Tag Archives: Integrated Science/Business

Resource Spotlight: National Park Service Internship Programs

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On Top of the World

Last summer, I took a big summer trip to Yosemite National Park. It was incredible, so much so that I began to plan for a return trip immediately after I got home. I found out a few weeks ago that I will be vacationing there again this upcoming summer, this time traveling through their High Sierra Camps. I am super excited!

Before last summer’s trip, I highlighted the Student Conservation Association (SCA), an excellent resource for finding internship opportunities with the National Park Service, with whom they are a partner. However, the SCA isn’t the only resource for finding opportunities to work with in our national parks.

  • Many internships/jobs for students are filled at the park level. If there is a national park that you are really interested in working for, contact them directly. Might I suggest Yosemite ;)
  • You can seek opportunities through the federal government’s Student Educational Employment Program. There are two programs under this umbrella, the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). To find positions, visit studentjobs.gov and USAJobs. Again, you can also contact parks directly. If you are eligible for STEP or SCEP, let them know.
  • Since UW-Whitewater has both MBA and MPA programs, I should mention the National Parks Business Plan Internship. Up to 15 summer “consultants” are brought on board. The students are grouped into teams of two to three and are assigned to work at one of our national parks. The consultants work with park management to conduct financial and strategy analysis. Transportation to the training session, to the park, and from the park back home are covered. Plus, summer consultants receive a weekly stipend AND are provided with housing.
  • Perfect for history and public history majors is the Historic Preservation Internship Training Program. Notice for Summer 2011 positions will be put out in January. There is also the Heritage Documentation Programs, which offer work to students in documenting historic sites and structures of architectural, landscape, and technological significance throughout the country.
  • The Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program is open to diverse undergraduate and graduate students. Interns are placed in opportunities for historic preservation and cultural resources work. These summer internships include a Career Workshop in Washington, DC, a weekly stipend, and housing allowance.

If you are at all interested in working for the National Park Service, you have a ton of resources available to find that perfect internship. Hope to see you out there!

Confessions of a Summer Intern: Meet Allison Lindsey

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Allison Lindsey

I walked in and thought “I hope I’m in the right place.” I had no clue what to think that first day with Mercy Marketing. What does an intern do? How much is expected of me? Is lunch provided? These are all questions I had that first day.

My name is Allison Lindsey, I am an Integrated Science and Business major, and I am doing my internship with Mercy Health System’s Marketing Department.

I decided in April of 2010 that since I am graduating in May of 2011 I should probably get the ball rolling on my internship. After contacting my advisor, I had no clue what I wanted to pursue. I talked with Sharon Roy in the UW-Whitewater Marketing Department, but none of the places she gave me to contact worked out. Finally, I got the name of Laura in Career & Leadership Development, and she asked a little bit about me and what I was looking for. I told her that I would love to do something in a health care system. She had a connection with Trish from Mercy, who is a Whitewater graduate and a former Mercy intern. Laura had asked if I’ve heard of Mercy, and I told her yes, I had, and I actually work for them at a different facility.

I talked with Laura before the interview, because I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up. She told me to be myself, and gave me some pointers on how to be professional in an interview. I took all of those suggestions with me and I nailed the interview! I was offered the internship that day. I walked away with huge boost in my confidence, and now I have been given an opportunity of a lifetime. You are only going to get out of this what you put into it. My plan is to get as much information about this department as I can, to set achievable goals for myself, and to rock out the internship!

The first day I found out that the interns are in charge of the fair…it’s our project for the summer. Some of the challenges I would be facing: I am working with people whom I have never met and I don’t know if they work differently than I do. My first day was tough, I was scared and not myself. I didn’t get to meet my mentor on the first day, but I was able to hold it together. The next day was great! I got to meet Rachel, my mentor, and found out that we work together really well. She took the time to sit down and ask not only about my education and about what I can bring to the department, but also about me. She made me feel so comfortable the second day that I was there. It gave me a boost in my confidence to be myself. I have since been told by the director of the marketing department that I am doing a great job. I’m 24 years old, but I still need to hear that I’m doing ok. I may be old and married, and probably one of the oldest interns that Mercy Marketing has ever had, but I am unique and have a lot to offer.  That’s my confidence talking…

Water Industry Internships in the Milwaukee Area

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In an earlier post, I mentioned connecting with the Milwaukee 7 Water Council. There are some great opportunities flowing through that pipeline right now that the Council and I hope UW-Whitewater students take advantage of.

The Milwaukee 7 is an economic development group focused on attracting, retaining, and growing businesses and talent in the seven counties of southeastern Wisconsin (including Walworth County and the community of Whitewater). Its Water Council is pursuing a mission to make this region the global hub for research, development, and education on freshwater resources and industry. In fact, the Milwaukee Region is already home to operations of some of the world’s largest water firms. The Council is made up of business, university, and government leaders who all work together to acheive their mission.

My introduction to the Water Council was at their recent internship “best practices” seminar. Industry leaders who already offer quality internship opportunities wanted to educate others in the industry about the value interns add to an organization. I was there to sit on a university panel addressing how employers can best connect with universities to find interns. The seminar was a very educational experience for me as well, and I met several great people that day. I left the event very enthusiastic about connecting UW-Whitewater students with internship opportunities in the water industry.

With the help of Spreenkler, the Water Council is hosting a student night. The event is your chance to learn more about the water industry in Milwaukee and the 30 internships available this summer. Rich Meeusen, CEO of Badger Meter and UW-Whitewater alum, will be the keynote speaker. After hearing him speak at the internship seminar, I can tell you he’s an amazing speaker who will get you pumped about the water industry, too. If you’re a business major, ITI major, or Integrated Science and Business major, definitely plan on attending. And bring your resume!

The Summer 2009 Water Industry Internships event is Tuesday, March 24 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Bucketworks in Milwaukee (1340 N 6th St). RSVP by Monday, March 23 at www.meetup.com/M7Intern or send an email to info@spreenkler.com. I know it’s spring break, so if you can’t make the event, you can email your resume to Steve Glynn, founder of Spreenkler, at steve@spreenkler.com.