Environmental Science Internship

Internship Description:

      The CU Environmental Studies (CUES) Internship Experience is a competitive opportunity offered to CU Biology majors interested in professional careers including but not limited to the fields of environmental studies, ecology, natural resource management, or wildlife/conservation biology.  The internship is intended to provide the recipient with hands-on learning opportunities in the environmental study area as a complement to the student’s academic experience.   Working alongside professional biologists, ecologists and natural resource professionals from the region, the intern will be exposed to multiple real-world experiences in the field of environmental studies. 

Internship Partners: 

      Partners in the internship experience will represent a wide range of professions within the environmental studies area including state, federal and non-profit agencies and organizations from the local area or region.  Partners may include Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Mammoth Cave National Park, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, The Nature Conservation and others. 

Internship Particulars: 

Time Period:  The internship will typically cover a 6-8 week period in the months of May-July.  The period may be adjusted depending on the schedule of the intern, number of interns, funding and/or partner schedules.  The intern may rotate between the partners during this period.   

Stipend:  A stipend not to exceed $200 per week will be provided to assist in covering basic living expenses during the internship period.   

Intern Expectations:  Interns are expected to exhibit exemplary professional behavior including, but not limited to, punctuality, job performance, and work ethic.  Although internships are designed for the individual experience, interns should be aware that their performance reflects directly on Campbellsville University and Natural Science Division faculty and students, including future interns.  The internship is to be considered an honor, an opportunity not to be wasted.   

Intern requirements:  All interns will be expected to keep a diary of their experience, provide a written summary and oral presentation to the Natural Science Division or Biology Department faculty and students during the semester following the internship experience.  Interns may also be required to complete at least one environmental stewardship project during the experience.

Internship eligibility:    Criteria for determining eligibility include the following: 

     1.  Biology major with satisfactory progress towards degree and in good academic standing. 

     2.  GPA of 3.0 or higher in the major. 

     3.  A desire for employment or academic advancement in the fields of environmental science, ecology, natural resource management,

          wildlife/conservation biology, etc. 

     4.  Although current students in their junior year will be given priority the overall quality of the internship candidate will ultimately 

          determine the selection. 

Contact:  Interested students should contact Dr. Richard Kessler, Environmental Studies Program Coordinator, to schedule an interview.  Copies of the application form may also be obtained from Dr. Kessler, SB 210, ext. 5326, rkkessler@campbellsville.edu