There are two steps to getting an internship to count at the University of Pittsburgh. First, find an internship. Second, get it approved by your department. Currently, all Geology, Environmental Science, and Environmental Studies majors should get their internships approved by the faculty advisor for their area of study. Or explore some of the following to find your own leads:
Government Internships and Jobs: You can google 'internship' and the name of a government agency you'd like to work for, or you can search these links if you want government internships:
- Americorps
- Allegheny County Sanitary Authority
- Environmental Protection Agency: Click on "Academic Levels" and then "Show All" entries to find undergraduate opportunities.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): You can filter their searches for various opportunities.
- ORISE: Many Federal agencies. This should include the EPA, but seems to come up with different lists of opportunities. Click on University Students and Graduates to start searching for internships, research opportunities, and scholarships.
- Pennsylvania government internships: This website turns up internships for the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the state geological survey, and more. Under search you can put abbreviated terms, like 'env' or 'geo', to make sure you get a broader range of hits (e.g., both geoscientist and geologist). You might have to be an in-state resident to apply for these.
- Pennsylvania government jobs: Same as above, but if you click on the Menu link at the job you can see PA government jobs, qualification exams, and more.
- Government jobs beyond PA: I haven't explored Governmentjobs.com, but you should be able to find jobs in other states and perhaps the Federal government. Check it out!
Non-profit Internships and Jobs:
- Lehigh Valley Zoo
- Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
- Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh
- Regional Science Consortium
- Environment for the Americas Internships: This organization offers nation-wide internship opportunities.
- Fish and Feathers Internships: These place you in a national park to help visitors find fish or go bird watching.
- Scientists in Parks internships: These paid internships take place in national parks throughout the year. They can last 3 months to a year.
- Pathways to Science: Leads you to undergraduate research and internship opportunities.
- Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River: Click on "Find your local center and apply today!" to see opportunities across the watershed, from the Poconos to Philadelphia to Delaware to northern New Jersey.
Private-sector Internships and Jobs: The best way to get an internship or job in the regional private sector is to attend the monthly meetings of one or more of the following organizations:
- CDM Smith
- Carmuese: Founded in 1860, a privately owned Belgian company U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh. A global company providing lime, limestone, and mineral-based products for various markets.
- ESC (Engineering Consulting Services): a local firm with several GES alumni.
- The Association of Engineering and Environmental Geologists (AEG): Mainly environmental and engineering geologists.
- The Pittsburgh Geological Society (PGS): Features a mix of geologists working in petroleum, geological engineering, environmental consulting, and government.
- The Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI), a branch of the American Society of Civil Engineering.
- The Society of Women Environmental Professionals has chapters in major cities. This link takes you to the Pittsburgh chapter. The Philadelphia chapter has scholarships!
- The Pittsburgh Association of Petroleum Geologists (PAPG): Focuses almost exclusively on oil and natural gas exploration, but these companies do hire many environmental scientists to help ensure that their operations comply will environmental regulations.
These meetings feature a happy hour, dinner, and a formal lecture. The happy hour and dinner provide excellent opportunities to introduce yourself to random geoscientists and ask them about who they work for, what they do, and any advice they might have for you. If someone seems pretty interesting, ask them whether they might offer an internship. Instead of giving them a resume, make up business cards that give your name, major, expected graduation date, contact info, and that you are interested in an internship or, if the time is right, a full-time job. If “Interested in an Internship” is printed on the card, it will help remind them once they are back in the office to think about getting an internship set up and approved by the upper level management.
Field camp
- South Dakota Mines: https://geologyfieldcamp.sdsmt.edu/
Pitt's Career Fairs and the Office of CDPA
Pitt also holds several career fairs each year; each fall they feature one that focuses on people interested in science and engineering. For full details on these career fairs, visit Pitt's Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance (CDPA). Their web page features a calendar of upcoming events (you may have to scroll down to find it). Visiting them in person is a great way to get tips on your resume, applying for jobs, and other useful advice. The career fairs and the Office of Career Development and Placement Assistance are the best way to get jobs outside of the environmental sciences.
Summer undergraduate research opportunities
On-campus
Off-campus
- Stroud Water Research Center
- Carry Institute of Ecosystem Studies
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- US EPA
- ORISE REU programs
- USGS
- USDA
- USFS
Summer Jobs in National Parks and Other Cool Places
These are just regular jobs that happen to be in great places. They won't necessarily built environmental science skills, but they will allow you to spend your spare time exploring some pretty great nature: