USC CANDLE Jr. Intern Program
Summer 2026
Los Angeles, California | Paid High School Internship (Ages 16–18)
Design the Future of Education—From the Inside
The USC CANDLE (Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education) at the University of Southern California invites motivated high school students to apply for its Jr. Intern Program, a paid, in-person summer opportunity based in Los Angeles.
This unique program brings students into the heart of cutting-edge research and innovation focused on how adolescents learn, develop, and find meaning in school. At USC CANDLE, we believe students are not just participants in education—they are essential partners in shaping it.
By bringing student voice into research, practice, and innovation, this program helps shape a more meaningful and developmentally aligned future for education.
Why This Program Matters
Most schools are not designed around how adolescents actually grow and learn. USC CANDLE’s research shows that young people learn best when education connects to their emotions, identity, and sense of purpose—what we call transcendent thinking.
The Jr. Intern Program is designed to:
– Elevate student voice in the design of education
– Bridge research and real classrooms through student insight
– Develop the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators
Interns will contribute directly to real projects that influence how schools can better support student growth, engagement, and well-being.
Program Overview
– Location: University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
– Dates: Approximately late June – mid August (flexible based on school schedules)
– Duration: ~6 weeks
– Time Commitment: ~100 hours total
– Compensation: Paid (California-compliant hourly wage)
– Format: Primarily in-person
What Students Will Gain
Interns will:
– Learn how neuroscience and psychology inform education
– Develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication
– Experience a university research environment
– Build confidence in sharing ideas with adults and professionals
– Contribute to meaningful, real-world change in education
What Interns Will Do
1. Participate in a National Design Sprint (Key Experience) July 19–24 (Full-Time Week)
Interns will work alongside educators from across the country who are designing new classroom approaches.
They will:
– Collaborate with teacher teams
– Provide real-time feedback on classroom ideas
– Help evaluate what feels engaging, relevant, and meaningful
– Contribute to shaping real educational innovations
– This is not observation—students will act as co-designers.
2. Engage in Real Research
– Interns will be introduced to research on:
– Adolescent brain development
– Emotion and learning
– Identity, meaning-making, and motivation
They may:
– Support qualitative research activities
– Reflect on findings from a student perspective
– Offer insights on how research connects to real school experiences
3. Work Across Multiple Projects
Interns rotate through different areas of USC CANDLE’s work:
– Education & Practice: Classroom innovation and program design
– Communications: Storytelling and public-facing content
– Events: Supporting workshops and convenings
– Operations: Understanding how a research center runs
4. Reflect and Contribute Student Insight
A core part of the program is structured reflection:
– Discussions about students’ own educational experiences
– Opportunities to share ideas with researchers and educators
– Contribution to a student-informed output (e.g., recommendations, presentation, or report)
Who Should Apply
We are looking for students who are:
– Currently in high school (ages 16–18)
– Curious about learning, development, or education
– Reflective about their own school experiences
– Comfortable sharing ideas and perspectives
– Able to participate in person in Los Angeles, including the full Design Sprint week
No prior research experience is required. Curiosity, thoughtfulness, and engagement matter most.
For Educators and Parents
This program offers students a rare opportunity to:
– Engage with leading research on adolescent development
– Build professional and academic skills
– Contribute meaningfully to improving education systems
Students will be supported in a structured, collaborative environment alongside experienced educators, researchers, and practitioners.