CO-OP/Internship/Research Opportunities and Career Planning

EVST-BS students can elect to participate in the optional EVST CO-OP Subplan to earn valuable work experience while they are still in school. They begin by first taking the course PD 2170-004 and declaring the CO-OP Subplan. Upon satisfactory completion of PD 2170, students can co-op in the subsequent semesters, for a minimum of two semesters. For the first co-op experience, they sign up for COOP 2000 or 2051. For the second co-op experience, they sign up for COOP 3000 or 3051, OR they can choose one Service Learning, Peer Education, Undergraduate Research, International Experience, or Transformational course.

For academic and career planning, EVST students are encouraged to consult Dr. Teri Jacobs, Co-op and Internship Coordinator and EVST Undergraduate Director. You can learn more about different career paths available to environmental studies students in this document. 

One of the best ways to convince a future employer to hire you is to have documented work experience.  All EVST students are encouraged to do at least one internship during their degree.  Students may arrange their own placements, or may be assisted by the EVST program. Academic credit can be obtained by registration for EVST 5000 [Internship in enviromental studies].  This course is by permission only and requires that an internship agreement be approved by the EVST program.  The agreement can be downloaded (below), completed and submitted PRIOR to the internship period.  On completion of the internship, the workplace supervisor must submit a letter of evaluation to the EVST program director.

EVST Internship Learning Agreement Form

Research experience is especially important for students wanting to continue their education in a graduate program. Students may arrange to do this with UC faculty (for credit or under  STEM funding).  They are also encouraged to apply to competitive summer research programs at the university (such as WISE), and at other institutions (REU). Those planning on entering the workforce following graduation should focus on securing an internship experience. The links below are a good starting point for both research, internship, and award opportunities

Local/Regional

• UC Undergraduate Research
• UC Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE)
  
• Ohio Environmental Protection Acency: Environmental Education Scholarships (OEPA_EES)

 National

• National Science Foundation: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF-REU)
  
• Department of Energy's Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI)
  
• Environmental Protection Agency Internship Program
  
• Federal Pathways Program for Students and Recent Graduates
• Council on Undergraduate Research
• Udall National Award