFundraising Lead · La Jolla
Preranaa BalasubramanianFundraising Intern Lead · Livermore
Research / Writing
Yen NguyenGrant Researcher/Writer · Washington
Melissa PradoGrant Researcher/Writer · San Diego
Karthik SivaswamyLegal Support Volunteer Lead · La Jolla
Admin / Program Support
Sayantani GuhaVolunteer Support Lead · San Diego
Reona BowlesAdmin/Project Coordinator · San Diego
Jacqueline GamboaEvent Support · Oceanside
2023
Admin / Program Support
Robert NeblettProgram Manager · Houston
Symone FarmerProject Manager · Seattle
Vrattika BindalProject Manager · San Francisco
Marketing / Media
Aliyah YoungSocial Media Marketing Lead · San Diego
Diamond TannerSocial Media Copywriter · Las Vegas
Ananya KaranResearcher/Social Media · India
Research / Writing
Corey MoonStudent Researcher · New Jersey
Joel ChuStudent Researcher · Singapore
Chloe HuangResearcher Intern · Tacoma
2022
Fundraising / Business Dev
Rachelle SuissaDevelopment and Fund Manager · New York
Allison HjelleFundraising Coordinator · San Diego
Marketing / Media
Lauren CazellSocial Media Marketing Intern · New York
Zoe BroussardCommunications Marketing Strategist · San Jose
Micah AdamsVideographer · San Diego
Web Dev / UX Design
Jada AlexanderWeb Developer · Arizona
Daniel TangWeb Developer Intern · Cornell
Meghana MoodagopadiWeb Developer · Rhode Island
Join the Team

Become one of
our interns

Ready to explore a holistic, nature-centered approach to learning? Begin your journey with ASCENDtials today.