Skip to main content

Labor Summer 2026 Program- Student Fellowship Application Available Now!

Since 2023, the UC Irvine Labor Center has coordinated Labor Summer fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students. In 2023, organized labor had a historic year, from Strikes by Writers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, and United Autoworkers Workers, to national unionization efforts by Workers United with it’s Starbucks campaign. Community organizations have also led campaigns across the country in advancing issues on social justice. While participating in Labor Summer, students network with labor and community leaders while gaining skills and experience that can be applied to jobs in labor and non-governmental organizations.

 

Program Details

  • Program Dates: June 15th, 2026 – August 7th, 2026
  • Orientation & Site Placements: All student fellows will attend a week-long orientation together from June 15th – June 18th (June 19th is a paid holiday in observance of Juneteenth). The orientation will cover topics related to the U.S. labor movement, provide specialized training to develop organizing skills, and present opportunities for fellows to build relationships with their cohort members and host sites. Fellows will then spend seven weeks at a union or community-based organization in Orange County, where they will apply the skills learned in orientation week.
  • Program Closing & Presentations: The program will conclude with a closing celebration on August 7th, 2026 at UC Irvine, during which fellows will be required to give a presentation on their experience at the host site. Presentation assignment details will be provided upon selection into the program.
  • Compensation: $22.50 per hour
  • Schedule: 40 hours per week for the duration of the program. No overtime is permitted.

Program Requirements

  • Interest in working on social and economic justice issues.
  • Interest in working with labor unions and community-based organizations.
  • Ability to work with diverse communities.
  • Must be available to work 40 hours per week for the entire length of the 8-week program.
  • Must have the flexibility to work some evenings & weekends (if required by site).
  • Must have reliable transportation to work.
  • Must be an undergraduate or graduate college student. Students from all colleges are eligible to apply, however, priority is given to UC Irvine students.
  • Due to this being a full-time program, students are not permitted to take summer classes, with the exception of SE 195. UCI Social Ecology students may choose to enroll in SE 195 (Field Study). Please note: Students choosing to enroll in SE 195 for Labor Summer cannot enroll in SE 195W, as the meeting requirements interfere with the internship schedule.
  • Students fellows must complete an anonymous evaluation of Labor Summer at program closing  on August 7, 2026

UC Irvine Application Deadline: Friday, February 13th

Visit the UCI Labor Summer website for more information and to submit your APPLICATION! 

 

APPLY HERE

 

How to use Labor Summer for your Field Study: 

Students who would like to apply their Labor Summer experience toward their Field Study requirement MUST enroll in a remote summer section of SOCECOL 195 while completing their Labor Summer internship. Below are the general steps for enrolling in the summer Field Study with Labor Summer: 

1. Student applies to Labor Summer

2. Labor Center selects students (not all who apply are accepted)

3. Labor Center matches students to an internship (students don’t get to choose)

4. Labor Center sends final list of participants to Field Study office

5. Student submits Course Enrollment Form (CEF) with placement info (e.g., site name, primary contact information) to the Field Study office before the deadline, to request enrollment in a summer Field Study course.

  • PLEASE NOTE: The Summer Course Enrollment Form Will open on Wednesday, February 25.
  • Information submitted via the CEF:
    • Student information for verification of your eligibility and completion of the Field Study prerequisites
    • Your summer session selection: SUMMER SESSION I  ONLY - for Labor Center
    • Your field study course selection (Traditional Field Study - SOSCECOL 195), so we know which course we should authorize you for if you are fully eligible.
    • Your placement information, so we know where you will be completing your fieldwork hours and which supervisor to contact. Use Site # 1004

6. Field Study office processes CEFs on a rolling basis and authorizes students to enroll in a summer Field Study course

7. Field Study office checks in with each student's supervisor to complete student evaluations and verify completed hours.