Update: these specific positions have been filled, but we have many more internship openings available in biology, ecology, energy and water conservation [1], and many more!
From training sled dogs in Denali to taking moonlit walks on the beach with baby sea turtles, these are our Top Ten Awesome Internships of 2012. So spend a minute or two day dreaming – and then send in your application, ‘cause these positions won’t stay open for long…
10. As a Desert Tortoise Ecology Research Intern, you will work on research projects investigating desert tortoise ecology, physiology, and disease dynamics with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey. You’ll be completing field work in the unique ecosystem of the Mojave Desert. Need more adventure in your life? You’ll also have training opportunities in venomous snake identification and desert survival skills.
9. Spend the summer on beautiful Fire Island National Seashore, a 32-mile-long barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, New York. The Wildlife Management Intern on Fire Island will protect the endangered shorebirds that nest on the island’s beaches. With many aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals that rely on the island as their habitat, you’ll be safeguarding an important ecosystem and educating the public about the endangered species on their local beaches.
8. The Sled Dog Kennels Intern at Denali National Park will assist in the care of 30 Alaskan Husky sled dogs, including feeding, cleaning, grooming, and training adults and puppies and monitoring their general health. Want to gain marketable skills while you’re playing with puppies in Alaska? You will also present sled dog demonstrations, educate visitors about the history of dogs in the park and what it means to be a sled dog, collect National Weather Service data, and maintain equipment and grounds.
Photo credit: NPS Denali National Park. http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/kennels-gallery.htm [2]
7. Wanted: Adventurous teacher who values new cultural experiences to teach environmental education programs to Inupiaq Eskimo Children in Western Arctic National Parklands, Alaska. As an Environmental Education Intern, you will create craft and story programs for Junior Ranger classes about the natural and cultural history of the park. Yearning for your days as a camp counselor? You’ll also participate in a camp for native children in remote areas.
6. Grab a cup of coffee and your favorite abacus and apply to be an Amphibian Monitor Intern at Cape Cod National Seashore. You will monitor amphibians through egg mass counts and night-time call counts in various habitats throughout the park. You will also gain experience in a variety of resource management activities, like natural resource inventories and monitoring, providing field support to scientists, and assisting with the trials and implementation of new monitoring protocols.
5. Are you a Civil War buff with a talent for graphic design? As a Media Intern at Manassas National Bicentennial Park you will work on projects related to the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. Get ready to sharpen your skills in social media, online communications, writing, graphic design, research and photography as you help the National Park Service educate the general public about the history of the Civil War. You’ll have access to primary historical resources to help you on your quest, and you’ll get to participate in special events too.
4. Do you live in the Virgin Islands? And are you interested in working with sea turtles? Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is looking for some local conservationists to work as Outreach/Education and Biological Interns. You will work on nighttime sea turtle monitoring, and nighttime youth and community education programs to learn about nesting sea turtles. You might also conduct hourly foot patrols of the 4.6 km refuge beach area and learn about nest management.
Don’t live in the Virgin Islands? We don’t either. But you can search for local internship [3]s near you and make a difference in your community this year!
3. A love of food and sustainability is a must for the ARAMARK Sustainability Education and Awareness Intern at Johns Hopkins University. You will work with campus dining to develop eco-friendly dining solutions and promote more sustainable food choices. You’ll get on-the-job training as well as a training and orientation at ARAMARK headquarters.
2. Another ARAMARK internship that you’ll love is the Energy and Water Conservation Internshipat University of Philadelphia’s Steinberg Conference Center. You’ll research and analyze the impact of current energy and water conservation programs while engaging and educating the campus community to conserve resources. You’ll get real-world experience working in the corporate world and learning to integrate environmental sustainability into business operations.
1. Always wanted to live in Yosemite National Park? Considering a career with the National Park Service? You could be the Little Yosemite Valley Backcountry Ranger Intern. You’ll assist Rangers with day to day operations in Little Yosemite Valley. You’ll be on the ground working to prevent Search and Rescue incidents through visitor education, protecting the public, and protecting park resources. If you’re ready to spend your days hiking, responding to emergency incidents, and monitoring wildlife, you’ve come to the right place.
Feeling inspired? You can find even more awesome internships on SCA’s website [4]. We’re adding new positions every day, so check back often!