Environmental Studies Internships

The Importance of Professional Internships

Each ES program is structured to ensure that graduates will be capable professionals prepared to meet environmental challenges in their communities and in the world at large. The internship provides an important way for Antioch students to learn the skills they need as they enter the professional world. As a graduate school, Antioch is comprised of a student body of adult learners seeking professional degrees. These mature individuals bring a wealth of life experiences, important communication skills, and a dedication to environmental issues, making them valuable interns and assets to the sites they serve.

Why is an internship important?

It’s an opportunity to take charge of your learning
It provides an opportunity to apply academic skills and technical knowledge in contexts where you can have an impact on society and nature.
It provides an avenue to receive academic credit and gain valuable practical experience.
It affords you the chance to develop a record of accomplishments (and obtain a recommendation) that increases your marketability to receive consideration as a future hire or advancement in your current position.

Real World Applications

From an educational point of view, an internship offers you an opportunity to put your knowledge into action by integrating classroom theory into practice. The very act of doing, whether it is teaching a class on tree identification, developing content for a social media page, compiling a natural resource inventory, or determining the impact of stormwater run-off – all lead you to figure out what works and what doesn't in a real-world environment. From Antioch's perspective, students return from internships better able to apply what they have learned and to share those experiences with each other. Antioch gets a wiser student; the organization gets an intern with a sound knowledge base; you get an apprenticeship for life.

Another consideration, or viewing the internship experience, is looking at it as an opportunity to test your field of interest. It is a way to experiment and find out whether or not this is something you would like to do professionally. Of course, it's also a way to gain experience and develop a professional network of contacts -two things that are critically important as you develop your career.

Environmental Studies students are required to earn three internship credits (one internship) in order to graduate. Students register for a 3-credit internship (Course # ES 6960) after completing two semesters of coursework developing content and skill sets. A minimum of 225 hours of work is required during a 3-credit internship. The course has assignments associated with it, which are outlined in the course syllabus. The assignments are designed to assist you in reflecting upon your experience, gaining insight into the skills learned, and solving any problems that arise.

Students in the program also have the option to take a second internship in lieu of a Capstone, particularly if they will benefit from an additional opportunity to network and develop on-the-job skill sets. An additional 225 hours of work is required during this capstone internship. The decision to utilize a second internship as a capstone option should be discussed with and approved by your academic advisor. (Students who gain approval for an internship Capstone should sign up for course # ES 6965.) In either case, students may work for environmental and educational organizations, governmental agencies, advocacy groups, non-profits, and businesses. Positions can be paid hourly, paid as a stipend or salary, fall under work study, or be a volunteer position.

Please use the link below to connect with the AUNE ES Dept. Employment/Internship Resource Pages. By navigating the tabs at the bottom of this resource page, you can view the following databases:

List of 250 job boards, sorted by area of interest!

Look for full-time, part-time, internship, and seasonal work! Posted by professional associations, government agencies, public companies, non-profits, and private organizations!

List of upcoming workshops!

The ES Department Office of Internships and Career Support and the AU Writing Center invite you to attend a series of workshops during 2023-24 to assist you in getting ready for internships, employment, or career advancement. Offered each semester, the workshops are designed to assist you with resume/CV development/refinement, writing cover letters that stand out, selecting references, and interpreting job descriptions.

Schedule of Upcoming Conferences, Workshops, and Trade Shows

Find out about conferences, professional development, and other important events significant to the environmental studies field being offered all over the country and the world, both face-to-face and virtually!

Manuals, forms, and checklists associated with internships!

Need a form? Want some help? Use these resources to assist with internship hunting and the application process!

Full-time and part-time employment opportunities!

Check out the postings that have been submitted to the department – looking specifically for

Antioch students and grads!

Internship, fellowship, and seasonal employment listings!

Explore this list to see more internships available locally and around the region!

Antioch University Employment Board!

Check out employment opportunities found on any of the five Antioch campuses, as well as postings for grant and research projects sponsored by faculty.

AUNE Work Study Job Postings!

See what is available for work-study positions!

Database of previous ES student internship sites!

Scan these internship sites where ES students have been placed in the past ten years! Sortable by location and organization! See what’s in your area!