Environment and Sustainability

Kloeck-Jenson Social Impact Scholars (sometimes includes environmental internships)

Study Abroad/Away Programs with Internship and Service-learning Opportunities

Summer Research at St. Olaf (CURI)

Community Development in Asia (sustainable agriculture in Japan, Japanese language skills are not necessary). *not offered every summer

Minnesota:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Internships
Wild Rivers Conservancy Internships (St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers)
Conservation Corps of Iowa and Minnesota (various summer programs)
Increasing Diversity in Environmental Careers (Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa)
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Tree Trust – Summer Youth Program Crew Leader/Field Coordinator/etc. (Twin Cities)
Minnesota Zoo Internships
Hennepin County
Greater Northfield Sustainability Collaborative (local organizations that might be able to host interns)

Other:
United States Forest Service Internships (natural resource management, biologist, soil conservation, etc.)
Alaska Conservation Foundation – Conservation Internships
Environmental Protection Agency Internships
Internship & Research Programs: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Nature Conservancy Internships
National Park Jobs and Internships
Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology (REU)
Field Biology Summer Program – University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center
Department of Energy Scholars Program (various roles in D.C. and other locations)
Empowering Diverse Climate Talent (EDICT) (paid 10-week internship program)
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Climate Corps
Summer Research at Other Institutions (biology, earth sciences, ocean sciences, polar programs, etc.)
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (REU) (includes ecology and crop sciences)
Udall Fellowship (very competitive)

Learn more about internships, research opportunities, and fellowships or review the St. Olaf Internship Database to see where Oles have interned over the past five years.

Minnesota Green Corps (AmeriCorps)
CivicSpark – AmeriCorps program focussed on addressing emerging environmental and social equity resilience challenges; 135 placements in California, Colorado, and Washington
Climate Impact Corps (AmeriCorps)
Conservation Corps of Iowa and Minnesota (see Individual Placements)
Green Corps – The Field School for Environmental Organizing (paid environmental organizing training program)
American Climate Corps (various roles and locations)
United States Forest Service (roles for recent graduates)
Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (graduate naturalist training)
The Aldo Leopold Future Leaders Program (post-graduate conservation fellowship)
Farm Apprentice – Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming (New York)
Food Corps (AmeriCorps)

Conservation Job Board

Student Conservation Association Internship Database

MN Clean Energy Job Board

Net Impact Job and Internship Board (includes roles in corporate sustainability/social responsibility)

Seek out opportunities to explore your interests, gain valuable professional experience, and develop new skills through Student Employment. 

What types of roles are there for students?

Check out the Student Employment Guide to learn about roles students currently or have previously held at St. Olaf. There are a wide variety of opportunities! 

Here are a few examples:

• Leadership roles including Junior Counselor/Resident Assistant positions in Residence Life, Peer Educator in the Wellness Center, Peer Advisor in the Piper Center, TRIO Upward Bound summer staff, Admissions positions
• Teaching assistant (various departments, including Environmental Studies), tutor, or Supplemental Instruction Leader with the Center for Advising and Academic Support
• Biology department positions including Greenhouse worker, animal care assistant
• Community Work Study positions with local nonprofit organizations, including opportunities at the Greenvale Park Community School, the Middle School Youth Center, and the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative (HCI)

Student Employment Resources

Student Employment Job Board – this is the best resource for identifying current openings on campus. Occasionally, departments will also share opportunities on Handshake.

Student Employment Guide – this guide includes many of the positions that students currently or have previously held at St. Olaf. If you see a position you are interested in, but do not see it posted as a current opportunity on the Job Board you may wish to reach out via email or by stopping in to the office to learn more about the role and hiring process.

Top 10 Green Dream Jobs
A Guide to Green Careers
Cyber-Sierra’s Natural Resources Job Search 
Environmental Careers: 13 Most In-Demand “Green” Jobs in 2021

Climate Careers (compiled by faculty and students at Vassar College)
Highlights the following areas: Communication & Culture, Urban Planning, Architecture, Politics & Policy, Activism & Organizing, Climate Law, Ocean Farming, Synthetic Biology, Finance and Every Career Can be a Climate Career

Solar Industry Career Map – Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)
Careers in Solar Power – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Green Buildings Career Map – Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)

Green Career Information – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Includes in-depth information on careers in the following fields: water conservation, sustainable forestry, biofuels, geothermal energy, environmental remediation, sustainability, energy auditors, recycling, electric vehicles, green construction, solar power and wind energy)

Learn more HERE