Environmental Internships

The following is a list of potential internship sites for Environmental Studies students and others.  Many of these organizations regularly have Chatham interns.  For more information about setting up a Chatham internship, contact the Office of Career Services.

Pittsburgh-Area Internships

Rachel Carson Homestead

The Rachel Carson Homestead is the birthplace and childhood home of ecologist Rachel Carson, whose 1962 book Silent Spring launched the modern environmental movement. The small structure that would become the Carson family homestead was constructed in approximately 1870, and definitely before 1892. It was one of the earlier buildings in the small Allegheny River town of Springdale, approximately 14 miles upstream from Pittsburgh. The Homestead is always looking for volunteers groups and individuals who can help out with projects and activities, including education programs, our bookstore and gift shop, office work, yard and trail work, and special events.  Chatham students have often worked at the Homestead.

For more information write to: rcarson@salsgiver.com     

Audubon Society of Western Pa.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is a nonprofit conservation and environmental education organization. Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is the headquarters of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. ASWP manages and operates the five miles of trails and 134 acres of sanctuary at Beechwood Farms. Beechwood Farms is seeking enthusiastic, energetic individuals with a love for the outdoors who can assist us in fulfilling our mission to educate and inspire the people of southwestern Pennsylvania to become respectful and responsible stewards of the natural world.  

For more information write to: aswp@aswp.org             

Western PA. Conservancy

As we begin the 21st century, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is vigorously implementing a conservation strategy that links water, land and life.  We buy lands for conservation while we work with communities to promote long-term livability. We care about the conservation of threatened, wild resources and we are deeply concerned with the proper maintenance of the human-built communities. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy believes in balancing human needs with the protection of the natural world. Our programs are designed to save the places we care about in our towns and cities as well as our country-sides.

Conservation Consultants Inc. (CCI)

CCI is a regional non-profit organization headquartered at the CCI center in the South Side of Pittsburgh. CCI promotes responsible energy use in homes and other buildings.  Several Chatham students have had positive internship experiences with CCI.

For more information contact Indigo Raffel at indigor@ccicenter.org

Earth Force

Earth Force's goal is to develop a generation of young environmental stewards through hands-on environmental service projects. With the use of knowledge and skills, young people will create long-lasting solutions to problems that they care about.  Chatham students are working with Earth Force's new Pittsburgh office on a variety of environmental education projects, and they are anxious to work with more students.  

For more information contact: phone: (412)321-5434  LEApgh@earthforce.org         

Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP)

GASP is an environmental organization, based in Western PA., which focuses on air pollution and ways to improve environmental quality in the area. The intern will receive the chance to work with groups such as the DEP and the Air Quality Bureau in addition to the public.  Several Chatham students have had successful internship experiences with GASP.

For more information contact:

phone: (412)-352-7382      gasp@gasp-pgh.org  

PennFuture

PennFuture works to create a just future where nature, community and economy thrive. Their duty is to enforce environmental laws and advance in effective solutions for solving environmental problems.  PennFuture is very active in energy campaigns in Pittsburgh and throughout the state.   

 For more information about internships, contact: Jeanne Clark, Director of Communications at  energyflak@aol.com  

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium offer a unique and exciting opportunity for students (18 years and older) to experience and explore the inner workings of a modern zoological park. A variety of disciplines are available for any field of study.

For more information write to: Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium Intern Program, One Wild Place Pittsburgh, Pa. 15206-1178          

National Internships Sites and Listings

Defenders of Wildlife

The Defenders of Wildlife is a group stationed in Washington D.C. who focus their work around protecting fragile habitats and doing work based on the Endangered Species Act. The applicant must have an undergraduate degree and willing to have a three month commitment to the project.                            

The Ecological Society of America

The Education Department of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), North America's leading professional society of ecologists, offers two internships: General Education Intern and SEEDS Program Intern.

Student Conservation Association 

The SCA offers internships anywhere in the United States, anytime of year, and in a variety of fields. For a complete list check out the website or catalogue. Interns receive expense paid positions in addition to money for school! SCA offers the opportunity to help preserve and serve America's outdoors.

For more information write to: SCA Conservation Internships, P.O. Box 550, Charlestown, NH. 03603   e-mail - internships@thesca.org   

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

The National Wildlife Federation is accepting applications from undergraduate juniors or seniors, or recent graduates, to intern side by side with knowledgeable professionals. Students will receive experience through many aspects of the NWF's conservation mission.

Environmental Careers Organization (ECO)

ECO offers paid internships for any environmental students interested in receiving real world experience in their field. Applications are accepted all year.

For more information write to: info@eco.org       

Green Corps

Green Corps is an Environmental Leadership Training Program looking for interns to assist with leadership roles in the environment.

CLEARCorps

The mission of CLEARCorps is to engage the power of national service to protect the communities most vulnerable children from lead poisoning. The organization is looking for interns to help promote and carry out this mission.

For more information write to: info@clearcorps.org  

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

The DEP is a state agency that primarily is responsible for administering Pennsylvania's environmental laws and regulations. Their responsibilities range from protecting our streams and rivers to making sure waste is handled properly. Internships are available in many fields.

National Science Foundation

NSF offers a variety of internships located in all parts of the country and provide wonderful experience in many different fields.

The National Park Service

The National park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Internships are available, but are administered at the park level or in various NPS centers and offices.

Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC)

By communicating with other youth led environmental/social justice groups in the region, the SEAC hopes to help reach out to people and keep them updated about environmental issues in their community and country.                                                                         

For more information about both positions write to: ncc@seac.org     phone: (215)222-4711

Ecojobs

Check out this website for more internship opportunities: www.ecojobs.com/internships.htm

EnviroEducation.com

Check out this site for more internship listings in the field of Environmental Education!

Ecological and Environmental Internship/Job Opportunities sponsored by Shippensburg University

This site has links to various web sites that list job and internship opportunities. It includes links to Pennsylvania state agencies, federal agencies, scientific societies, non-profit organizations, and university career sites. Some of these sites also list graduate education opportunities.