Academic Internships

Choose an Internship

We offer a quarterly program to help you apply your background in gender and sexuality studies, sustainability studies, and/or queer studies in a real-world setting through an internship with a community partner.

You complete 10 hours of work per week at your internship site for the duration of the 10-week quarter while enrolled in GSST 198G.

You meet with other interns and a faculty internship coordinator once a week in a seminar format to discuss experiences, connect internships to your knowledge of social change and social justice, and explore career opportunities that draw on the academic fields of your major.

You must have permission from the faculty internship coordinator to participate. Here are a few organizations you might intern with:

California Agriculture and Food Enterprise (CAFE)
GRID Alternatives
Grow Perris/City Farm, City of Perris
Fighting 4 the Tatas
Operation SafeHouse
Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest (internship only available to participants in Planned Parenthood Generation Action)
R' Pantry
Truevolution
UCR LGBT Resource Center
UCR Women’s Resource Center

You may also work with the internship coordinator to identify other suitable placements.

Recent Intern Testimonials

	Yesenia Carranza Major: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: TruEvolution Tell us about your site and your internship: At my site, TruEvolution, I was able to learn more about HIV/AIDS and the outreach that the organization does for LGBTQ+ people. This site provides behavioral health services such as counseling and support groups. The site also does HIV testing and provides additional resources for people living with HIV/AIDS. What do you value most about your internship? What I valued most about my internship was learning more about the health disparities that the LGBTQ+ communities face in underserved areas. It was an eye-opening experience to see how important these services are for many people. What advice do you have for students thinking about participating in the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies internship? I encourage students to participate in these internships because they provide hands-on experience in organizations that many will work after graduation. These internships can also lead to other opportunities, such as networking with important people in this area. These experiences are also great additions to resumes. What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I plan to take some time to study for the GRE and apply to grad school by next fall. I am interested in Public Health, particularly with cancers that affect women of color more predominantly.
	Marcia Castro Major/Minor: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: California Agriculture and Food Enterprise Internship Website: http://cafe.ucr.edu/ Tell us about your site and your internship: I am interning at CAFE where their main goal is to eradicate food insecurity at our campus and eventually on a global scale. They are doing so through interdisciplinary research and have distinguished researchers and professors from both CNAS and CHASS on their staff to contribute to their cause. What do you value most about your internship site? I value the hard work and dedication they put into meeting the set goals they have established for their organization. They are aware of what the future may look like without stable food production and they have taken it upon themselves to fix that issue before it becomes too late. What advice do you have for students thinking about doing a GSST/SUST Internship? I advise students considering this opportunity to not think twice about it. Interning helps open the doors for many employment opportunities after they graduate due to the experience they have gained. What are your plans after graduation? After I graduate, I plan to work for a non-profit (like CAFE) or go into policy-making for my local government.
	Sawani Goonatilleke Major/Minor: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: GRID ALTERNATIVES Internship Website: https://gridalternatives.org/ Tell us about your site and your internship: GRID Alternatives is a great non-profit organization that prides itself on helping people in their community, while helping saving our planet as well. Being part of GRID for the time I was there was an amazing experience for me. Meeting an organization that was doing exactly what interested me was truly special. What do you value most about your internship site? I valued that everyone was very welcoming to me, and the fact that gave room to everyone’s opinion. They never rejected what someone said just because they did not have a high position. What an intern said was just as important as what another staff member said. I never saw this quality at a company before. What advice do you have for students thinking about doing a GSST/SUST Internship? I recommend that everyone takes advantage of this opportunity because most other majors don’t offer the opportunity to get into an internship through UCR, I have so many friends that wishes that UCR set them up with an internship. I think it is important to start on a career path now because once you get out of University it is hard to find opportunities to get on the way to a career. What are your plans after graduation? I plan to continue in a career following the path of Green Energy, and later on I would love to be part of the Environmental Protection Agency as part of our government.
	Alejandra Guillen Garcia Major/Minor: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: R’Garden Internship Website: http://rgarden.ucr.edu Tell us about your site and your internship: My internship site is the R’Garden.It is in Lot 30 behind section two. I always try to emphasize the location of the garden because not many people know about it or the resources that it provides. It provides students with in-season fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It also gives to the R’Pantry on a weekly basis. About half an acre is used for the pantry and the general community, while the other half is community plots that anyone can reserve for personal use. The garden also holds workshops that are created by the interns in which anything is taught that is related to growing your own food. Its goal is to provide the students with produce and teach them about the ways in which their food is grown. What do you value most about your internship site? What I value most about my internship site is that it was created by the students for