When was the last time your term paper saved a national treasure?
Internships with Meaning
We all care deeply about our environment. We also know that, as a country, we need to be taking more action to ensure that our environment is preserved, especially when powerful interests stand in the way.Environment America, the federation of state-based environment groups, acts as a strong advocate on a broad range environmental issues, including promoting energy efficiency, protecting our open spaces, cleaning up our air and water, and to advancing global warming solutions. We speak out and take action at the local, state, and national levels to protect our precious natural resources.
Our approach works; we have been a part of many important victories for the environment. Our efforts to pass renewable energy standards in the states has already resulted in decreasing global warming pollution – the equivalent of taking 1.5 million cars off the road. We have protected pristine wilderness areas across the country, including 4 million acres of forests in Colorado and convinced Michigan to protect three key ecological areas in the state. We have kept safe countless waterways, including designating 45 waterways for Clean Water Act protections in New Jersey and passing an ocean protection bill in California. Most recently, Environment America championed the energy bill that Congress passed and the President signed into law.
“I actually got to participate in every aspect of the campaign and see what it is like to be an advocate on a daily basis…It was awesome to actually meet with congressmen and it really made me feel like I was directly involved in the process.”
– Angela Kilbert, College of William & Mary Student and Environment America Intern
“This internship was so much more than I expected. I liked the opportunity to work on substantive things…and found the staffers to be so enthusiastic and helpful. The mentor program is a great way for us to…focus on an issue that particularly interested us. All my friends were jealous of my internship. ”
– Jill Bunting, Harvard University Student and Environment America Intern
Internship Description
Internships with Environment America offer students a unique, mentored experience. Interns work one-on-one with one of Environment America’s advocates or campaign organizers. Interns acquire the basic skills to analyze issues and put together solutions to problems that threaten our environment. Interns learn that activism and participation in the democratic process yield results. Though responsibilities vary, most internships include:
- Conducting research into critical environmental problems and preparing investigative reports
- Coordinating media events, assisting in the preparation of news releases and opinion pieces
- Attending meetings with lawmakers and other decision makers
- Working with coalition partners and state-based environment federation
- Monitoring the progress of legislation in Congress and the actions of Federal agencies
Interns may also have the opportunity to attend local, regional, and national program briefings and trainings where they learn more about environmental issues and gain political skills. Summer interns participate in “brown bag lunch” discussions with leaders within Environment America and our federation of state-based environment offices as well as leaders within other organizations.
Although Environment America internships are unpaid, students may receive academic credit from their college or university. Environment America will also participate in college work-study programs.
Qualifications
- A strong commitment to Environment America’s issues
- Strong writing and analytical skills
- The ability to debate and speak persuasively
- An enthusiasm for the work
Available Internships
Field Internship: Work with Environment America’s campaign and advocacy staff to demonstrate support for Environment America’s issues at the state and national level. Over the course of the internship, you will learn the basics of a variety of issues, and then reach out to individuals, media outlets, organizations, and decision-makers to build visibility and gain their support.
Legislative Internship: Over the course of the internship you will work with Environment America’s advocacy staff gaining in-depth knowledge on one or two specific issues. You may help to research and write reports, organize media events, build national coalitions, and lobby governmental or corporate decision-makers in support of specific policy proposals.
Media Internship: Over the course of the internship, you will work with Environment America’s Communications Team to organize press conferences, pitch stories to reporters, respond to breaking news and requests for information and interviews, and assist in writing and placing opinion pieces.
How To Apply