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Internships and Jobs

The School of Environmental Sustainability connects students with internships that provide valuable hands-on experience in the environmental field. We partner with premier Chicago-area organizations to offer opportunities beyond the university. 

Current SES Internship Openings

SES Searle Biodiesel Lab Internship, Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

The School of Environmental Sustainability’s Biodiesel Program is seeking qualified student interns to operate the Biodiesel Program in the Searle Biodiesel Lab. This paid internship opportunity is open to students of every level and from every discipline. Interns work in a team capacity to run the lab’s day-to-day operations (biodiesel production, oil collection, waste processing). Interns also take leadership roles on projects in the lab (new product development, education outreach, marketing, energy efficiency). Interns will have opportunities to work in chemistry, product design, business operations, marketing, and research.

Application deadline: September 2, 2024 

Learn more: Biodiesel Internship 2024-2025 Academic Year

Apply online here.

Office of Sustainability Internship, Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

The Office of Sustainability seeks qualified student interns to contribute to Loyola’s campus sustainability programs. Sustainability reaches into many corners of the University and involves partnership building to set strategies and goals to create a sustainability culture through action. Interns will work in a team capacity (Student Sustainability Engagement team or Sustainable Materials Management team) with each other and staff to support data collection, conduct outreach, and have a leadership role with events and projects related to waste reduction, transportation, energy, and other campus sustainability initiatives. 

Application deadline: August 8, 2024 

Learn more and apply: Office of Sustainability Internships 2024-2025

Current SES Internships with External Organizations

SES partners with external organizations to offer internships on a per-semester basis. Job descriptions and schedules vary based on the needs of the host sites. Selected students will commit to working with host sites for a minimum of 10 hours per week, at a rate of $16.20 per hour, for up to a maximum of 140 hours ($2,268.00) for the internship duration. (Wages may vary slightly based on state minimum wage rate increases). The internship is funded by Loyola University (hours are logged in KRONOS), and the total number of weekly hours for all Loyola positions combined cannot exceed 19.5 hours. Please note: Students can apply for multiple positions but can only hold one external internship position at a time.

To apply, students must submit a one-page resume including relevant courses and experiences and a cover letter outlining how this internship could help them advance their goals and enrich their Loyola experience. Send materials to Karen Schauwecker at kschauwecker@luc.edu by 11 pm on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Note the following instructions: 

  • Please combine the resume and cover letter into one PDF document before submitting it.
  • Name the document “last name_first name_name of organization.”
  • If you are applying for multiple sites, please submit separate applications.
  • Email the materials to uwekschauwecker@luc.edu using the subject line “External Internship application materials.”

Applications will be shared with the host organizations, and their staff members will contact students regarding interviews. Selections will be determined before the start of the fall semester and all applicants will be notified. Please email kschauwecker@luc.edu with any questions.

Positions available for fall semester, 2024:

Chicago Council on Science and Technology Internship, Fall 2024

Chicago Council on Science and Technology is a non-profit organization in Chicago that provides science and sustainability programs throughout neighborhoods in Chicago. This SES internship at C2ST will provide a student with skills in science communication, marketing, event planning and promotion, volunteer organization, and general community outreach. The intern will also develop science communication content for the C2ST website and social media channels. The internship position at C2ST is mostly virtual, with some in-person components. 

Job description: C2ST Internship-Fall 2024

Environmental Law and Policy Center Internship, Fall 2024

Policy and science interns assist ELPC’s senior policy advocates, policy advocates, and data scientists. Tasks include promoting environmentally sustainable transportation policies and programs, advancing global warming solutions, and grassroots advocacy. Interns may also attend meetings with local, state, and federal agencies, elected officials, and concerned citizens. 

Job description: ELPC Internship-Fall 2024

Institute of Cultural Affairs Internship, Fall 2024

The Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) has a 10-year vision to catalyze the Uptown community of Chicago to become carbon free by 2035. For the Fall 2024 internship, the ICA would like an intern willing to assist with fundraising for future environmental staff and programs.

Job description: Institute of Cultural Affairs Internship-Fall 2024

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Collections Internship, Fall 2024

Under the supervision of Collections staff, the intern will assist with processing botanical specimens into the herbarium, with a focus on scanning specimens, updating catalogue records in Arctos, and collection reorganization. Other duties may include preservation repairs to herbarium specimens, cataloguing, or documentation research. The intern will complete one blog post about their internship experience to share with museum audiences.

Job description: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Collection Internship-Fall2024

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Conservation Biology/Animal Husbandry Internship, Fall 2024

This internship involves working with animals in the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (PNNM) conservation programs, such as Blanding’s turtles and smooth green snakes, as well as all animals in the Living Collections, including snakes, amphibians, fish, box turtles and aquatic turtles, birds, and invertebrates. Activities will include feeding, cleaning, and handling. 

Job description: Nature Museum Conservation and Animal Husbandry Internship Fall 2024

WasteNot Compost Internship, Fall 2024

WasteNot Compost invites SES students to join their internship program to learn more about the commercial composting industry. 

