INTERNSHIPS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES: EXPERIENCE FOR CAREERS & GRAD SCHOOL

For the last several years, employers and graduate schools have strongly indicated a preference for applicants who had some practical experience in the field. Internships or practica offer students opportunities and can make majors much more attractive for students, but many institutions find the programs difficult to establish and labor-intensive. UNC Wilmington's Department of Environmental Studies has a highly successful program customized to the student's career goals, with opportunities in government, educational institutions and research programs, the private sector and non-profits, within and without the U.S. We started our internship program over 10 years ago and each year approximately 25-35% of the majors participate with over 90% participation by graduation although it is not a degree requirement. This translates to 60 to 90 individual placements per year. Internships not only provide excellent results not only for the students, but also for the agencies and for the University's image in the community. The program requires the commitment the department with appropriate resources, such as course reductions and summer school salary or stipend. UNCW has found that the methodology to ensure the best experience involves faculty involvement from the outset, rather than an “order by number” approach, which is the only practical way some schools can offer the program. Student incentives include grades, a total of up to 12 credits (6 of which apply to the major), and students can be compensated. Advantages to the agencies include free labor, of course, but also fresh ideas and technical skills (particularly computer skills). Several agencies maintain that they could not accomplish what they do without our interns. We will share the good, the bad and the occasional ugly of a proven program.