1

Graduate Student Summer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Graduate Student Summer information

See California salary details

$7

$15

$22

How much do graduate student summer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student summer in California is $15.73, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $17.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are graduate student summer positions?

Graduate student summer positions are temporary roles or internships offered to graduate students during the summer months, typically lasting 8-12 weeks. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience in their field of study, conduct research, or work in industry settings. They can help students build professional networks, enhance their skills, and sometimes earn academic credit or stipends. Such positions are valuable for career development and may lead to future full-time opportunities.

What are some common challenges graduate student summer interns face, and how can they prepare for them?

Graduate student summer interns often encounter challenges such as balancing independent research or project work with learning new skills in a condensed timeframe. Adapting to a new organizational culture and collaborating with experienced professionals can also be initially daunting. To prepare, interns should proactively communicate with mentors, set clear goals early on, and seek feedback regularly. Building relationships with team members and participating in group meetings can help ease the transition and maximize the internship experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate student during a summer research or internship program, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Student in a summer program, you need a strong academic background in your field, foundational research or analytical skills, and relevant coursework or degrees in progress. Familiarity with research databases, statistical analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), and laboratory or project management tools is often essential. Initiative, effective communication, and adaptability help distinguish students who can collaborate well and tackle new challenges. These skills ensure you maximize learning opportunities, contribute meaningfully to projects, and build professional relationships during the limited summer term.

What is the difference between Graduate Student Summer vs Research Intern?

AspectGraduate Student SummerResearch Intern
Required CredentialsEnrolled graduate student, relevant courseworkUndergraduate or graduate student, often with related coursework
Work EnvironmentAcademic or corporate research settings, project-basedResearch labs, academic institutions, industry research divisions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, corporationsUniversities, research labs, corporate R&D
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding summer research opportunities for graduate studentsExploring research internship options for students

Graduate Student Summer positions typically target enrolled graduate students seeking research experience during summer breaks, often within academic or corporate research environments. Research Intern roles are similar but may include undergraduate students or those at different education levels. Both roles focus on research projects, but Graduate Student Summer positions are more tailored for graduate-level coursework and thesis work, whereas Research Interns may have broader eligibility.

What are good jobs for graduate students?

Graduate students often find part-time jobs such as research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or tutoring to be beneficial, as they align with their academic interests and offer flexible schedules. Other suitable options include internships, freelance work, or roles in retail and hospitality that provide income without conflicting with coursework. These jobs help develop skills relevant to their field and can often be scheduled around academic commitments.

What do graduate student summers do in the summer?

Graduate student summer roles typically involve research, internships, or teaching assistantships related to their field of study. These positions often provide practical experience, skill development, and networking opportunities, and may require working full-time or part-time during the summer months.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Student jobs in California?

The most popular types of Graduate Student jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Graduate Student Summer jobs in California?

For Graduate Student Summer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Student Summer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Student Summer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Graduate Student Summer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Graduate Student Summer job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Student Summer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $32,719 per year, or $15.7 per hour.

Graduate Student Assistant - Substance and Addiction Prevention - Hybrid

University Enterprises, Inc.

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$20.50 - $24/hr

Other

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Description
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is seeking to hire a Graduate Student Assistant (GSA) to work in a hybrid capacity with both remote work and work completed at the Sacramento County Coroner's office. Working under the close supervision and in a training capacity of the California Department of Public Health, Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch (SAPB), Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit. The GSA will be working with the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) team, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SUDORS is a critical part of California's fatal drug-related overdose surveillance. The GSA will abstract data from coroner, toxicology, and autopsy reports and enter this data into CDC's secure cloud-based platform for the purpose of understanding the circumstances surrounding unintentional and undetermined overdose deaths.
This position is for Graduate Students only.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.
Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.
UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week's notice.
UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.
Prerequisites
Must be a Graduate student attending classes during the regular term (fall, spring, and winter, if applicable) at a college or university.
To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf
Graduate students must be enrolled in at least: four-semester units or six quarter units. Incoming graduate students are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Graduate students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.
Majors/Fields of Study
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Science, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Economics, Education, English, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Studies, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, Psychology, Nursing, Social Science, Social Work, Sociology, or Public Health.
Work Schedule
Flexible workdays and work hours, Monday - Friday, between 8 AM - 5 PM. The final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.
Additional Work Schedule
Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday - Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).
Compensation
$20.50 - $24.00 per hour.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Must be enrolled as a Graduate Student.
  • Must be comfortable working with sensitive death-related data.
  • Must be well organized with the ability to work independently to accomplish assigned tasks accurately and by established deadlines.
  • Experienced with using Microsoft Excel and Word.
  • Must have access to a computer, reliable internet, and a secure work space.
  • Must be able to perform in-person work at the Sacramento coroner's office.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with data abstraction or data entry.
  • Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Participate as a member of the SUDORS team.
  • Attend training on SUDORS data abstraction.
  • Abstract data from death certificates, coroner, toxicology, and autopsy reports.
  • Enter data into CDC's secure cloud-based platform.
  • Conduct quality control activities on previously abstracted data.
  • Assist with other Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit activities as needed.

Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a hybrid environment.
Students/employees will be required to work according to the current UEI remote workplace policy and sign a UEI Work from Home Agreement. The decision to permit an employee to work from home is at the discretion of the supervisor or employer and may, at any time and with or without cause, unilaterally terminate the option to work from home.
Application Instructions
Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the "Educational Experience" section and any employment history in the "Employment Experience" section of our application.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Final Application Date: 8/31/2026
This position is for Graduate Students only.

University Enterprises logo

About University Enterprises

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As the nation’s leading university system, the CSU has pushed the boundaries of higher education for 60 years. We remain committed to delivering quality education, while fostering a culture of inclusion and understanding for our students and valued faculty and staff.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sacramento, CA, US