A newsletter published by the
Macalester Environmental Studies Department
February 13, 2024
Any upcoming events, job opportunities, conferences, or other environmental news received by the ES Department are included in this newsletter. More information on the items listed in This Just In! can be received by contacting the ES Department. Current and archived issues.
In This Issue….
1. Young Professionals in Clean Energy Professional Development Event – February 15
2. Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
3. Macalester Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summer Programs
4. Off Campus Student Employment Positions
5. Internships with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
6. University of Florida Research Experiences for Undergraduates
7. Summer Field Courses with Ecosystem Field Studies
8. Summer Internships at Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Program
9. Geophysics Field Camp
10. Internships and Fellowships with Citizens’ Climate Lobby
11. Internships with Saint Paul Ramsey County Public Health
12. Volunteer for the State Science and Engineering Fair – March 22
13. Internships with Lowcountry Land Trust
14. Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation Scholarship
15. Job Openings with Center for Energy and Environment
16. Sixth Biennial Student Congress – October 7-10
17. Summer Job Positions at the University of Wisconsin Madison
18. Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake
1. Young Professionals in Clean Energy Professional Development Event – February 15
Join MnSEIA’s Young Professionals in Clean Energy on February 15, 2024, from 8-9:30 a.m. for the group’s first professional development event. The morning will include a presentation by Cynthia Bennett, Van Meter’s Strategic Marketing Manager, on the history of the Minnesota solar market from the perspective of an electrical distributor, with coffee, donuts, and a tour of the Van Meter facility. Registration Link
2. Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
Rochester Institute of Technology is offering a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program which emphasizes engaging students in interdisciplinary earth systems research that builds collaboration and communication skills for solving complex environmental problems. They will use wetland restoration as a lens through which participants will get hands-on experience in studying the interactions between science and society that shape ecosystem functions and services.
Projects will be grouped into interdisciplinary research clusters that include the following approaches: (i) biogeochemistry and ecology, (ii) sociological feedbacks, and (iii) geospatial patterns and scaling. This summer research experience centers around four key components (1) mentored research projects, (2) interdisciplinary skill development, (3) professional development workshops, and (4) scientific communication and outreach
Applications due February 15, 2024.
3. Macalester Entrepreneurship and Innovation Summer Programs
MacNest
The Summer MacNest program is our flagship summer internship program where students receive a $6,250 living stipend and 1 academic credit to work with Twin Cities early stage startups. Students will work 35 hours per week and attend weekly workshops to further their learning and experience. Students can apply with or without an internship at a startup.
Applications for both MacNest programs can be found on our website and are due Monday, March 4, 2024, at 9 am.
Come to one of our info sessions or office hours to learn more! All dates/times can be found on our website including the application which is OPEN!
Live It Fund, Zia & Priti Fund and MacStartups
Have an idea that could help build a better world? The Live It Fund and Zia & Priti Fund could be for you! The Live It Fund provides funding and support to any student who has identified a problem and has a proposed innovative solution. Projects can be completed locally, nationally or internationally. Zia & Priti Fund provides funding and support for international students who have identified a complex problem with a proposed innovative solution.
Or maybe you have a business idea you’d like to explore? MacStartups has you covered. MacStartups is an intensive program for students of any major or experience level to launch their ideas globally, nationally, locally or right here on campus. Students will have access to accomplished mentors who have founded successful ventures, and industry specific mentors
Both of these programs run for 10 weeks over the summer and provide a $6,250 living stipend plus $500 of per project expense reimbursement. Projects can be completed individually or in teams of up to 3 students.
Come to one of our info sessions or office hours to learn more! All dates/times can be found on our website including the application which is OPEN! Applications due Friday, March 8, 2024, at 9 am.
For more information on all of our programs, please visit the Entrepreneurship website for more details. All questions and inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
4. Off Campus Student Employments Positions
The application period for Off-Campus Student Employment (OCSE) positions for the 2024-25 academic year has started! Positions are open to all students (including international students) who have student employment as part of their financial aid package.
