Teen internships pave a pathway to careers — and belonging — in science

Science and Health

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For more than 30 years, the California Science Center has worked to build a pathway for local teens to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics — and at the very least, show them science isn’t boring.

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Teen internships pave a pathway to careers — and belonging — in science

The paid Community Teen Intern program is open to students who live or attend school near the center’s Exposition Park campus, and starting their sophomore year of high school.“A lot of our students from these communities are from under-resourced communities, and so we want to break down barriers and give them access to science,” said Community Program Manager Rosemary Garista.

Black, Latino and women workers have long been underrepresented in science, tech, engineering and math-related jobs.The pandemic may have further damaged the educational pipeline to these jobs. Research from the Public Policy Institute of California found the COVID-19 pandemic “derailed science education” because few schools prioritized the subject, provided additional support for students and requested help from county education agencies.

Community teen interns Ingryd Hernandez (left) and Anaya Camacho. Both say the experience has changed their career aspirations. Hernandez wants to study radiology and Camacho is interested in dermatology. (Mariana Dale/LAist)

Finding a sense of belonging in scienceHuntington Park High School senior Ingryd Hernandez had never visited the Science Center before someone came to her class to talk about the internship.“ There were so many, like, other smarter kids than me. I was like ‘Oh my god, I do not belong here,’” Hernandez remembered thinking after she found out her internship application was accepted. “They… made me feel so welcomed and it made me calm down and be like, ‘I did deserve to be here because… they might have seen something that I didn’t see in me.’”Since she started in fall 2022, Hernandez has researched plant growth, air and space, and worked at the center’s summer camp.

Participate in the community teen intern program

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year will open in August 2025

Requirements:High school student between grades 10-12Live or go to school within a 3 mile radius of the California Science CenterMaintain a 2.0 GPALegally eligible to work in the U.S. Compensation: $17.28 an hour

The interns also meet with center staff, from the CEO to the marine life veterinarians.“Seeing the diversity of people that are here, too, with different, like, backgrounds and wanting to go into different fields,” Hernandez said. “It’s just mind-opening.”

California Science Center summer campers float various objects in the streams of air rising from a Bernoulli table. (Mariana Dale/LAist)

Finding a second homeSome students stick around even after graduation.Program alumna Julissan Gonzalez is studying mechanical engineering and astronomy at Santa Monica College and mentors other students in STEM. She said working at the Science Center helped her overcome imposter syndrome, the feeling that she didn’t belong in the field.

Julissan Gonzalez joined a program to mentor other STEM students at Santa Monica College. She plans to go to grad school and hopes to one day work at NASA. (Mariana Dale/LAist)

“That’s where I started to build my networking, talking to others,” Gonzalez said. “That’s actually where my journey started.”Gonzalez now works part-time in the center’s education department.“ I could say this very proudly, I consider the Science Center as a second home,” Gonzalez said.On an August day during the center’s summer camp, Anaya Camacho explained to dozens of elementary school students how pounding their fists into the bouncy drum-like surface of an air cannon rippled the sequined curtain hanging above them.

“ When I first tried it, I was in awe myself,” Camacho said. “Like, ‘Wow, I can really see the force of the air hitting against it.’”

Camacho said her internship experience has made her feel more confident in school.“ I am not afraid to share my knowledge,” Camacho said. “I will help anybody that’s confused, and I feel like this program has also taught me how to break down science into simpler terms to make it easier for somebody to understand.”The community teen interns usually sign on for a year, but can extend for up to three. Camacho is now in her second year.“I really, like, have never been in, like, such a positive place,” Camacho said. “At school, you don’t really look forward to it. But here, it’s my Saturday morning. I wake up kind of tired, but I can’t wait to go to work on Saturday.”

Science Center youth programs

Other programs for youth at the California Science Center

Summer CampAge range: pre-K to 8th gradeDates: June to August 2025Cost: Prices to be determined, scholarships availableEnrollment: Opens February 2025

Field trips Age range: kindergarten through 8th grade. Maximum of 28 students per session. Cost: $415 per session. Reservations required at least two weeks in advance. There are also free virtual field trip materials (videos, activity guides, etc.)

Homeschool days Various days in 2025 where homeschool students can explore the exhibits, classes and hands-on activitiesAge range: 5- to 13-years-oldCost: $50 non-members, $45 members — pre-registration required

Outsourcing giant Serco says business pipeline is at its strongest in more than a decade

Business News

Outsourcing giant Serco expects its pipeline of new business opportunities to close 2024 at its strongest level for more than a decade.The Hampshire-based firm said it had enjoyed a ‘much improved’ order intake during the second half of this year, supported by new contracts from the defence industry in North America.Consequently, the group anticipates its organic revenue will fall by just 1 per cent over the period, compared to 5 per cent in the prior six months, despite forecasting lower revenues from its UK immigration contract.Serco’s sales have been aided by acquisitions, particularly the German immigration services provider European Homecare, and contracts from the defence, justice and citizen services sectors.Among the deals recently won by the company was a £175million extension by the Department for Work and Pensions to provide the Restart Scheme in Wales and West Central England.It also gained a $320million contract from the US Army Corps of Engineers for work on an electrical plant at the US Space Force’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Getting better: Serco said it had enjoyed a ‘much improved’ order intake during the second half of this year, supported by new contracts from the defence industry in North AmericaMark Irwin, its chief executive, said: ‘We built stronger trading momentum in the second half of the year, particularly in our North America business, and delivered good margin gains.He added: ‘Our strong cash generation and balance sheet have enabled us to complete our largest ever share buyback during the year.’The firm still predicts its overall turnover will total about £4.8billion in 2024, marginally down on the £4.9billion recorded the prior year.However, it forecasts underlying operating profits increasing by approximately 9 per cent to £270million due to recent takeovers and ‘efforts to improve the productivity and efficiency’ of the business.Serco has also raised its annual free cash flow guidance by £20million to £170million and said adjusted net debts would be around the same amount better than previously expected at £145million.While the latter figure is an increase on 2023 levels, Serco anticipates it will more than halve to £60million by the end of next year.It said a continued strong performance in North America and new contracts would help offset rising labour costs in the UK and weaker revenues from immigration.In November, Serco warned that the incoming hike in employers’ National Insurance rates would grow its direct staff costs by an estimated £20million. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: ‘It’s been a difficult decade for Serco, which started with scandals, losses and a strained balance sheet and has seen an uneven recovery since.’Order intake was much improved in the second half of the year; cash generation looks robust; and the balance sheet is in reasonable shape.’This creates the conditions for the company to invest for future growth and return capital to shareholders.’Serco Group shares were 6.3 per cent higher at 147.5p on Thursday morning, making them the FTSE 250 Index’s top performer.DIY INVESTING PLATFORMSAffiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.Compare the best investing account for you

FICCI & ONDC partner to Boost Digital Transformation in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel

<!––> FICCI and ONDC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the digital experience in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Through this collaboration, FICCI will work closely with industry stakeholders, including travel companies, tour operators, and hospitality providers, to promote digital e-commerce powered by ONDC’s network. Additionally, FICCI will engage with…

FICCI & ONDC partner to Boost Digital Transformation in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel

<!––> FICCI and ONDC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the digital experience in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Through this collaboration, FICCI will work closely with industry stakeholders, including travel companies, tour operators, and hospitality providers, to promote digital e-commerce powered by ONDC’s network. Additionally, FICCI will engage with…