Internships
An internship is a limited period of work experience offered by an organization. They are typically undertaken by students and graduates looking to gain relevant skills and experience in a particular field. Therefore internships can be a great way to learn more about working in the Earth and environmental sciences.
Why consider an internship?
- Real-life experience and exposure
- Try out a career/research
- Build your network and acquire mentors
- Employers look for internships on your resume
- Transition into a full-time position
- An internship may be part of the interview process
Internships can be secured in many types of organizations, such as professional companies (e.g. environmental service companies, mining, oil, and gas companies), government organizations (e.g. USGS), non-government organizations (NGOs), universities, and more.
You can find an internship in many ways, some of which are outlined below.
Handshake
Your home for jobs, internships, events and fairs, and even graduate and professional schools. When you log in to your Handshake account, you can see what jobs and internships are available to you and other UM students. Handshake is available to all current degree-seeking UM-Ann Arbor students and recent grads.
Log in to your Handshake account here.
Research-Based Internships
Faculty in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences host undergraduate students for independent research experiences, both during the academic year and in the summer. Working alongside a graduate student, postdoc, or faculty member, you can gain experience in cutting-edge labs addressing both fundamental and applied scientific problems. This work can be done for class credit (EARTH 298/299 and 498/499) and/or hourly pay, depending on the availability of funding. There are several routes to pursue such opportunities:
- Contact faculty directly. First, identify faculty whose research interests you; their websites are a good resource for learning about their research. Their websites are listed on their department profile pages. Second, send them an email, introducing yourself, explaining your interests, and the project(s) you are potentially interested in working on. Include a resume with relevant lab and coursework experience, if any.
- Apply to the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). This program matches students with faculty and provides a variety of support programs to undergraduates doing research.
- The Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) provides undergraduate students who are underrepresented in their field of study with the opportunity to conduct an intensive graduate-level research project with faculty and graduate students at the University of Michigan.
You can also look for research-based internships outside of our department through a variety of other resources, including job boards, organization websites, and more.
LSA Opportunity Hub
The University of Michigan’s LSA Opportunity Hub is a transformative career exploration center for undergraduate students of the liberal arts and sciences. They work with students as they develop their aspirations and professional identities, provide access to internships and funding to support those experiences, and connect them to employers and U-M’s extensive network of alums. They offer coaching, interactive courses, networking opportunities, and internship resources.
Connect with the LSA Opportunity Hub here.
Schedule an Appointment With the University of Michigan Career Center
The University of Michigan Career Center inspires and supports students to transition confidently beyond the university by creating a dynamic space to gain clarity through their process of self-discovery. They can help connect you with resources, events, and more that could lead to you landing an internship or job.