the students. It addresses the problem of food insecurity among students and it provides a solution; free produce for those that need it. The garden and the volunteers/interns that care for it are caring of their peers and their environment. I believe the space they have created is a place where students can feel safe knowing that when they are in need they have a place to go to meet new thoughtful people, create a sense of peacefulness with the land and their surroundings, or use the resources that are provided. These attributes make me very proud to be interning in the R’Garden. What advice do you have for students thinking about doing a GSST/SUST Internship? My advice to any student going into Sustainability Studies is to use the time before graduating to experience the interdisciplinary work that the major provides. There is so much that can be done within the major, whether it be working with communities to create sustainable ways of living such as a garden, installing solar panels, teaching children about sustainability, or helping underserved communities that need electricity at an affordable sustainable price. The major provides you with an abundance of knowledge, but the experience and outside work such as internships or volunteer work will help you apply that knowledge and understand that sustainability can be implemented anywhere. I feel like that this way of going about the major will help you understand where you want your area of expertise to be concentrated in. My advice is to also come into the major not only with an open mind but also an open heart because anywhere you decide to focus on it will create a positive change and that will need a lot of heart. What are your plans after graduation? One plan I have is to intern with a non-profit organization and having a hands-on job where I am able to work directly with the community. This could be either working in a farm or garden, or helping underserved communities reach the resources they need at a sustainable and affordable price. Another plan I also have is to be get my master’s degree in Sustainability in Arizona State University, and get involved with any organizations that share my interests. While there I would also like to acquire a teaching credential which I would use in any type of grade level to teach students about sustainability and environmentalism. Hopefully, someday I will also be able to create my own type of non-profit organization and further expand helping hands anywhere that need it. In general, I would enjoy working with communities or groups of people while teaching them about sustainable ways of living.
	Angeline Jiang Major/Minor: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2021 Internship Site: The California Agriculture and Food Enterprise (CAFÉ) Internship Website: cafe.ucr.edu Tell us about your site and your internship: CAFÉ is a research organization fostering the multidisciplinary study of agriculture, food, and sustainability. Members of CAFÉ come from different schools(predominantly from CNAS, but also BCOE, CHASS, and the school of medicine) and backgrounds, working together to tackle overarching issues on campus such as food insecurity, sustainable menus, and reducing food waste for the betterment of society and the environment. What do you value most about your internship site? What I value the most about my internship would have to be the people and the work produced. Because of this opportunity, my network has expanded to include distinguished mentors I can look up to, as well as a significant friend, Marcia (the other CAFÉ intern this quarter), who I learn from and relate to. Second, I value the work that all CAFÉ members accomplish. Like a collection gears in a greater machine, everyone works with such unity and cooperation, without whom it would be difficult to make progress. Thanks to the service and dedication of all CAFÉ members, we are closer to achieving a more sustainable campus and ultimately, planet. What advice do you have for students thinking about doing a GSST/SUST Internship? The best advice I have for students thinking about doing a GSST/SUST Internship is to just apply! As a first year student myself with no merit on campus, I just assumed that I would not get the position, let alone be able to manage the additional 10 hours each week and increased responsibility. Thankfully, I applied anyways with the objective of getting familiar with the process, and to my surprise, I received referring me the opportunity to intern at CAFÉ. Even if the idea of taking on an internship may seem intimidating, you may never know what you can accomplish unless you try! What are your plans after graduation? After graduation, I hope to be fully conscious of the type of work I would like to do and be more aware of the career path options available. In order to gain work experience, I will most likely apply for position at an organization making efforts similar to CAFÉ’s, with means to positively impact the food system. If beneficial, I may eventually go to school because the learning never stops.
	Melissa Ortiz Martinez Major: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: Planned Parenthood Action Fund Tell us about your site and your internship: What my position helps in is being able to organize our events and catalog our progress. Our events and work are for our campus and our members. What do you value most about your internship? What I love about PPGA is the dedication towards reproductive justice and the interaction with different types of orgs. They realize that everything is connected whether it be supporting immigration rights, environmental policies, and the lgbtq+ community. What advice do you have for students thinking about participating in the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies internship? I think if you have the opportunity to intern at sites you find interesting then I would completely recommend it. It’s fun learning new information and gaining real life experience at an office. What are your plans after graduation? I would love to work for a nonprofit or even the city of Los Angeles. Graduate school is another opportunity I would love to pursue.
