Internships


Experiential learning through real-world solutions

The Office of Sustainability Student Internship Program provides opportunities for experiential learning and professional development while making a positive and tangible impact within the University of Georgia and Athens communities. The Office of Sustainability partners with campus and community organizations to identify real-world challenges and develop sustainable solutions. Leadership training is enhanced through a collaboration with J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development.

Are you a student who would like to apply for a sustainability internship position?

The Office of Sustainability is committed to cultivating an inclusive, diverse and respectful workplace. All current students are welcome and encouraged to apply. Applications for Fall Semester 2024 are due by March 31, 2024.

Internship Application

Now accepting applications for the following positions in Fall 2024

Campus as a Living Lab Intern 

This position is responsible for coordinating and advancing the UGA Living Lab program designed to engage faculty, staff, and students in developing sustainable solutions to pressing challenges.  This academic year will focus on Zero Waste UGA, a program designed to engage the campus community in reducing waste and implementing circular economy principles.  Tasks will include communicating with faculty, staff, students and operations staff, sharing data streams, hosting events, and outreach activities.  Candidates should be organized, collaborative, confident in public speaking and engaging diverse audiences, comfortable with minor website maintenance, and interested in facilitating hands-on experiential learning to achieve sustainable solutions. 


UN Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (UNRCE) 

RCE Greater Atlanta is a United Nations-affiliated regional sustainability education network that brings together universities and colleges from across the Greater Atlanta region with nonprofit, community, government, and business partners to advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals through education and training.  This intern position will collaborate with UNRCE interns at other campuses including GA Tech, Emory, and Spellman.  Tasks will include communications and outreach such as website, storytelling, and newsletter development, home institution student engagement, network weaving, participation in regular meetings, and other tasks as needed. 


Sustainability Certificate Intern 

This intern will support the Sustainability Certificate by coordinating events, communicating with students and faculty, conducting communications and outreach including the biweekly newsletter and social media sites, and working with alumni and ambassadors. Enrollment in the Sustainability Certificate is preferred.

 

Sustainability Leadership Program Intern 

This position will assist the Office of Sustainability in developing a UGA staff leadership program. Intern will research reference programs, design a competency-based credential program to engage UGA staff in sustainability leadership activities, and develop a plan and schedule for phased implementation. Candidates should be organized and self-motivated with excellent written and verbal communication skills. 


Bike Programs Intern 

Intern will collaborate with partner units to develop and enhance bicycle programs and infrastructure such as pop-up bike repair clinics, group rides, abandoned bike management, and identifying priority bike safety improvements. Candidates should be proactive and experienced cyclists with an interest in bicycle repair, a passion for alternative transportation, and an ability to engage positively with various stakeholders. 


Strategic Communications Intern 

Strategic Communications Interns work collaboratively to elevate sustainability initiatives at UGA through newsletters, social media, events, and other creative engagement. Duties may include writing a weekly newsletter, developing social media content, creating on-brand graphics, coordinating events, and photographing sustainability-related activities. Candidates should be organized and collaborative with excellent graphic, written, and verbal communication skills, a passion for storytelling, and experience with strategic engagement to inform and inspire action. 


Farm to Campus Intern 

The Farm to Campus Intern is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing weekly Farm to Campus Markets. The intern must be available on Wednesdays between 8AM-4PM and must have a vehicle and valid driver's license to transport produce and supplies. Candidates should be self-motivated, creative, collaborative, and highly organized with excellent communication skills. Experience volunteering with Farm to Campus Markets and participation in Farmers Market Friends student organization is preferred. 


Housing Sustainability Intern 

The Intern will assist the Housing Sustainability Coordinator with special projects and education for sustainability within UGA housing. Projects may include co-advising student leaders who promote sustainability among Housing residents, and leading sustainability-related outreach and research opportunities within University Housing. The intern will be a liaison between the Office of Sustainability and University Housing. Candidates should be organized and self-motivated with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Students with experience living on campus preferred. 


Green Roof/Green Zone Intern

This intern will track data for the UGA Grounds Department Green Zone project and help maintain UGA’s six extensive green roofs. The position will assist Grounds crews and management in assessing electric equipment compared to gas powered equipment. Green roof maintenance will include removing weeds, planting if necessary, and general upkeep. Candidates should enjoy hands-on work, data collection, and engaging with operational staff. 


