Center for Environment & Society | Internships

Internships

Our vision is a Chesapeake Bay and watershed that is healthy and thriving; one in which natural systems and human communities are in balance. Interdisciplinary academic programs promote the integration of environmental issues, social values, and good old river mud.

This video describes one of the many resources that CES has access to. Students are able to engage in hands-on scientific research at the Chester River Field Research Station.

Spring 2013 Bird Banding Internships
Location:

Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory, Chino Farm, MD

Duration:

March 4 – May 2

Application Deadline:

No longer accepting applications for Spring 2013.

Job Description:

Students will engage in a longitudinal migratory bird banding operation at Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory, located at Chino Farms on the Queen Anne’s County side of the Chester River. Duties include recording data, mist-netting, and handling birds. Interns will work outside sometimes in inclement weather. Each internship carries a stipend of up to $800, and requires up to 10 hours per week for an 8 week period. Interns will learn valuable field skills in ecology and gain real world experience with field biology. Hours will be determined at a mutually agreeable time, but applicants should note that the banding station operates Sunday-Thursday from 6:00 am until 1:00 pm. Please see the Foreman’s Branch Bird Observatory web page for more information.

www.washcoll.edu/centers/ces/crfrs

Supervisors: Jim Gruber and Maren Gimpel.

Qualifications:
- applicants should be available starting at dawn and would preferably have a 3-4 hour block of time
- applicants must have their own transportation
- willingness to learn
Spring 2013 Event Planning Internship
Event Planning Internship

Location:

Custom House, Chestertown MD

Duration:

March 4 – May 2

Application Deadline:

No longer accepting applications for Spring 2013.

Job Description:

Intern will participate in a variety of tasks associated with the planning and running of events at CES. This might include, but is not limited to, the Earth Day Festival, the Chesapeake Semester, and Alumni Weekend. Interns will also have the opportunity to get involved in some hands on research involving the Chester River. This internship carries a stipend of up to $800, and requires up to 10 hours per week for an 8 week period.

Supervisor: Rachel Field

Qualifications:
- applicants should be willing to learn and enthusiastic
- a background in environmental studies or ecology is preferred
Summer 2013 Internships
Location:

Chino Farm, Chester River Field Research Station

Duration:

May 15 - July 31

Application Deadline:

Friday, February 22, 2013 by 5 PM

Supervisor:

Dan Small (dsmall2@washcoll.edu).

Job Description:

Students will engage in on going avian demographic studies of grassland birds at Chino Farms on the Queen Anne’s County side of the Chester River. Now in our 15^thseason of field research, CRFRS is dedicated to studying grassland dependent birds, the response of birds and vegetation to habitat management and providing students with opportunities in field work. Duties include handling, identifying, and field study of individually marked birds, nest searching, territory mapping, data entry and other various tasks related to field research. Each internship carries a stipend award of $3,000-$3,500 and requires approximately 35 hours of work per week over a 10 week period. Shared housing (off campus at Chino Farms) is included.

Skills preferred but not required:

Course work in birds and/or ecology and/or environmental studies; bird identification, bird-banding, using binoculars and spotting scopes, reading color bands and recording bird behavior; data collection, data entry. Ability to work outdoors in all kinds of weather, starting work before sunrise, and patience are a must.

Internship positions are a great way for students who are interested in wildlife biology or related careers to gain valuable hands-on field experience. For additional background information, visit www.washcoll.edu/centers/ces/crfrs/.

To Apply please email Rachel Field (rfield2@washcoll.edu) the following information:
- one or two faculty references
- your year of study, major, and GPA
- your dates of availability
- why you are interested in this internship
- how might this internship dovetail with your future career goals
- why you should be selected (see project description)
Wildlife Refuge Intern 2013-14
Location:

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Duration:

August 2013 - August 2014

Supervisors:

Cindy Beemiller and Katherine Thornton

Description:

This internship provides an opportunity for a Washington College student to conduct environmental education programs and develop research projects at Eastern Neck Refuge. Interns would have the opportunity to work closely with both Fish and Wildlife employees and the Friends of Eastern Neck with the common goal of habitat preservation and wildlife management. While at the Refuge interns could expect to participate in any of the following tasks (depending on the interest of the particular intern): assist with planning and set up of refuge annual open house, programming for school groups, President’s Day bird walk, waterfowl banding, participating in Waterfowl Surveys, planning the volunteer awards dinner, kayak programs, cultivating the Bayscape garden, work with youth conservation corp group, apply for grants, update social media outlets, and organize cleanup days on the Refuge. This position is designed to be 10 hours a week for 15 weeks in the fall and spring semesters and 30 hours a week for 15 weeks in the summer. This internship comes with a total stipend of $6,500. Housing on the Refuge will be provided during the summer months.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have their own transportation to and from the Refuge. A strong applicant will have a willingness to learn and demonstrate an ability to work well independently and as a part of a team. Applicants must be able to lift 50 pounds and work out doors in all types of weather. Preference will be given to those students in their sophomore or junior years of study.

To Apply:

E-mail Rachel Field rfield2@washcoll.edu the following information:
- your year of study
- your availability, including class schedule (if known)
- a copy of your resume
- a cover letter describing why you should be selected for this internship, why you are interested in this particular internship, and what your career/future goals are and how this internship will help you to achieve those goals
Questions? E-mail Rachel Field for more information. Applications are due by the close of business on Friday, May 17th.

CES Internship Opportunities

The Center for Environment & Society seeks to create meaningful internship experiences for Washington College undergraduates. In the past, CES has offered internships for students interested in campus sustainability, climate action, coastal ecosystems, conservation, ecology, archaeology, and urban greening.

External Internship Opportunities

CES strives to collaborate with other organizations to provide a wide range of internships across a wide range of disciplines. In the past CES has collaborated with Echo Hill Outdoor School, Horn Point Laboratories, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Sassafras River Association, Sultana Projects, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, National Aquarium, and Council Fire.

Student Stories

Still deciding whether or not to apply for an internship? Read testimonials from past CES Interns, and find out what their undergraduate internships enabled them to do with their careers.