In 2024, the Office of Sustainability is piloting a new version of its popular summer internship program that will place students with campus partners to give them a deeper understanding of campus operations and real-world experience.
Spend your summer in St. Louis doing a deep-dive in sustainable operations with one of the numerous Office of Sustainability collaborators. Student interns will gain exposure to real-life scenarios in which people are taking a sustainability challenge and figuring out how to operationalize a solution.
Host site selection is underway – the following partners are currently being considered: Dining Services, Student Technology Services, Environmental Health & Safety, the Radiology Department, and Sam Fox School of Art & Design. The goal of the placement is to advance one or more programs, initiatives, research, data collection, reporting, etc. connected to advancing sustainability activities at WashU while providing students with professional experiences.
In addition to working closely with a direct supervisor from within the host department, interns in this program will receive training and mentorship from Office of Sustainability staff and participate in the Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change (ESCC) Internship Program. The ESCC Program includes all students participating within the operational sustainability program, as well as other sustainability-related internships at WashU and within the St. Louis community. Participants are connected to one another through weekly professional development and social activities. The ESCC internship program offers an enriching cohort experience in which students report numerous benefits ranging from the development of soft and hard skills, as well as deepening a foundational network of peers and professional mentors.
The operational sustainability internship program spans June 3 – August 2 with the option to extend to Aug 9 (9-10 weeks). This full-time internship position will take place in person, on campus, with some flexibility for occasional remote work. The deadline to submit an application is March 31.
Successful summer interns will have the opportunity to be considered for placement in part-time internship positions at the Office of Sustainability for the following academic year.
Skills / Qualifications:
- Basic knowledge of and passion for sustainability issues
- Systems thinker
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency with MS Word and Excel; design software experience is a plus
- Ability to interact professionally and confidently with University staff members
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
- Works well in a group setting
- Ability to conduct research to evaluate different strategies
- Interest in outreach and education
Additional skills may be desirable and applicable for specific placements.
To apply, please complete an application and submit a cover letter, resume, and two academic or professional references with contact information.