Gain valuable work experience and develop important professional skills at a partner site in a field in which you are interested (youth, health, immigration, environment, arts, community development, etc.).
Application deadline is noon on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
For more information about specific positions, the process, or if you have any questions, contact Derek at [email protected].
5. Internships with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has the following summer job openings (closing date of 2/23/2024 for all positions)
Student Worker (Water Quality & Flow)
Location: Detroit Lakes
Job ID 73584 – Student Worker
Student Worker (Brownfields Community Outreach and Engagement)
Location: St Paul
Job ID 73321- Student Worker
Student Worker (Petroleum Remediation)
Location: Duluth or St Paul
Job ID 73288- Student Worker
Student Worker (Closed Landfills)
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall
Job ID 73297- Student Worker
Student Worker (Superfund Team)
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall
Job ID 73285 – Student Worker
Student Worker (Petroleum Brownfields)
Closing Date: 2/24/2023
Job ID 73315 – Student Worker
6. University of North Florida Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Beginning in 2013, the University of North Florida became one of the newest host sites for the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program. The UNF REU Program offers paid research training experiences in Coastal Biology to 10 undergraduate students during a 10-week period from late May-late July. REU participants are paired with Coastal Biologists at UNF and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) and conduct mentored research projects related to their advisor’s expertise. Prior to this, students will complete a 1-week orientation on performing research in Coastal Biology to prepare them for their directed research projects. Students will also gain experience in science communication by presenting the results of their project at a departmental-wide research poster mini-symposium. Participants will attend research seminars and workshops on career skills in science. Students may also have the opportunity to present their research findings at professional conferences.
Students interested in applying to the 2024 UNF REU program can acquire information on the application procedure from the program website. The deadline for applications is March 19, 2024.
7. Summer Field Courses with Ecosystem Field Studies
Ecosystem Field Studies (EcoFS) courses are a valuable complement to students’ classroom knowledge and an excellent opportunity to practice scientific field research skills. The courses are accredited for 3 undergraduate semester credits by the University of Montana at Missoula, Environmental Studies Program (ENST 391) . Undergrads of any year in an ecosystem related departments/majors are welcome to apply. There is no set deadline to apply.
8. Summer Internships at Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Program
Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, located in Garrison, MN, is a non-profit organization committed to professionally rehabilitate wildlife, educate the community, and promote the conservation of the natural environment. They provide rescue, medicine, surgery and physical therapy leading to the release of wildlife into their natural habitat. They take in all kinds of animals from bald eagles to fawns and are one of the only rehabilitation centers in the state of Minnesota that accepts black bears. They are looking for 4-5 part-time interns to join us for the 2024 season (flexible; May-August).
Their summer interns are a vital part in ensuring that all of their animals are fed and cared for on a daily basis during their busy season. Each shift, interns will be tasked with providing animal care, instructing volunteers, cleaning and upkeep of the grounds, and some daily administrative duties under the supervision of the Wildlife Program Coordinator. This is a very labor intensive position, as you will be asked to lift boxes and bags of food, get up on step stools or down on the floor to clean cages, and help with maintenance around the grounds.
Please email resumes and 3 professional references, along with any questions to: Grace Frickenstein, Wildlife Program Coordinator, [email protected].
9. Summer Internships at Interstate Renewable Energy Council
Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) announces that applications for multiple paid summer internship opportunities are now open for college students and recent graduates. Join their team and contribute to efforts advancing renewable energy across the country. Internships are available in all departments, including:
All internships will take place from June through August 2024. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume. Internship applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until March 15, 2024, or until the positions are filled.
10. Geophysics Field Camp
Rutgers University-Newark, Dickinson College, and Towson University are hosting a 2-week long near surface geophysics field camp Oregon Ridge Park in Maryland for first- or second-year undergraduate students interested in the geosciences. Participants will work with graduate student mentors and experts in geophysics to use geophysical methods to study, probe and learn more about dynamic processes in the Earth’s critical zone. Participants will learn about careers in the geosciences and improve their science communication and computing skills.
Successful applicants will be paid a $1200 stipend. Student lodging and food will be in the Towson University dorms and are included.
