There are few issues more pressing than climate change. As the world battles with unprecedented fires, storms, and drought due to man-made climate change, it’s going to take a Herculean effort to, not only cut carbon emissions, but also adapt human life. The good news is, there is a lot young people can do. In fact, a group of kids recently won a long-shot case in against the government in Montana for the harmful effects of climate on their home state. As always, we advise our students to seek out internships where they can actually work on projects and produce results. It’s far more impressive to be somewhere you can say you accomplished xy and z than it is to have a fancy company or organization on your resume where you obviously spent your internship getting coffee for executives.
Your local environmental department
Every city structure is different, but if you’re interested in learning about how cities are working to address climate change, it’s worth contacting your local Department of Environmental Protection (or whatever the equivalent local entity is in your area) and seeing if they would offer an internship. Local government is accountable for things that have a huge impact on civilians, from water quality to pipes that protect cities from increased flood risk.
You should begin the whole journey with a cover letter. Start off by telling a (short) story about how you came to be interested in the environment. This doesn’t need to be a big deal story. It can be a few sentences about how you went to a climate change march with your mom in the third grade or planted trees for a school project and learned to love the earth. Then, talk about your experience. What classes have you taken that might be relevant? How about clubs? Finally, do a deep dive into the department you’re reaching out to and talk about the projects/initiatives that are interesting you.
LEGAL
With the precedent-setting Montana case in mind, many groups, individuals, and governments have already and will be launching lawsuits in the years to come regarding climate change. Laws and regulations are critical to protecting the environment from corporate interests. Do a bit of research and find out if anyone in your state is working on legal action related to the environment. Contact the lawyer’s office or organization and express your interest in taking on an internship. You could end up doing some legitimate research that aids in an impactful case.
Follow the same cover letter guidance as above. You might need to reach out to dozens of law firms before getting a bite. That’s okay! Just track down emails on online or pick up the phone and call until you get the right contact.
NON-PROFITS AND POLITICAL ORGS
There are tons of organizations out there working on climate change and the environment, from Green Peace, to the Sunrise Movement and more. Reach out to your local chapter of the Sierra Club, or another environmental organization. See if you can design or spearhead a project that will solve a tangible problem during the duration of your internship. Make sure to write a cover letter.
RESEARCH
Climate change research is not only critical to diagnosing environmental problems and learning about their impacts, but it’s also pivotal to developing and implementing solutions. A scientist recently developed an ultra-white paint that is said to have such potent properties for absorbing CO2, if used across the entire world, it could singlehandedly solve many of the catastrophic effects of climate we’re seeing around the globe. Do a bit of research into the professors at colleges in your area or your state who study the environment. Dive deep here and reach out to see if anyone needs a research assistant on a specific project. Make sure you do your homework about the people you’re reaching out to and weave in what they’ve accomplished into your cover letter. The more knowledgeable you are, the more likely it is they’ll want your help. Your goal here should be to get published with the professor.
INITIATIVES
Ok…it’s not exactly an internship, but another great opportunity is to start your own initiative or project and work with your local government or community groups to implement it. Spend your summer getting a local river completely cleaned and partner with the Congressmen whose district it’s in to rally volunteers. Start a composting program in a neighborhood or a series of schools. Don’t underestimate the power you have as a student (with some time on their hands) to do something really impactful.
JOURNALISM
Local journalism is one of the most powerful tools in the county for making change. Over the last decade or so, local news has been stripped to the bone by big companies that have purchased papers and tv stations en masse. Because they are so under-resourced, local papers and news stations present a great opportunity for eager students. Come up with a story idea about how an environmental issue is impacting members of your community. Pitch it to the local paper and see if a veteran journalist can help guide you through the process of publishing a story.
The key to an internship is to have it be a natural extension of a particular niche you’ve been cultivating throughout high school. If you’re an environmentalist, your goal should be to flesh that expertise out as much as possible throughout high school and then, apply to programs that are a natural extension of what you’ve already been doing.
Need help landing on a great internship? Call us. We’re experts at helping students develop impressive resumes.