I. Environmental Policy, Communication, And Research Internships

1. Policy and Communication Internship 

  • The program is focused on increasing the green canopy in Los Angeles via planning tree planting in the City, including in lower income neighborhoods.
  • Interns work on independent projects such as writing social media content, or conducting research on how to reach out to various low canopy neighborhoods.
  • This program can give interns opportunities to connect with city employees and officials working in the green sector.

2. Policy, Research, and Communication Internship* – currently unavailable

  • A non-profit organization focused on local climate policy issues that is situated in LACI, an office hub of local environmental organizations.
  • Interns assist in research, outreach, and communication regarding climate adaptation in Los Angeles and beyond.
  • Interns also organize one or two major events with participants from multiple environmental NGOs.

 * Available only for 4 units.

3. Policy, Research, and Communication Internship 

  • A non-profit organization focused on efforts to restore and protect the Los Angeles River.
  • Interns assist in research, outreach, and communication tasks.
  • Assignments may include conducting project-specific research, supporting the planning and execution of events, and generating social media content.

4-6. Water Retrofitting Program Internships 

  • A non-profit organization focused on efforts to increase water retrofitting and green infrastructure in Los Angeles.
  • Intern work includes independent projects, participation in the organization annual reporting, and social media.

Positions:

  1. Public Research Internship
  2. Community Engagement Internship
  3. Public Relations and Social Media Internship

II. Environmental Science Internships

1-6. USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies 

1. USC San Pedro Ocean Time-series

  • Interns organize, process, and analyze 16+ years of oceanographic data and potentially help collect oceanographic data on research cruises (if student is able to fit a one-day cruise into her/his schedule).

2. Catalina Conservancy Diver Data Set

  • Interns synthesize 20+ years of biological data from different sites at Catalina Island.

3. Grant writing assistant 

  • Interns conduct research for proposals and assist in writing grants.

4. Science Writer/Communications

  • Interns work on USC’s campus to help the Wrigley Institute with social media, newsletters, blogs.

5. Outreach and Education Coordinator

  • Interns work on USC’s campus to help coordinate education and outreach events on campus and in Catalina.

6. Aquaponics intern

  • Interns work primarly off campus in area schools to assist with maintenance of aquaponics systems in the neighborhood, conduct water quality assessments, develop and execute education and outreach activities.

7. Water Program Research and Communication Internship

  • An organization focused on researching and protecting the health of the Los Angeles River watershed.
  • Interns assist with projects related to regional watershed and stream assessment, water quality monitoring, as wells as other as-assigned tasks.
  • Interns engage in interaction with the Program Manager and gain practical experience in watershed monitoring, assessment methods, and data analysis.

8. Water Program GIS Internship – currently unavailable

  • Interns work closely with our GIS team in support of mapping and analysis projects related to water resources in the Los Angels region.
  • Duties include compiling diverse data and supporting analysis and reporting of results. Interns will help produce critical data that will have an influence on water resource policy. 

9-10. Science Internship, Natural History Museum – currently unavailable

  • The Natural History Museum is the repository for 35 million specimens, some dating back 4.5 billion years. The Museum’s Marine Invertebrate Collections include about 1.6 million lots, second only to the Smithsonian.
  • An important goal of the NHM Marine Biodiversity Center is connecting the historical collections with changes that are occurring in the marine environment today.

Positions:

  1. Position 1: Interns assist in the digitization of one of the largest Marine Invertebrate Collection in the country.
  2. Position 2: Interns prepare specimens for long-term storage, capturing data into databases, associating specimen data with specimens, and incorporating specimens into the collections is an ongoing endeavor.

III. Environmental Justice, Education, Natural Resources Management, and Sustainability

1. Environmental Education Internship (2 or 4 units)

  • A non-profit organization that enables undeserved youth and others to visit and develop an appreciation for our natural environment.
  • Interns gain experience in teaching, curriculum design, and social science research.
  • The position will help prepare interns for graduate school in environmental science, environmental studies, education, or other related fields as well as careers in environmental management, environmental education, or non-profits.

2. Environmental Science and Education Internship

  • A non-profit organization working to protect and restore the Ballona Wetlands, support scientific research, and educate the public as nature advocates and stewards.
  • Interns are involved with public education on the Ballona Wetlands, and help facilitate and lead public tours and restoration efforts.
  • Interns assist with other projects that may include conducting research or organizing special events.

3. Sustainable Gardening Internship

  • A local grassroots nonprofit that installs school gardens and teaches weekly garden classes across Los Angeles County.
  • Interns have the opportunity to participate in sustainable gardening as well as aide in teaching science, sustainability, gardening and nutrition to young, enthusiastic children.
  • While the experiences are flexible based on the intern’s interest, tasks may include planting, weeding, working with students one-on-one, co-teaching lessons, and garden snack prep.

4. Composting Education Internship

  • A grassroots organization focused on food waste diversion through composting and education on the connections between people, food, and soil.
  • The organization currently has 8 community compost hubs throughout L.A. county, including one site on campus, and one hub at the Natural History Museum.
  • The internship offers hands on experience involving composting, site organization tasks, education, and events opportunities.

5. Environmental Services Internship, Koreatown Youth & Community Center

  • The Korean Youth and Community Center (KYCC) is a community organization that supports inspired community actions to achieve meaningful and sustainable environmental change.
  • Intern positions with KYCC Environmental Services offer hands-on experience working closely with KYCC’s Community Engagement Coordinator and Tree Planting staff.
  • Interns have the opportunity to work alongside experienced arborists and staff, participate in neighborhood canvasing on tree planting, and assist with tree planting events and organizational work.