What is an Internship?
The internship program in geography attempts to integrate a student's formal study in geography with practical experience in a geography related endeavor. It provides students with an on-the-job learning, not available in courses. Students will be able to apply skills and knowledge gained in course work and learn new skills and information in a practical setting under careful supervision. This experience provides the opportunity to learn about job opportunities and gives students important on-the-job experience that greatly strengthens their resume. Agencies or companies will provide experiences that give students opportunities to learn about the agency's or company's program, to develop new skills and apply existing ones, and to work on meaningful projects rather than doing busy work. Pay or living expenses for the intern are desirable but not expected.Internships are offered each semester and during the summer. Students interested in an internship usually locate a position on their own with the assistance from faculty in the Geography Department. Occasionally, agencies or companies will contact the department requiring student interns.
Internships may be arranged with government agencies, companies, or professionals who have involvement with resource management, land use, cartography, meteorology, and urban/economic development. Here is a list of contacts which provide internship opportunities. You are not restricted to these agencies. You may know of an agency or company in your hometown, for example, that would be appropriate. Most internships do not pay or provide living expenses. However, you may find some that do. The list of contacts indicates whether or not some type of remuneration exists.