Sustainability Internships
The sustainability internship forms the backbone of all the work that the Center for Sustainability undertakes. Graduate Fellows from a variety of disciplines oversee program areas such as waste, energy, food and gardens, and mobility. Undergraduate program leaders take charge of individual programs, including the DU Food Pantry, Zero Waste Athletics, the REPS program, Programming and Event Planning leads, a Bike Shop Manager and the DU Gear Garage Manager. Other undergraduate interns support these programs, learn more about the sustainability field, assist with event planning and prepare to take on a leadership role in future years.
Meet This Year's Interns
This network of motivated, passionate students participates in extensive training for personal, professional and leadership development, put into practice in real-world experiences with program, team and project management. Students finish with a portfolio that clearly demonstrates leadership, impact and deep learning. In total, the sustainability internship offers one of the most holistic and meaningful student employment experiences available at DU.
Sustainability Internship Learning Outcomes
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Utilize the communication, reporting and networking tools required to work as an interdisciplinary team in the 21st century
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Identify and analyze interdisciplinary connections, systems thinking approaches and collaborator networks
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Describe how individual strengths allow for personal and team growth
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Demonstrate depth of knowledge on a broad range of sustainability topics
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Demonstrate leadership in developing, managing and assessing team projects
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Evaluate the effectiveness of sustainability projects and operations
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Describe the links between social justice, equity, diversity and environmental sustainability
While the sustainability internship program is highly competitive, it is open to all students. Just as sustainability challenges are highly complex and interdisciplinary, the approach our teams take to solving them must include perspectives, skills and understandings from all areas of study.
Working at the Center for Sustainability has allowed me to connect and collaborate with a diverse set of individuals, all working to make an impact on this planet for the better. The Center has helped me find a community of like-minded mobility advocates with whom I can geek out about bikes all while sharing my passions and visions for a more sustainable transportation system on DU's Campus, in and around Denver, and across the US at large. Since the Center does so much more beyond mobility, I have been introduced to a wealth of other sustainable ideas and opportunities. The endless creativity and infectious passion of the Center teams has repeatedly inspired me; I couldn't imagine a better group of individuals with whom I'd like to work to help my new home.
Working for the DU Center for Sustainability is an amazing and enriching experience. I have met so many great students and staff, and made many friends that help me with projects, school, and even life. There are also many professional skills that I have learned throughout my years working at the Center, including resume writing, networking, and project planning. I am so excited to see what my future at the Center and beyond will bring.
My freshman year, I was introduced to the Center for Sustainability through my participation in the Environmental Sustainability LLC. Four years later, I am an energy programming lead where I am able to apply my communication and sustainability studies to student engagement with event organizing and programming. Not only that, but the Center has allowed me to nurture my passion for sustainability and develop a community which has become an integral part of my identity and college experience.
Apply for a Spot on the Sustainability Intern Team
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