CUNY's RISE Environmentor Internship for High School Students—Is It Worth It?
STEM internships have a number of different benefits for high school students. These internships provide hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and math, allowing you to gain practical skills, engage in real-world problem-solving, and explore career paths early on. Additionally, colleges hold internships in high regard as they showcase your initiative and intellectual curiosity.
The Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Environmentor internship is one such program. RISE is a non-profit, community-based organization in New York, and Environmentor is one of its youth internships for high schoolers who want hands-on experience in environmental science. Read on to find out if this program is the right fit for you.
How is the internship structured?
The Enironmentor internship is a research mentorship for high school students interested in environmental science research. As an intern, you will be paired with a scientist from a local university or research institution and work on an individual research project. The projects generally include the opportunity to conduct hands-on research on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline.
Previous students have worked on topics like salt marsh restoration, sea turtle stranding, air quality monitoring, bottlenose dolphin biodiversity, pinniped stranding, dolphin morphology, and more. Along with the project, you will also learn water safety and CPR techniques and participate in kayaking, surfing, and biking activities.
Here are a few basic details of the internship:
Dates: June 5 – August 5, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Class times: Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: RISE Center, Far Rockaway, NY
Who is eligible?
You are eligible to apply for the Environmentor internship if you meet the following criteria:
You are a high school student in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grades
You live in or attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
You live in New York City
Students who have participated in the organization’s Shore Corps program will be prioritized
Is there a cost or stipend?
There is no cost to take part in the Environmentor internship, and yes, you will receive a stipend. The stipend amount can go up to $1,200. You will also earn community service hours by taking part in community service events as part of the program.
What is the acceptance rate? Is it prestigious?
RISE’s Environmentor internship is a moderately prestigious program. Although the acceptance rate is not publicly available, RISE is a reputed body known for its work in environmental research and social justice issues. The internship itself features unique hands-on work, engages in community service, and offers a significant stipend. Accepting about 12-15 students per cohort, the program is fairly selective, which adds to its prestige. However, keep in mind that participation is limited to students from New York City, so this program is not as selective as those that accept applications from across the country or even the world.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Hands-on experience: This internship offers unique practical experience on Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway shoreline, which is not easily available in other programs.
A completed research project: After this internship, you will have a completed independent research project which will enhance your profile in a significant way, demonstrating your skills and dedication to the field.
Community engagement: The community service involved in the program fosters a sense of responsibility and is another unique feature among research programs.
Financial benefit: The program offers a notable stipend which makes the internship accessible to a larger number of students.
Networking: You will build a connection with your mentor (a professional scientist or researcher) as well as other professionals in environmental science, which could help with future opportunities.
Prestige: As mentioned above, the program is fairly prestigious, and having it on your profile can improve your college applications.
Cons
Niche focus: The specialized focus on environmental sciences makes the internship suitable for students who want to pursue a career in the field but might not be the best choice for those who are still exploring their interests.
High selectivity: The program is relatively selective and you might not want to spend time and energy on a program application that has a low acceptance rate.
Geographical limitation: The internship is limited to students in New York City, and as a commuter program, there could be a fair bit of daily traveling involved.
Is it worth it?
With its focus on hands-on work, community engagement, and independent research work, the RISE Environmentor internship is a valuable opportunity for high school students. It’s a fairly prestigious program, has a substantial stipend, and offers the chance to receive mentorship from a professional scientist. These benefits outweigh the issues of geographical limitations and selectivity, and the program could be a stepping stone toward your future career.
However, the internship has a specialized focus and is best suited for those who are passionate about environmental science and research. Students who are still unsure of their career path might want to consider programs that explore multiple disciplines. Ultimately, you must consider your personal interests and career goals to decide whether the Environmentor program is a good fit for you or not.
One other option — the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.