The Illinois State Geological Survey is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program for the Summer of 2025.

This year’s summer cohort has been selected from a large and extremely competitive application pool. We are excited to welcome this talented group of interns and look forward to the fresh ideas and perspectives they will bring. Our team is ready for another enriching summer of hands-on learning, collaborative research, and meaningful contributions to our ongoing projects. As there were many well-qualified applicants, we hope those not selected this year will consider applying again in the future. We deeply appreciate the time, effort, and enthusiasm shown by everyone who applied.

About the Internship

This prestigious program celebrates the remarkable legacy of Paul E. Potter (1925–2020), a pioneering sedimentologist and stratigrapher whose contributions have shaped our understanding of sedimentary basins. His early career began at ISGS, where he mentored colleagues and advanced geological research. He later taught at the University of Cincinnati, leaving an enduring legacy as an educator and researcher. The Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program, funded by his generous bequest, continues his mission to inspire and equip the next generation of geoscientists.

The Potter Internship offers students hands-on experience in geologic research and fieldwork, focusing on issues relevant to Illinois. Over 10 weeks, interns will collaborate with ISGS professionals on cutting-edge projects, gaining valuable skills and contributing to meaningful research.

Eligibility

Open to undergraduate and master’s students enrolled at any accredited U.S. higher education institution.

Timing

The internship must be completed in 10 continuous weeks, full-time (40 hours per week). Start and end dates of the internship are flexible to accommodate the varied academic schedules of our applicants. As deemed appropriate by project managers, interns may start as early as May 16, 2025, and may complete their internship as late as August 15, 2025.

Compensation

Stipend

$7,500 total, distributed in three monthly payments of $2,500 on June 16, July 16, and August 16, 2025.

Breakdown

• $5,000 for full-time participation (40 hours/week)
• $2,500 to support housing, meals, and travel to and from Champaign-Urbana.
• Interns are responsible for arranging their accommodation and transportation.

Previous Internship Highlights

In recent years, interns have worked on diverse and impactful projects, including:

2024: Aquifer mapping, REE exploration, paleoenvironmental tracers, carbon sequestration, and environmental geology.

2023: Geophysics and stratigraphy.

2022: Coastal geology, wetlands research, geochemistry, and hydrogeology.

For specific inquiries, contact us at PotterInternship@isgs.illinois.edu.