The Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change (ESCC) Internship Program is a multi-stakeholder program that places students in research and project teams, while simultaneously providing professional development and enrichment training.
This page only lists the internship positions currently open for which we are accepting applications. Application deadlines are specified below for each employer. As students leave to graduate or study abroad, we usually have a few new openings each semester.
For more information on each of the internship employers, visit this page. For any questions, email Michelle Patterson, Internship & Business Coordinator, at mpatterson@wustl.edu. We are looking forward to reviewing your application!
Positions for Summer 2025
Office of Sustainability
We are looking for enthusiastic and hard-working graduate or undergraduate students who want to be part of the movement to advance sustainability at Washington University. The multi-semester positions require a commitment of 5-10 hours/week during the school year; summer positions are full-time (37.5 hours/week). Associates work collaboratively in groups on projects with oversight from the Office of Sustainability staff and will engage in a broad range of projects including communications and design, renewable energy, alternative transportation, waste diversion, sustainable food and dining, green buildings, green offices program, etc.
Overview: Support student move out collections through the Share Our Stuff (SOS) program, including sorting donated material for community partners, student reuse, and sales; and overseeing sales and donation transactions at events. Retail and organization skills are a bonus! Work will take place at Mudd MPR (S40) and the Circularity Center (North Campus, 700 Rosedale Ave.)
Compensation: $13.75/hr
Time Commitment: Flexible scheduling May 1 – June 1 and August 16 – Sept 3. Hours and schedule are flexible and will be negotiated with the hired student.
Send a letter of interest to cassandra.hage@wustl.edu by April 10 for early summer dates and by June 30 for late summer dates.
In September 2024, WashU launched the WashU Climate Corps, part of the Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC), the first nationwide AmeriCorps program solely dedicated to campus-based, community-led climate action.
The summer term of the WashU Climate Corps will run from May or June 2025 through the end of July 2025 and will build on the foundation of the program established over the academic year. There are three focus areas: 1) energy conservation and carbon reduction, 2) urban trees and ecology, and 3) circularity and solid waste pollution prevention. Members within each focus area split their time between relevant projects on campus and in the St. Louis community in partnership with local non-profits.
For more information on these positions and how to apply click here.
Overview: SPARK: Sustainability Leadership Training Program is a program hosted by the Office of Sustainability. It will take place August 15-23 on campus and at select locations across St. Louis and Illinois. The program will bring together environmentally minded WashU students to learn and network. It will include a two-day workshop at Shaw Nature Reserve, guest lecturers, and half-day trips to local organizations to learn more about environmental and social issues as well as on-campus social activities.
Compensation: $13.75/hr and includes housing contract extension for the duration of the SPARK program (for those living on campus). An excellent leadership and professional development opportunity!
Time Commitment: Requires some compensated preparation over the summer (which can be done remotely), a full-time commitment from Aug 7 – 23 (Aug 7 – 13 can be remote), and a small amount of follow up/wrap up work through Sept 3. Send a letter of interest to cassandra.hage@wustl.edu by May 16.
Responsibilities:
Pre-program (June – early Aug, remote):
- Manage SPARK application process and communicate with participants about program logistics
- Manage participant arrival dates, participation dates, and housing assignments (for on-campus students)
- Help plan retreat, activities, and content, create budget, prepare packing and supplies lists
- Communicate with program student leaders to organize student-led events
- Communicate with external leaders and collaborators to organize activities
- Contact and work with multiple WashU offices (dining, ResLife, etc.) to organize meal cards and housing for participants
- Help with SPARK promotion
During program:
- Act as liaison between program participants and OOS staff
- Support OOS staff during content and activities
- General organization and helping with program operations
Post-program (Aug 23 – Sept 5):
- Communicate with participants to obtain feedback, write program report
Midwest Climate Collaborative
The MCC is housed in the university’s Center for the Environment and is working at a regional level to accelerate climate action. We bring together representatives across the Midwest from higher education, local government, business, and the non-profit sector to craft and implement a cohesive response to the climate crisis. The MCC was launched in January 2022 and continues to build its presence in the region through in-person and virtual networking, social media, conference presentations, and other communication streams.
More Information on how to apply coming soon.