Internships

Two students working in a garden

What is an internship?

An internship is any carefully monitored work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what they are learning throughout the experience.

What are some of the goals of an internship?

  • Academic Learning - apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the workplace 
  • Career Development - gain knowledge of qualifications and duties of a position and explore interests
  • Skill Development - gain an understanding of the skills and knowledge required in the workplace
  • Personal Development - gain decision making skills, critical thinking skills, increase confidence 

There is no fixed minimum of work-hours for an internship. For students enrolled in an Environmental Studies Internship course (EVRN 490 or 491), a general rule is  40-50 total hours for each credit hour. (For example, enrolling in 3 credits would entail 120-150 hours of work, corresponding to 8-10 hours/week over a 15 week semester). There’s no maximum: You can work more hours per credit than the guidelines. (If you are thinking of working more than 20 hours/week you should discuss your plans with the Internship Coordinator first.)

How can I find an internship?

There are many organizations seeking Environmental Studies students to serve as interns. Check the links on this page for general ideas and advice on how to search. Updated listings are available in the jobs and internships section of our newsletter, linked below. Students can also contact the Internship Coordinator for the latest information at mjakub@ku.edu

Internship Courses and Scholarship Support

If you are an Environmental Studies student and would like to earn academic credit for your internship experience, you can enroll in the Environmental Studies Internship course, EVRN 490. Contact the Internship Coordinator evrninternships@ku.edu for more information and enrollment permission. EVRN 490 is open to Sophomores and above, and may be taken for 1-4 credits. Beginning in Fall 2023, a Capstone Internship course (EVRN 491) will be available to meet KU Core Goal 6. Contact the Internship Coordinator for more information.

Environmental Studies undergraduates who are participating in an unpaid internship may be eligible for scholarships to help support their work.

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