The application is due in February 28, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified March 2024.
11. Internships with Saint Paul Ramsey County Public Health
Saint Paul Ramsey County Public Health Department has four internship opportunities across four different programs within the Environmental Health Division. The internships are in the following programs:
- Community Environmental Health-regulatory program the enforces rules related to food, pool and lodging requirements.
- Outreach and Engagement-connects with community relating to topics around waste and recycling.
- Administration-supports all of the work within Environmental Health including the licensing procedures related to the regulatory programs.
- Climate Response-leads the county work on response to climate change.
12. Volunteer for the State Science and Engineering Fair – March 22
The Minnesota Academy of Science needs you to evaluate research projects and provide feedback to young researchers at the State Science & Engineering Fair on Friday, March 22 from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the St Paul RiverCentre.
Not sure what a Science Fair judge does? Check out their FAQ’s.
Ready to sign up? Please create a judge account and continue with registration. Even undergraduate students can judge middle school projects!
Want to help but don’t want to be a judge? Fill out our event volunteer form. They are looking for people to help for 3-to 4-hour shifts.
13. Internships with Lowcountry Land Trust
Lowcountry Land Trust is excited to announce four paid summer internship opportunities for degree-seeking students who are passionate about land conservation and environmental protection.
- Land Stewardship Intern: This position will provide hands-on experience in the management and stewardship of conserved lands, including annual monitoring activities on private properties.
- GIS and Conservation Planning Intern: This role will support the land trust’s conservation planning efforts through GIS analysis and mapping.
- Communications and Outreach Intern: This internship will focus on increasing public awareness of the Lowcountry Land Trust’s mission and programs through various communications and outreach efforts.
- Nonprofit Operations Intern: This position will provide support to the day-to-day operations of the organization, including administrative and financial tasks.
These internships offer a unique opportunity for individuals to gain valuable experience in the field of land conservation while making a positive impact on the local community.
To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and three references in one PDF addressed to Ellen Blake, Operations Director, to [email protected] by March 5, 2024. Initial screening interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
14. Minnesota Waste Wise Foundation Scholarship
15. Job Openings with Center for Energy and Environment
The Center for Energy and Environment has these job openings:
- Program Support Specialist
- Program Development Engineering Intern
- Commercial Energy Efficiency Advisor
- Contracts Manager
- Commercial Construction Outreach Specialist
- Energy Counselor
- Energy Auditor
16. Sixth Biennial Student Congress – October 7-10
The Andrus Center, Public Lands Foundation, and National Association of Forest Service Retirees are recruiting students to participate in the Sixth Biennial Student Congress. They will invite and fund 25 exceptional undergraduate and graduate students from across the nation to convene in the vibrant Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 7-10, 2024.
This year, select college and university students from across the country will examine renewable energy development on public land through field work and policy discussions, culminating in a student-authored report that will be presented to the heads of Federal land management agencies, in Washington, DC. Students will explore issues such as: climate change as the catalyst for change, the drive to decarbonize, and public lands trends in energy production and transmission. About twenty-five students are able to attend. Those selected to attend will receive full funding for transportation to and accommodations in Las Vegas, Nevada. Expenses are covered by the generosity of donors, grant funding, and partners. If you have questions or want to discuss the John Freemuth Student Congress in more detail, please feel free to contact Lindsay Virgin, Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
17. Summer Job Positions at the Univ. of Wisconsin Madison
University of Wisconsin Madison has the following summer job openings:
- Agroecology and Landscape Ecology of Insects Field Assistant
- Plant Community Ecology Field/Lab Assistant
18. Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake
Handshake at Macalester is our career services platform.
Students: Handshake is preloaded with your basic profile data. Simply log in with your Macalester user id and password.
Read Getting Started with Handshake Guide for Students
The more you use Handshake, the better it works for you. Personalize your experience by filling out career interests and profile. As you choose opportunities and events that interest you, Handshake will learn to present you with opportunities best suited to your needs.
Any questions regarding this newsletter or to be removed from the mailing list, contact Ann Esson at [email protected].