School of Earth, Environment and Society

Internships & Experience

Experience is central to a SEES education. Whether you complete an internship with a community partner, assist with faculty research, conduct fieldwork, or pursue a thesis or honors project, these opportunities allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world challenges.

Internships

Internships provide direct experience in professional settings while helping you clarify career interests and build you résumé. 

Internships may be:

  • For academic credit, with a faculty advisor and defined learning objectives
  • Non-credit, arranged independently to gain professional experience

Common internship hosts include federal, state, and local agencies; nonprofits; environmental councils; and private consulting firms.

How to Get Started

  • Meet with your advisor to discuss timing and credit options
  • Use PSU Career Center resources to search for opportunities
  • Begin outreach early — many organizations recruit in advance
  • For credit, work with your faculty advisor to develop an internship plan

Research

You can engage in research in a variety of ways, including:

  • Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), where students work collaboratively to address real research questions with unknown outcomes
  • Joining a faculty research lab and contributing to ongoing projects
  • Assisting graduate students or faculty with fieldwork, data collection, or laboratory analysis
  • Participating in a summer field camp or field school
  • Developing an independent research project under the mentorship of a faculty member for credit
  • Completing a thesis through your major or University Honors College, involving original research and a formal presentation of findings

How to Get Started

  • Talk with your professors or graduate teaching assistants about current projects, lab openings, or upcoming research opportunities
  • Review faculty research areas and reach out to introduce yourself and express interest
  • Meet with your advisor to discuss research credit options, thesis pathways, or honors options
SEES Research Impact Areas about this content