Members of the IT Support Services group at Labtech conference. (Credit: Marilyn Sargent/Berkeley Lab)
Contents
Mentoring the Next Generation
The Berkeley Lab IT Division has a long history of stewardship with community stakeholders. Since 1998, IT has mentored and employed student interns from local Bay Area colleges.
The School to Career program, now IT Support Services Internships, was originally developed by Berkeley Lab’s Diversity Office led by Harry Reed, Charlie Verboom from the IT Division, and Dr. Bidleman, an instructor with the Peralta District, as its educational partner.
IT is proud to recognize the contributions and success of mentors and students who participate in the internship program, bringing science and technology solutions to users at Berkeley Lab.
Program Overview
The IT Support Services Internships program offers valuable occupational work experience for interns scaled to the academic requirements of their respective college. Participants must be considered full time students. Interns work with an IT mentor on a part-time basis, up to 20 hours per week while in school. The internship may be as short as 3 months, but it typically lasts for 6 months or longer.
Send resumes and questions regarding the program to ccinterns@lbl.gov.
Community Outreach
The Lab’s outreach effort to community colleges is extended by the IT internship program, which works with local institutions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area region. The program goals include:
- Supporting the Lab’s stewardship goals by making contact with a diverse group of faculty and students.
- Providing community college faculty feedback on technical positions in industry.
- Providing interns with a wide exposure to real-world IT job experiences.
- Developing industry-relevant technical skills: Mac OS/Windows; desktop / laptop / tablet / mobile support; networking; programming.
- Developing job-eligible soft skills: clear communication, tact and clarity in dealing with customers, reliable and prompt response.
Impact to the Lab
The internship program champions the Lab’s stewardship goals and generates value through the following activities:
- Recruiting excellent candidates.
- Providing the Lab with necessary and reliable IT support.
- Development of management and mentoring skills for managers.
The profile of the Lab is raised through volunteering, hands-on education, and local engagement.
Intern Experiences
“Like other IT students, I started as a Desktop Support intern, responsible for technical support through the Lab’s Workstation Support Group. I leveled up to my current position of Computer Systems Engineer 2 where I am now embedded with the CAD group in the Engineering division.”
“Working with the diverse people at Berkeley Lab keeps everyday interesting. I also enjoy the endless opportunities to learn about technology.”
“We’re the front line of IT,” Kenneth explained, referring to the Help Desk group. “No matter what your position is at the Lab, if you’re running into computer problems, we’re the first ones you contact for support.”
“I’m developing technical proficiency while refining troubleshooting skills. It’s not just about knowing how to solve issues but asking the right questions — working with a customer and narrowing down the issue and working together to fix the problem.”
Recruitment
Hiring into a temporary or career position at the Lab is solely based on openings at any given time, and subject to workload and budget conditions. There is no guarantee of a job after the internship is completed. Some interns currently hold jobs at the Lab today while others go on to secure employment at other companies due to their experience in the internship program.
Advancement: IT management uses the intern program to observe possible candidates during real-time exposure to Lab systems. As a result, interns may be recruited to a full-time position when needs and opportunity align.
Pay Range: Intern salary ranges between $15-$25/hr. The rate is adjusted based on education and prior working experience.
Search: Current student job opportunities are posted at jobs.lbl.gov.
How to Apply
Review this page for all details and requirements before applying. Contact us for any questions.
Basic Requirements
- Academic Enrollment: Must be a full-time student.
- Maximum Hours: Up to 20 hours per week while in school.
- Duration: Internships typically range from 3-6 months or more.
- Application: Send a resume to ccinterns@lbl.gov. Optional: Add a cover letter to describe why you are the right candidate to join IT at Berkeley Lab.
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