Internships are on-the-job training programs for students and recent graduates. Some internships are paid; others are not. For more about federal rules that govern whether interns must be paid, click here. These short-term positions help you learn more about the fields you’re interested in and make professional connections that can advance your career.
One of the best ways to find internships is directly through your college or university’s career development center or through your academic department. These offices often have ongoing relationships with businesses and organizations in your field and can provide other helpful resources.
Checking the websites of organizations and/or businesses you’re interested in is another good way to find out about internship possibilities and application procedures. So is calling an organization’s internship coordinator or human resources department.
A handful of websites list internships at green businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations across the country as well as internationally. One of the most helpful website belongs to the National Council for Science and the Environment. It lists opportunities at environmental non-profits and government agencies.
Want a position in environmental sciences specifically? Try the Smithsonian Environmental Resource Center, affiliated with the federal government’s Smithsonian Institution.
Other national resources include the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s internship website; the website of the Student Conservation Association; Idealist.org, which lists internships and jobs at non-profits; and, InternMatch.com and Internships.com—two websites that can help students find internships in a wide range of categories.
Internships based in the New York City area abound. For internships at green businesses check out Green Dream Jobs and Cleantech NY Connect. Also, below are just some of the websites of New York City-based government agencies and environmental non-profits that can help you find an internship tailored to your interests.
CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities
Natural Resources Defense Council
New York City Brownfields Partnership
NYC Department of Environmental Protection
NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
By the way, some internships are paid; others are not. (For more about federal rules that govern whether interns must be paid, click here.)