Campus Arboretum 

This intern will work directly with the UGA Grounds Department and Campus Arboretum Committee to provide technical and creative support for the University of Georgia Campus Arboretum. Candidate must be motivated and self-reliant. Candidate should have a solid foundation in the identification of tree species (native and non-native) common to the Athens vicinity and possess a basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems. Approximately 1/3 of the intern’s time will be spent observing and recording trees on campus, 2/3 time will be spent expanding the Campus Arboretum website. 


Campus Compost Intern 

This intern will be part of the small team behind the tricycle-powered UGA Campus Compost Program. This position includes physical collection of compost bins from 100+ campus locations, communication with program participants, data collection, and compost promotion at UGA. Candidates must have a passion for composting and engaging with others, be a safe and confident bicyclist, have a valid driver’s license, enjoy working behind the scenes and getting their hands dirty (and smelly), be willing to work outdoors in sub-ideal weather conditions, and able to lift up to 50 lbs. 


Greek Life Intern 

Are you a member of a Greek organization on campus? Do you want to see the Greek community expand its leadership role in sustainability, equity, and inclusion? The Greek Life intern coordinates the Greek Goes Green program and serves as a liaison between individual chapters, Greek Life, and the UGA Office of Sustainability. This position includes educating and empowering fraternity/sorority sustainability coordinators, advancing equitable sustainability initiatives among diverse Greek chapters, and ensuring compliance with UGA and ACC waste reduction strategies. Experience in event planning and social media management is beneficial to this role but is not a requirement. Candidates should be self-motivated with a passion for sustainability, strong communication and organizational skills, and an ability to effectively collaborate and inspire others.  


Zero Waste Infrastructure Intern 

This intern will help UGA pilot Zero Waste infrastructure through planning and implementation of new compost bins and signage across strategic buildings on campus. This work will include assessing interior waste infrastructure, planning compost bin placement, communicating with stakeholders, and physically installing bins and signs (no special skills required). These enhancements in waste infrastructure and education will play a critical role in helping UGA reach its waste diversion goals. Candidates should be highly organized, detail-oriented, communicative, able to work well in pairs, and willing to work with their hands. 


Commissioning (Cx) Intern 

For this position, there will be four options for projects and the choice will depend on the particular skills of the chosen candidate. The options include processing our mechanical plans and building reliable databases to inform our energy-saving work; processing energy rebate applications with Georgia Power and their subsidiaries; using Python or other platforms to help develop and hone our energy savings estimates; or analyzing and assessing our new Energy Management Information System (EMIS). 


Concrete Jungle Intern 

The Concrete Jungle intern will provide essential support with fruit tree and farm gleaning, produce education, communications, and food distribution. The position will assist with program logistics with the opportunity to support program evaluation and capacity building, as well as other organizational projects that align with their skills and interests. The intern will work in a small nonprofit setting that is grounded in community-based efforts in food security and food waste reduction.   


Campus Kitchen Communications 

The Campus Kitchen Communications Intern will manage the newsletter and social media and be an integral part of the intern team. The intern will also participate in weekly operations such as cooking and delivering client meals for Athens residents experiencing food insecurity. Candidates should be collaborative with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a passion for positive community engagement. 


E-Mobility Intern 

Intern will join the Clean Energy and Climate Solutions team by advancing electric vehicles and fleet electrification within UGA’s Facilities Management Division. Strategies to transition to electric vehicles will include vehicle vetting and selection, charging infrastructure planning, managed charging, and the data systems required to plan and implement these new systems. E-mobility research also includes  policy, procurement and IRA funding opportunities. This position plays a leadership and support role to UGA’s Living Lab projects, the Presidential Interdisciplinary grant award for E-Mobility and other research/teaching opportunities that advance UGA’s Climate Solution initiatives.  Experience with spreadsheet skills, data analytics, and/or GIS encouraged. 