Job description: WasteNot Internship-Fall 2024

Additional SES Internships

SES Lab Assistant

The School of Environmental Sustainability is seeking a qualified undergraduate student assistant to contribute to the mission of the SES through the maintenance of research and teaching labs. This position will work closely with the SES Analytical Lab Manager on cleaning and organizing the labs, maintaining inventories, preparing solutions, etc. 

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

SES Communications Internship

Two internship positions will support communications efforts for Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability. Key focuses of the position are writing, social media, and website content management. Depending on the interests and skills of individual interns, activities may also include graphic design or video production.

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

 

SES Program Assistant (Graduate Student)

The School of Environmental Sustainability is seeking a qualified graduate student to join the team as a program assistant to contribute to the mission of the SES through the implementation of special projects and events. This position will work closely with the SES Director of Strategy and Planning on the implementation of special projects and events, including the annual Climate Change Conference/Symposium, the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge, curricular mapping, strategic planning, and other projects as needed. 

Apply by sending your resume/CV and a cover letter describing your interest in the position, including the contact information for two references, to shokenmaier@luc.edu

Application Deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

SES Urban Agriculture Internship

Internships in the SES Urban Agriculture program provide an entry-level, hands-on learning experience in agricultural production and food systems for LUC students. Student Interns will develop skills and knowledge in aquaponics food production and maintenance, hydroponics systems, outdoor food production using organic methods, mushroom cultivation, sales and distribution in local markets, data collection and analysis, pest management practices, plant health and soil fertility, and more.

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

SES Urban Agriculture Team Leader

Team Leaders support the Urban Agriculture program goals and lead small teams of students in the maintenance and operations of the aquaponics and hydroponics systems, Greenhouse Lab, mycology lab, farmers market, plant sales, and outdoor food production. Team leaders will be assigned management-level responsibilities in these areas with reporting requirements and weekly meetings. This position is aimed at LUC students with previous experience in food production, current SES sood systems and sustainable sgriculture (FSSA) majors, graduate program students, and third and fourth year undergraduate students. 

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

Office of Sustainability Graduate Internship - Communications and Engagement

The Office of Sustainability is seeking qualified student interns to contribute to Loyola’s campus sustainability programs. Sustainability reaches into many corners of the University and involves partnership building to set strategies and goals in creating a culture of sustainability through action. The graduate intern position will work closely with Office of Sustainability staff as well as the larger undergraduate intern team to develop communications materials, conduct outreach, and have a leadership role with events and projects related to waste reduction, transportation, energy, and other campus sustainability initiatives. 

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

Office of Sustainability Graduate Internship

The Office of Sustainability is seeking qualified student interns to contribute to Loyola’s campus sustainability programs. Sustainability reaches into many corners of the University and involves partnership building to set strategies and goals in creating a culture of sustainability through action. The graduate intern position will work closely with Office of Sustainability staff as well as the larger undergraduate intern team to collect and analyze campus sustainability data, conduct research, and have a leadership role with events and projects related to waste reduction, transportation, energy, and other campus sustainability initiatives. 

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

Healing Earth Internship

The Healing Earth (HE) Student Worker supports the HE team in administration, organization, research, outreach, communication, translations (if applicable), and miscellaneous tasks that are associated with the Healing Earth project. Healing Earth is a free, online environmental science textbook for upper-level secondary school students, beginning college students, and adult learners. 

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

Delta Institute Internship

The Delta Institute is a nonprofit organization formed in 1998 that works in partnership with business, government and communities in the Great Lakes region to create and implement innovative, market-driven solutions. Delta works to build environmental resilience, economic vitality, and healthy communities. You can learn more about the Delta Institute at www.delta-institute.org.

Depending on the specifics of the individual intern, interns provide a variety of different services in areas like writing and content development for social media and web platforms, and providing support for events, fundraising initiatives, and project communications. Delta values the diverse perspectives our interns bring to our work, and interns are invited to our staff meetings and any relevant project meetings during their internship.

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings. 

Glenwood Sunday Market Internship

Three Glenwood Market internship positions will be available for the Summer/Fall 2023 semesters with the Rogers Park Business Alliance. Internship start date is June 1 and the end date is October 28, 10-15 hours per week, at a rate of $15 per hour. Students can take the internship for Experiential Learning/Internship credit (ENVS 395).

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

Stein Learning Garden Internship

A fall semester 2023 internship is available at Stein Learning Gardens, located at 7840 Sout Racine in Chicago. The student will work at least 10 hours per week, at a rate of $16 per hour, for up to 140 hours ($2,240) for the internship duration. The student can take the internship for experiential learning/internship credit. 

The intern will play a crucial role in supporting the organization's mission by assisting with community engagement and helping to plan educational programming. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in urban farming, environmental education, and community development while positively impacting the community. 

Application deadline: Closed. Check back for future openings.

External Internships

These opportunities are not managed by SES, and can be found on Handshake.