	Sunya Mauriz Major/Minor: Gender and Sexuality Year of Graduation: 2019-2020 Internship Site: TruEvolution Internship Website: https://www.truevolution.org Tell us about your site and your internship: TruEvolution is an organization that serves the greater Inland Empire providing youth with the tools and resources needed when they face discrimination, homelessness, and are in need of HIV testing. The goal of the organization is to provide a movement for young people who are underrepresented to feel they are empowered to be who they are and celebrate differences. What do you value most about your internship site? Overall I found TruEvolutions community building to be most impactful. Through their annual Youth United Conference, they create a space that allows for the youth to come together and speak about their experiences, connect with one another, and have fun. The community building is alive in all that they do. What advice do you have for students thinking about doing a GSST/SUST Internship? The internship program is truly an eye-opening experience, and anyone that can should participate in at least one internship experience. But what I found, being apart of the GSST internship, was the amount of knowledge one gains not just about what you anticipate to gain, but also other opportunities that come out of networking with your peers. It really allows for you to gain insight into what is going on in the world on a deeper level. What are your plans after graduation? I am planning to continue my education, in hopes of getting into medical school, and helping underrepresented communities have better access to healthcare. I have grown up in the IE, and through TruEvolution and my own experiences, I have witnessed communities in need of doctors who are aware of their needs, and I hope to deliver that and more.
	Kathy Maximo Major: Sociology Minor: Gender and Sexuality Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: UCR Women’s Resource Center Tell us about your site and your internship: The WRC is a welcoming center for everyone. The center provides free menstrual products, free printing (10 page limit per day), access to computers, and a microwave. They also have a Keurig so people can make coffee or tea. The WRC works with Campus Safety Escort as well. My internship consisted of front desk duties, campaign projects, and answering any questions students had. What do you value most about your internship? I value the people I met the most. The people that make up WRC makes the internship experience amazing. What advice do you have for students thinking about participating in the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies internship? To build friendships/relationships, go above and beyond, and overall make the most out of it. Have fun and enjoy it because I promise you’ll miss being there. What are your plans after graduation? I plan to join the Police Academy with the hopes to eventually become a personal investigator.
	Levina Parada Major: Sustainability Studies Year of Graduation: 2020 Internship Site: UCR California Agriculture and Food Enterprise (CAFÉ) Tell us about your site and your internship: CAFÉ is “a research catalyst initiative facilitating the integrative, multidisciplinary study of complex issues associated with agriculture, food, and sustainability for the betterment of the health and well-being of humanity and the planet”. CAFÉ held a conference “Wedges against Global Hunger in 2050" to bring together speakers from various backgrounds, including social sciences, agriculture, engineering, and public policy, to discuss the goal of achieving global food security by 2050. My role in this internship was to familiarize myself with this conference and the initiatives of CAFÉ and to update the website. My peers and I also worked together in dividing up tasks, and we posted resources via FlipBook and highlighted recent UCR research related to food and agriculture. What do you value most about your internship? I am grateful that I had this opportunity and was able to work with programs such as AdobeSpark, and AdobeIllustrator, that I otherwise don’t have access to. I also loved the class discussions that Dr. Guenther facilitated, and the close-knit type of setting that was developed. We got to learn and listen to each others’ experiences and create a space for feedback and constructive suggestions. What advice do you have for students thinking about participating in the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies internship? For those considering participating in the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies internship, I say do it! There are many different options to consider, both on campus, and outside the campus community.
	Gabe Pineda Major: Gender and Sexuality Studies & Media and Cultural Studies Year of Graduation: 2022 Internship Site: UCR LGBT Resource Center (LGBTRC) Tell us about your site and your internship: The LGBTRC is a campus resource office within Costo Hall that provides support, education, and advocacy regarding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression for the UC Riverside community and beyond. As an Intern, I had the opportunity to work alongside the student staff team and the three amazing professional staff members that always made sure I was comfortable and productive within my work. Some of my responsibilities included helping out with various tasks associated with the functions of the LGBTRC (office work, programming, and etc.) and designing my own individual project that would contribute to the LGBTRC Archives. What do you value most about your internship? The relationships I built with the LGBTRC professional staff was what I valued the most during my internship. Alongside accommodating my schedule and allowing me to openly express my creativity and personality, the LGBTRC professional staff constantly communicated with me on any projects or assignments. Even after my internship, they all continue to be a huge support system in my life and are truly a part of my “chosen family”. What advice do you have for students thinking about participating in the Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies internship? Definitely take advantage of this opportunity to not only strengthen your resume, but also to expose yourself to your possible future. Since GSST/SUST are considered an interdisciplinary department, there is a wide range of fields (non-profit, student affairs, and etc.) you could access with this opportunity. In addition to this, Professor Katja Guenther, the Internship Coordinator, is a phenomenal resource for all interns and always pushed us to do our best within our Internship sites. What are your plans after graduation? After graduating from UC Riverside, I plan on furthering my education into graduate school as I work towards a doctoral degree. I hope to continue conducting research of the LGBTQ+ community and the various intersections within the community.