The TARGET program is a highly competitive six-week summer internship opportunity for Illinois high school sophomores and juniors who have strong interest and demonstrated aptitude for physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering. The program’s goals are to encourage high school students to undertake college study and pursue careers in STEM disciplines.
TARGET encourages and aims to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities (Black, Hispanic/Latino, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Alaska Native/American Indian) and women in the sciences and engineering at the college level and consequently the workforce.
The program’s design combines both work and experiential learning. Annually, the TARGET program cohort is approximately 15-25 interns. The TARGET program provides the opportunity to work with scientists and engineers at Fermilab.
Stay on top of deadlines
The TARGET program takes place every summer, and applications are due the previous winter.
Apply here
TARGET at a glance
What TARGET students have to say:
“The workshops were helpful for preparing for college and the future. My favorite workshops were visionboards, the ecology tour, and the college preparation workshops.”
“The tours were fun. It was nice to see the whole of Fermilab. Seeing the multiple labs and testing facilities was amazing as well. It put the full scale of Fermilab into perspective.”
“I think my supervisor and coworkers were the most impactful for me because I learned a lot from them, and really saw how I could see myself in this field in the future.
TARGET News
- What is quantum mechanics really all about? | Fermilab YouTube – November 18, 2019
- Special Thanks: Emma Davila, Jon-Edward C. Stokes, Sam Wang (2019 TARGET Alumni)
- A TARGET conversation: Ketandu Chiedu and Lauren Biron | News at work – April 4, 2019
- Fermilab Accelerators Hit The Prairie | Naperville NCTV17 – August 10, 2018
- Fermilab program helps Aurora-area students get back to nature | The Beacon-News – August 8, 2018
- Fermilab and Metea Valley partner to promote STEM to minority students | Chicago Tribune – August 11, 2017
- One minute with Thomas Hein, TARGET Program teaching assistant | News – July 17, 2017
Committee Members
| Sandra Charles | Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer | |
| Anahi Ruiz Beltran | Diversity & Inclusion Specialist | |
| Cortez Watkins | Diversity & Inclusion Specialist | |
| Sai Kancharla | Neutrino Division, Mechanical Engineer | |
| Andres F. Quintero Parra | Computational Science and Artificial Intelligence Directorate, Staff Engineer |