scroll down for experiences in
conservation, agriculture, business, and outdoor education
conservation
work
scientists in the park
Every year, the Scientists in Parks (SIP) Program places hundreds of college students, recent graduates, and early career professionals across the National Park System to work on natural resource management needs. Each opportunity with the SIP Program affords a distinct and memorable experience with projects that vary based on location, length, focus, and complexity. Past projects include mapping sand dunes at Fire Island National Seashore, surveying towering cacti at Saguaro National Park, and protecting nesting sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore. Must be U.S. Citizen or legal resident.
PAID
U.S. CITIZENS OR PERM. RESIDENT
HOUSING MAY BE PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
AMERICAN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
ACE’s Conservation Crew program is for American participants, aged 18-35 who are considering land management as a career path or potential course of study. Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation. Members are supported during their 3-6 month service terms with a cost of living allowance, transportation and food on projects, and free common housing on off days in most locations. Participants are also able to earn Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards commensurate with their chosen term of service. Education awards can be used post-term for expenses such as tuition, student loans or fees, and a breadth of study or certification courses, including many offered by NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School).
PAID
U.S. CITIZENS OR PERM. RESIDENT
HOUSING PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
DORIS DUKE CONSERVATION SCHOLARS
The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars are a diverse, committed and creative community of young professionals from around the country who aim to change the face, practice and future of conservation. An amazing 2 year program. Open to all students, but focuses on moving away from a white-washed form of conservation. Open to first years and sophomores.
PAID
OPEN TO ALL
HOUSING AND TRANS. PROVIDED
BASED ON WEST COAST
Latino heritage internship program
The Latino Heritage Internship Program (LHIP), created by the National Park Service (NPS) and administered in partnership with Environment for the Americas, is designed to provide internship opportunities to young adults in diverse professional fields in the National Park Service. The program helps raise awareness of our national parks and historic sites, their accessibility, and the need for the Latino community’s involvement in their preservation. For this purpose, highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students will be selected to work alongside NPS historians, interpreters, archaeologists, architects, and curators on cultural resources projects in different national parks, offices, and historical sites throughout the nation. Students will have substantive assignments in their areas of study, work closely with NPS staff day-to-day, and receive additional mentoring and support through the program partners. LHIP, working in collaboration with conservation partners like Environment for the Americas, allows the NPS to invest in cost-efficient strategies geared toward recruiting and developing entry-level talent to potentially to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
PAID
U.S. CITIZENS OR PERM. RESIDENT
HOUSING PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
environment for the americas
​
Environment for the Americas (EFTA) was created as a result of its hemispheric celebration of birds, World Migratory Bird Day . EFTA has experience working across the Western Hemisphere with diverse communities and brings its expertise to internship programs that engage youth in hands-on experiences at national parks, wildlife refuges, protected areas, and national forests across the United States. Our staff have the cultural and linguistic backgrounds and provide training, mentorship, and assistance finding jobs in the field of natural resources. Mosaics in Science is one of three programs that we coordinate, along with Celebrate Birds/Celebra las Aves and the Latino Heritage Internship Program. Each year, EFTA recruits over 50 participants who work in some of America’s most spectacular natural areas.
PAID
U.S. CITIZENS OR PERM. RESIDENT
HOUSING PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
Mosaics in science
The Mosaics in Science Internship Program is coordinated by the National Park Service and Environment for the Americas. Together, we work to provide unique experiences for diverse youth to work side-by-side with scientists, researchers, and educators.
PAID
U.S. CITIZENS OR PERM. RESIDENT
HOUSING PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADS
NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location.
PAID
U.S. CITIZENS OR PERM. RESIDENT
HOUSING PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
agriculture
Wwoof
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a worldwide movement to link visitors with organic farmers, promote a cultural and educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming and sustainability practices.
UNPAID
OPEN TO ALL
ROOM AND BOARD PROVIDED
INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS
wolfe's neck center​
We are a one-of-a-kind place on the coast of Maine that connects farmers, eaters, and learners to the land and animals at the core of our food systems. A sustainable coastal farm for nearly sixty years, Wolfe’s Neck Center is home to an oceanfront campground, leading demonstration farm, and educational resource center for innovative practices in regenerative agriculture.
UN/PAID
HOUSING PROVIDED
COAST OF MAINE
farmlink
montana
Work Link is a listing service for farmers and ranchers seeking workers. It serves to connect people who want to learn how to farm or ranch with experienced producers willing to share their expertise. A typical arrangement involves the exchange of labor for room, board, a stipend, hands-on experience, intensive training and skill development.
UN/PAID
HOUSING PROVIDED
MONTANA
Business
ceres
At Ceres, we work to advance sustainability leadership among investors, companies and capital market influencers to drive solutions and take stronger action on the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including the climate crisis, water scarcity and pollution, and inequitable workplaces. Multiple Bates alum have worked here, Purposeful Work offers job shadows.
PAID
SAN FRANCISCO / BOSTON
terracycle
TerraCycle is Eliminating the Idea of Waste® by recycling the "non-recyclable." Whether it's coffee capsules from your home, pens from a school, or plastic gloves from a manufacturing facility, TerraCycle can collect and recycle almost any form of waste. We partner with individual collectors such as yourself, as well as major consumer product companies, retailers, manufacturers, municipalities, and small businesses across 20 different countries. While TerraCycle internships are unpaid, they offer many educational components. Our interns are largely comprised of independent students, though graduate students often join us for a summer. The environment is dynamic and highly energized. A benefit of TerraCycle's eco-focus is that some schools provide a stipend or course credit for their students to work at TerraCycle. Please check with your school if they can provide support.
UNPAID
ONTARIO, CANADA
GREENPEACE, NGO
Our mission: Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Protect the Earth while learning valuable skills as a Greenpeace Intern. Positions are available in many of our departments including, photography, communications, climate and energy and everything in between. Internships in various parts of organization.
REQUIRES FUNDING FROM COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
WASHINGTON, DC
outdoor
Education
outdoor bound
Outward Bound’s mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery. While perhaps ambitious and bold, our vision is a more resilient and compassionate world, with more resilient and compassionate citizens. Internships vary from one Outward Bound School to another, based on location and programmatic needs. The time of year that internships are offered varies from school to school as well. Interns may be offered support or instructional work after the internship. All staff and interns working for Outward Bound must be of 21 years of age or older. Preference will be given to applicants with wilderness medical training. Schools will often provide some or all of the following: on site accommodations, weekly stipend, gear discounts and individual mentoring. Additional training and skills development days will occur intermittently to support individual development
PAID
OPEN TO ALL
ROOM AND BOARD PROVIDED
NATIONAL LOCATIONS
nols
NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help you step forward boldly as a leader. We believe that anyone can be a leader; it’s our role to provide the environment and training to help you discover your full potential. We do that in classrooms close to home and in remote wilderness areas around the world. We’re an organization with heart, expertise, and wildness, and these qualities help us support powerful, authentic experiences. We’re an organization with heart, expertise, and wildness, and these qualities help us support powerful, authentic experiences.
PAID
OPEN TO ALL
ROOM AND BOARD PROVIDED
INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS
BATES FUNDING
​​Bates offers many opportunities for you to make the most of your summer, from challenging research experiences and life-changing community engagement projects to exciting internships and international travel fellowships. Bates offers grants, fellowships and internships designed to enrich your academic program with real-world experience. Click on the program links below to connect to our Bates-specific funded opportunities. In addition, check Handshake for hundreds more summer employment and internship listings. Specifically the Otis Fellowship is for environmentally related opportunities.