Unique to the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ESS) program, students are required to complete an internship as part of their degree. These internships provide hands-on experience, helping students navigate the diverse and complex career paths within the environmental field while extending their learning beyond the classroom.
To facilitate these opportunities, the ESS internship class encourages students to reflect on the skills they are developing. Leah Bates and Lauren Smith, two students currently enrolled in the internship class, share their experiences:
Lauren Smith is serving as an AmeriCorps Conservation Director at Conservation Nebraska, where she is honing her communication skills and engaging with stakeholders – both essential to her future career. “This internship has influenced my professional aspirations by reassuring my interest in environmental communications, and community outreach focused on environmental education,” said Smith. Her reflection underscores the impact of hands-on experiences in shaping students’ career trajectories.
Leah Bates is a Year-Round Environmental Intern for Union Pacific Railroads. “At Union Pacific, I work with our company’s greenhouse gas emissions and some of our hazardous materials. Learning about these topics in class gave me the confidence and resources that I needed to complete my work” stated Bates.
By combining course curriculum and experiential learning, ESS students are adeptly prepared to tackle environmental challenges post-graduation. Above all, these internships help our undergraduates cultivate passion for their future career – wherever it may lead.
For more information about past ESS internships, please visit our website: https://esp.unl.edu/experiential-learning/internships/
More details at: https://esp.unl.edu/experiential-learning/internships/