Social Science Internship
Social Science Internship Opportunity
Offered in collaboration with Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS), Stanford University.
Foothill College partners with the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS) at Stanford University to offer hands-on research internship opportunities for community college students interested in social science fields. This collaboration includes support from the Foothill Internship Office, the Dean of Business & Social Sciences, and Mission College Social Sciences.
Where can I Apply?There are two application periods: beginning of fall quarter and beginning of spring quarter.Apply Now |
About The Program
The Stanford IRiSS Social Science Research Assistant Internship places community college students into volunteer positions in active Stanford University research labs. Interns work under the guidance of Stanford graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in disciplines such as psychology, sociology, psychophysiology, education, communications, and other areas of the social sciences. This experience provides valuable professional mentoring and exposure to research careers.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must commit to 3 to 15 hours per week during the academic year (fall, winter, spring)
- For summer internships, must commit to at least 6 hours per week.
- Must have reliable transportation to Stanford University (parking fees may apply).
- Must be able to participate for three consecutive quarters or 9 weeks in Summer.
- Must be enrolled at a San Francisco Bay Area college during the internship period (no summer enrollment required if enrolled in the previous Spring).
Option 1 (Foothill College or Mission College) – Successful completion of one quarter
of participation in the Stanford IRiSS Research Experience Program (REP) in a participating community college psychology or sociology class.
The following instructors offer the Research Experience Program (REP) in some of their classes.
- Eta Lin (Psychology).
- Florina Petcu (Psychology).
- Ben Stefonik (Psychology.
- Justin Gauthier (Psychology).
- Sarah Strader (Psychology).
- Patricia Gibbs (Sociology).
- Mark Bauermeister (Sociology).
- Jeff Cormier (Sociology & Psychology).
- Jen Constantin (Psychology).
- Karen Gee (Psychology).
- Ian Richardson (Psychology).
GROUP A
- POLS C1000 (Amer Politics)
GROUP B
- STAT C1000 or MATH 10 (Elementary Statistics)
All four required items must be complete and included. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Students must confirm that their faculty recommender submits the recommendation form.
Required items:
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Current resume (PDF).
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One paragraph describing research interests and weekly availability.
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Unofficial transcripts in one readable file (PDF or scanned document). Foothill students can retrieve transcripts from MyPortal.
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One faculty recommendation (name and email address ONLY). Faculty will receive an emailed link to their Faculty Recommendation Form.
The link is only active during the open application window. If a link issue occurs, refer to the Research Assistant Intern Program website.
Application Tips
Do I have to finish my class requiring REP before applying?
You must have completed REP in a previous quarter to apply during the Fall application period. During the Spring application period, you qualify if you completed REP in a previous quarter, or if you are enrolled in a course requiring REP during Spring Quarter. In all cases, you must successfully complete REP before starting your internship.
Who should I ask for a recommendation?
Faculty recommenders can be any faculty member—it does not have to be a social science faculty member or someone from a particular college.
May I attach additional recommendation letters/other materials?
Please do not provide additional documentation beyond what is requested. It will not be reviewed.
What should I put on my résumé?
Please be sure to put your name at the top of each document.
Résumé examples and assistance may be provide at your college library. It is fine to list relevant courses and volunteer experiences. We do not require you to have extensive work experience.
What should I put in my research interest statement?
Please be specific in your research interests paragraph. It's helpful for us to know if you have broad interests, but please give at least one specific example as well.
I haven't heard back yet, what should I do?
Please note that some researchers have specific requirements for their research project. Therefore, if you do not receive an interview, it is not a reflection on your ability, but can be due to the quirks of the particular research projects being undertaken that year.
If you do not hear from a research supervisor by the notification date, you will not be interviewed. We appreciate your interest in the program. Please try again next year if you will still be enrolled at the community college.
Summer 2026 and/or Academic Year 2026-27 - Apply in April, 2026
- Applications open March 25, and are due Thursday, April 16, 2026, by 11:59 pm.
- Interviews will take place between May 1-11, 2026.
- Offers must be accepted by Wednesday, May 13.
- Summer Internships run from June 22 - August 21, 2026.
- Academic Year 2026-27 Internships run from September 21, 2026 to May 21, 2027.
You must be enrolled in a San Francisco Bay Area college during the academic year (no enrollment requirement in summer).
Academic Year 2026-27 – Apply in October 2026
- Applications open September 21, and are due Thursday, October 8, 2026, by 11:59 pm.
- Interviews will take place between October 13 – October 18.
- Offers must be accepted by Tuesday, October 20.
- Academic Year Internships run from November 2, 2026 - May 21, 2027.
Academic Year Internships may be extended into the following Summer Quarter.
Contact UsBen Stefonik, Psychology Department Chair650.949.7473 stefonikben@fhda.edu |