Urban Agriculture 

Intern will be responsible for planning, planting, maintaining, and leading volunteer workdays at the Geography Building Green Roof Garden, in collaboration with UGArden. Intern may also help to coordinate and lead the University Village Community Garden including coordination of garden plots, educational events for participants, and hands-on support as needed. Candidates should have gardening experience, strong leadership and organization skills, a willingness to work outdoors in various weather, and a passion for people and local food systems. 


Sustainability Metrics - STARS 

Intern will coordinate the collection of information and data to complete UGA’s triennial STARS assessment and report. STARS stands for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) and is a sustainability rating system used by members of AASHE, the Assocation for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. UGA has been a gold rated participant in STARS for 10 years. Candidates should have a strong background in campus sustainability programs, demonstrate strong leadership and initiative in coordinating with a large number of people from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, possess organizational skills and comfort with data, spreadsheets and analysis, and writing skills capable of reporting and promoting the story of UGA’s STARS performance. 

 


A group of students relax in canoes and kayaks on a lake.

Are you a campus or community partner that could benefit from a dedicated student intern?

Our Partnership for a Sustainable Athens provides meaningful support for campus and community partners working toward justice, sustainability, and resilience in the Athens area. Partners identify strategic priorities to advance their core mission.

LEARN ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

Current and past interns

A listing of current and past student interns can be found in the Interns Directory.

Internship Program Details

In addition to completing specific tasks related to individual internship positions, each student intern will complete the following required activities: 

Semester Kick-off

Team-building gathering and dinner during an afternoon/evening before semester classes begin.

Work Plan

An individual work plan will be completed by each intern by the end of the second week of the semester. This document will be revised periodically to track project goals and expectations. The Internship Coordinator and/or direct supervisor will assist development of individualized work plans.

Weekly Cohort Meetings

Interns are required to participate in weekly meetings with fellow interns, Office of Sustainability staff, and occasional guests. Meeting topics include project updates, team building and problem-solving, leadership and professional development, and public speaking opportunities. Interns should come to meetings prepared with updates, questions, and input.

Mid-Term Evaluation

Interns evaluate their experience to date in the program and supervisors evaluate intern performance. Intern meets with the Internship Coordinator and/or primary staff supervisor to discuss evaluations.

Final Presentations

At Semester in Review, which takes place on Reading Day, four to five interns will be selected to give oral presentations about their projects. All other interns will present a poster or other display of their project during the event.

Transition Document

Interns will document work completed, key contacts, and recommended next steps to help guide future interns or related projects.

Semester-End Interview

Interns will complete a survey and evaluation of the program and their internship experience.

The Internship Coordinator is responsible for managing the overall program to ensure successful outcomes for student interns and partnering organizations. The Internship Coordinator provides direct supprt to student interns throughout their particip[ation in the program. In addition, each intern will report directly to a supervisor who will guide the intern in completing specific projects and tasks. Office of Sustainability staff are available to support and advise students throughout their internship.

Interns typically spend 10 hours per week working on a specified project and assisting the Office of Sustainability and/or patnering organizations as needed.

Interns must notify their direct supervisor and the Internship Coordinator in advance of an absence. Attendance at the weekly All Intern Meeting is a required part of this internship and is included in the 10 working hours per week; please do not schedule doctor, dentist or other appointments during this time unless you are ill.

Paid interns are required to complete an I-9 Form through Facilities Management Division Human Resources to be onboarded into the UGA payroll system. Interns will be required to provide 1) a current resume with appropriate address, 2) a passport or picture ID and Social Security Card, and 3) a UGA ID number.

Interns are paid bi-weekly as hourly employees through the OneUSG Connect System. In order to be paid, student interns must directly input their hours into their timesheet. Interns are also responsible for ensuring that their bank information and emergency contacts are up to date. Employees, including student workers, can log on to check payroll and other information through OneUSG COnnect.

All interns are asked to assist with at least one Office of Sustainability event during the semester. Events and community service opportunities will be announced throughout the semester. Interns are encouraged to support their peers and to participate in service events while also maintaining personal health and academic success.

Some degree programs require an internship. Students are encouraged to initiate opportunities for relevant academic course credit through their college or school. To date, credit internships have been arranged through the Odum School of Ecology, College of Environment + Design, College of Public Health, Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communications, and others.