Sustainability and Environmental Internships
Darling Marine Center Summer Internships
The Darling Marine Center conducts important marine research as part of UMaine, the state’s Land and Sea Grant University. The DMC annually hosts about 25 undergraduate interns for 10-12 weeks in summer. It is also possible to incorporate this internship into the Capstone or Honors Thesis process. Applications generally open in January.
Department of Ecology and Environmental Science Internship Page
UMaine’s Department of Ecology and Environmental Science maintains a web page with links to a few resources for finding internships. The page has links to the Career Center, Pathways to Science programs, and NASA internship opportunities.
Cooperative Extension Internship Program
University of Maine Cooperative Extension provides numerous resources, programs and services related to gardening, farming, community, and environmental topics. It encourages engagement and education by facilitating numerous volunteer, educational, and community based events, training, and opportunities for students, industry professionals, and members of the public. Cooperative Extension has compiled several annual internship opportunities for the fall, spring, and summer semesters including Forest Ecology Trail Design, 4-H STEM Programs Evaluation, 4-H Aquaponics Program, and Cooperative Extension Leadership internships. Information about various internships and how to apply can be found on their website.
Lake Stewards of Maine
Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) works to protect Maine lakes and promote lake stewardship through citizen participation and by gathering and disseminating credible information about lake health. Their primary initiatives are to monitor and improve water quality, control invasive species, improve the identification and mitigation of pollution, and collect and communicate important lake data. While the LSM opens up several internship positions annually, they are seasonal during summer, so interested individuals should keep an eye out during the application period each year.
Lobster Ecology and Industry Internship
This internship is facilitated by the Wahle Lab and Lobster Institute at the Darling Marine Center. Interns will prepare, deploy, and retrieve lobster collectors, as well as data recording and entry. Individuals who are scuba certified may be able to become an AAUS certified scientific diver in training and participate in field experiments with approval. Applicants must be undergraduate students pursuing a degree in marine science, molecular biology, or related sciences.
Maine Sea Grant NOAA Fisheries Undergraduate Internships in Sea-Run Fish Research
There are several paid internship positions available through UMaine’s collaboration with NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Internships are roughly 13 weeks long during the summer and are held at several locations including the University of Maine in Orono and the Maine Department of Marine Resources offices in Augusta and Jonesboro. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 6 credits during the fall semester. More details about available positions can be found on the Maine Sea Grant website.
Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Maine Government Summer Internship Program
The Maine Government Summer Internship Program allows motivated students to gain valuable professional and networking experience. Interns work with state, municipal, and local agencies full time with pay for the duration of the summer. Applications open annually in March. This internship is open to students of any major currently enrolled in the UMS system.
Page Farm and Home Museum Internship Program
The Page Farm and Home Museum is dedicated to educating the public about Maine industry, agriculture, economy, and home life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Page Farm and Home Museum Interns assist with museum collections, exhibits, storage, preservation, research, documentation, public education, and programming as necessary. An individual’s placement in the museum may depend on their experience, experience, and skills. While this internship is unpaid, it is possible to earn University credits depending on your degree program.
U360 Business Sustainability Internship Program
The Manomet U360 Business Sustainability Internship is an annual virtual experiential education and professional development program that teaches soft skills, environmental science, sustainability concepts, and how to apply them in the real world through direct engagement with small businesses. During the course of two semesters, students will each lead up to 25 small business owners through an assessment of their environmental, social, and governance practices. At the end of the program, each student will create an action plan for one of their businesses which will focus on how it can make money, save money, and reduce risk through sustainable business practices. Students of all majors are encouraged to apply.