The end of first semester is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about employment or internship opportunities for the summer. Wouldn’t it be great to gain valuable experience in the field while making some money or earning college credit?
Well, for those in the sciences and education, working for the Department of Natural Resources might be a great way to go. Not only can interning or working for the Department of Natural Resources be an opportunity make some extra money in the summer and learn more about one's major field of study, it’s also a great way to make valuable connections that may be useful after graduation.
Department of Natural Resources Internships
Each year, the Department of Natural Resources advertises both paid and unpaid jobs and internships for college students in the following fields (among others): Accounting, Archeology, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Science, Conservation Law, Civil/Environmental/Geological Engineering, Economics/Finance, Education, Environmental Law, GIS/Geology, Historic Preservation, Natural History, Natural Resource Management, Natural Sciences, Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Outdoor Recreation/Education, Wildlife Conservation and Zoology.
Internships that are not paid are still an attractive option, since one can typically earn college credit. Each state’s Department of Natural Resources offers opportunities in a variety of professional or technical fields. To be eligible for most of these internships, a student must be registered at a college or university in the state of employment.
Opportunities for College Students
- The Water and Land Resources Division offers watercraft inspection internships, which involve conducting inspections at public water access sites on lakes and rivers to stop the spread of invasive species and educating the general public about the environmental dangers of aquatic invasive species.
- The Water and Land Resources Division often hires student interns to assist with their monitoring programs, which involves inventorying and monitoring the activity or growth of a certain species.
- The Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology hires interns to help organize workshops and conferences, conduct research, and assist with fieldwork.
- The Division of Fisheries offers internships to college students during which they can gain practical field experience by working under the supervision of IDNR fisheries biologists or urban fishing coordinators.
- The Division of Forest Resources offers internships for students interested in taking street tree inventories and collecting data regarding private woodland owners.
- The Division of Grant Administration offers summer internships to seniors or graduate students who will have the opportunity to work with local government and park districts seeking state grant assistance for the development of outdoor recreation areas.
- The DNR’s Office of Law Enforcement takes on undergraduate students for eight-week internships during the spring, summer and fall semesters. These internships give students pursuing law enforcement or criminal justice careers the practical experience they will need to be competitive in the job market after they graduate.
- Department of Natural Resources' Division of Natural Heritage offers residencies to graduate students who will be given the opportunity to conduct biological inventories, monitor endangered species and manage natural areas
These are just some of the many jobs and internships available with the Department of Natural Resources. Opportunities vary by state and are, of course, contingent on national and state funding. In short, it’s best to begin a search and apply earlier rather than later. For more information on these rewarding opportunities, visit the Department of Natural Resources website.
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