Internships - Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences

"[In the summer of 2023,] I had the opportunity to work with Huron Pines, a non-profit organization that focuses on invasive plant control and native habitat restoration. As a restoration technician, I spent every day out in the field actively treating invasive plants using herbicides and mechanical methods of removal along with surveying for threatened and endangered native plants. Over the course of the summer we worked with other organizations including the DNR and Fish and Wildlife Services to maintain the health of local ecosystems. This internship provided me with valuable field skills and allowed me to better understand how different organizations come together to coordinate and implement restoration efforts."

"I felt a great sense of accomplishment knowing my work could assist studies on the unique geology of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I am excited to carry this experience with me through the rest of my studies and into my future endeavors."

"I served on the Ottawa Trails Crew for the Great Lakes Climate Corps. One valuable aspect of the internship was working alongside the U.S. Forest Service every week. I learned a great deal about trails, tools, and the National Forest, but I learned most from my crew members. Spending the summer with the GLCC gave me a great appreciation for how deeply connected everything is in the forest, and how there is a gravitating oneness to all living things."

"[In the summer of 2024], I had the incredible opportunity to work at Pullman National Historical Park in Chicago, Illinois as a park guide. I created and led 45-minute tours, worked off- and on-site events, and taught people of all ages about the park's history. This role helped dramatically improve my public speaking skills and confidence when communicating with others. This position opened my eyes to all the different opportunities within the National Park Service and the federal government and has helped facilitate lifelong connections with people in these fields. I know the valuable skills I gained through this position will help me with my future career. "

"I had the incredible opportunity to work as a Wildlife Biology Technician for a summer at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon. In this role, I gained invaluable field skills through working with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and participating in plover surveys, fish population monitoring, water quality sampling, and sandhill crane banding. With the Friends of Malheur NWR program, I worked outreach events such as Science for Kids programs at the local library, giving me the chance to connect with the public and partake in environmental education. This position greatly increased my confidence in applying my classroom knowledge to real-world research and made me even more excited about my chosen field!"

“I got to meet and talk with a variety of people at NASA Langley—employees and fellow interns—and all were enthusiastic to geek out with us….My mentors were easy to talk to, made sure I understood what my tasks were, and were available whenever I needed them. The other interns inspired me and we discussed our different assignments. It gave me more self-confidence and assured me that I want to become a scientist.”

"[During the summer of 2024,] I interned with the National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I worked on the Piping Plover and Outreach Crew. I conducted field work daily to monitor the critically endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover on beaches throughout the park mainland as well as North and South Manitou Islands. This involved detailed data collection as well as interacting with the public. I was also involved with public outreach and led events to inform and get the visitors excited about plovers and the park. Through this incredible opportunity, I was able to be a part of this conservation effort and learn many skills I will take with me for the rest of my life."

"Since May of 2022, I have worked as a Pathways Student Trainee (intern) for the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in their Environmental Science and Engineering Division. While Volpe is located in Cambridge, MA, I worked remotely due to longstanding COVID policies. During my internship, I supported three different federal projects - the National Parks Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) program, the Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) infrastructure compliance program, and the FHWA NEPA Assignment program for the state of Ohio. I worked alongside Environmental Protection Specialists, Engineers, and Community Planners to complete a variety of NEPA compliance and GIS tasks. Some of my duties included generating 508-compliant alternative text, working with a team to code 5,000+ public comments on the draft ATMPs and Environmental Assessments (EAs), creating the ATMP Administrative Record, managing databases, and creating maps for fuel storage tank fieldwork. My internship with Volpe has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences thus far in my career. Not only has it cemented my passion for public service, but it’s also opened my eyes to a variety of transportation-related projects. Everyone at Volpe (and DOT), from junior-level staff to senior- and cabinet-level leadership made sure that the interns were treated as valued members of the team. I would encourage anyone looking to gain experience in the federal government to apply to the Pathways program. General information about the program can be found here, and folks interested in Volpe can learn more here."

"[In Summer 2022,] I was a member of a Great Lakes Climate Corps (GLCC) trail building crew, and [in Summer 2023] I'm in a crew leader position."

"I worked with the Alger Conservation District as an intern. I removed spotted knapweed and baby's breath from Coast Guard Point on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in an effort to restore habitat of the endangered piping plover and pitcher's thistle. I also cut down trees along the shore and placed bundles of branches in the Au Train Lake to create a better habitat for fish to lay their eggs. This will help increase fish populations in an overfished lake. I also got to conduct outreach work. I created graphics and scheduled postings for the Conservation District's Instagram and Facebook pages, and I held outreach events at the Munising Farmers Market. This was a great opportunity for me, and I have a deeper appreciation for the Marquette and greater Upper Peninsula community."

"I was lucky enough to spend my 2022 summer as an intern at NASA Langley Research Center. Driving up to the gates for the first time felt surreal. It felt like I didn't belong and like there was no way I was smart enough to be there. As I spent more time working and getting to know people, there was a sense of community and belonging that I could never have imagined. By the time those 10 weeks had passed, leaving the gates for the last time felt a lot like leaving home. It has now been three months since my internship ended, and I am still sad that it is over.”

“My internship experience at NASA was perhaps the best thing that I have ever done. The opportunity has opened so many doors and I gained lifelong connections with my mentors and other interns. The skills that I learned are some that I will carry with me throughout my professional career. I also learned so much about myself and what I want to do in the future. I got to work hands-on with instrumentation and data and I loved every second of it. I will never forget the people who helped me get there and those who made it such an amazing experience."

"[In the summer of 2024], I served on the Stream Inventory Drone Team for the Great Lakes Climate Corps (hosted by the Superior Watershed Partnership). I worked in partnership with Trout Unlimited to complete Road Stream Crossing Inventories (as a part of the Great Lakes Stream Crossing Inventory project), as well as electrofishing to monitor fish populations and operating drones to capture aerial imagery of crossings. I got to work in eight Upper Peninsula counties, as well as in both the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forests. This opportunity opened my eyes to a whole new field of natural resource science and has heavily influenced my direction for post graduation!"

"Through my internship with Brown County, WI, I worked collaboratively with a skilled team. I was tasked with projects ranging from georeferencing aerial images to regulatory mapping and data analysis using industry-leading GIS software and technologies. These project assignments not only gave me valuable insights into real-world GIS applications within the public sector, but it also allowed me to make a tangible impact on Brown County's GIS initiatives. Each project presented unique challenges and opportunities, contributing to my growth and proficiency in GIS. The experiences I gained during my internship have undoubtedly contributed to my development as a GIS professional and will benefit my future endeavors in this rewarding field."

"I interned for three months in Copenhagen, Denmark, at BLOXHUB, a coworking and event coordinating space that aims to bring research and industry closer together under the umbrella of sustainable urbanization and the built environment. I worked closely with the Science Program, which organizes talks and PhD networks, and Urban Partnerships, who hosts international delegations and BLOXHUB and makes connections with organizations globally. I attended multiple conferences including the UIA World Congress of Architecture and the BMW Re*Leadership Festival.”

"I not only gained knowledge through [interning with the Great Lakes Climate Corps], but I also gained several Forest Service certifications that I can apply to future jobs with the Forest Service. This experience gave me a better idea of what kind of jobs the Forest Service offers and what I want to pursue. I am grateful for the knowledge and technical skills that I have acquired throughout this experience. I have had the privilege to learn from some amazing people this summer."