Environmental Internships

What do environmental interns do?

Environmental internships are so diverse, and no two days will be the same. One day you could be working on sustainable projects that create change, to testing soil quality the next. You could even find yourself dolphin watching from a boat or taking care of injured sea turtles. Your job is all about making the world a cleaner and safer place for all living things. Some of your responsibilities could include:

• Fieldwork and research. You’ll collect environmental samples, conduct wildlife surveys, monitor ecosystems, track climate data and spend time outdoors making observations

• Laboratory analysis. Your tasks will include testing water and soil samples, analysing data, running experiments and using scientific equipment to measure environmental impacts

• Policy and reporting. You’ll research environmental policies, write reports and briefs, create presentations and contribute to documents that’ll make a difference

• Conservation work. You’ll support habitat restoration projects, help endangered species, work within local communities and get involved with biodiversity initiatives

• Sustainability projects. You’ll help businesses with their sustainability strategies, work out carbon footprints and promote renewable energy.

Why should you do an internship?

You’ve probably heard us say how great internships are, but how great? These are some of the benefits of doing one:

• Try out a role. Internships are a taste into what your career could be, so they can go a long way in helping decide if a career is right for you

• Put theory into practice. Classroom learning is great, but an internships gives you the chance to do it in real life

• Gain experience. You’ll learn on the job and gain the professional knowledge emmployers love

• Try out a role. Internships are a taste into what your career could be, so they can go a long way in helping decide if a career is right for you

• Earn a salary. You’ll be paid for your time (find out how much later on).

There’s so much more to know about internships; you can read more below.

Do you need a degree for environmental internships?

Most environmental internships are aimed at university students, but you don't always need to be studying environmental science. Geography, biology, chemistry, engineering and related subjects all open the doors to a career in environmental sciences.

What if you have an unrelated degree?

There’s still a place for you! Whether you study film, marketing or software engineering, you’ve got a whole bunch of transferable skills that employers are looking for.

You could become a videographer working on climate campaigns, a marketer promoting sustainable products or helping to make brands more green, or using AI to help detect extreme weather or natural disasters before they hit. 

What types of environmental internships are there?

You can find environmental internships across loads of different sectors. There's something for everyone, whether you love being outdoors, working in labs, or tackling policy challenges. Here's a breakdown of what’s available:

• Ecology. Ecologists study how living things interact with their habitats and analyse ecosystem changes. You'll work on biodiversity projects and present findings to scientists and policymakers

• Marine Biology. You’ll research life in oceans and coastal areas by studying marine species, the impact of pollution, plus conducting ecosystem health experiments

• Geology. Geologists explore the Earth's physical and chemical processes. You'll gather samples, measure seismic activity, and help organisations understand environmental hazards.

• Hydrology. You’ll work on sustainable water management by collecting samples, dealing with contamination issues and developing strategies for flooding and irrigation.

• Environmental law. You’ll assist in handling legal matters around clean air, water and emissions. You'll work on cases protecting natural land and wildlife rights.

• Conservation. You’ll work on directly protecting wildlife and habitats by monitoring species, supporting restoration projects and engaging with local communities on initiatives.

• Renewable Energy. You’ll be supporting the shift to clean energy. You'll work on solar, wind or other renewable projects, helping with everything from installation to sustainability consulting.

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to work for Arcadis? Here’s what this intern said about their time there:

I loved the whole of my internship, and it has helped me to understand what I would like to do in my future career. I have been given so many opportunities over the 10 weeks of my internship, which have fulfilled my expectations of Arcadis as well as environmental consultancy. It has been well worth my time over the summer, and I have enjoyed every aspect of it and always been excited to see what the day brings. Geo-Environmental Intern, Arcadis

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a lab assistant? Here’s what one intern said about their time at Manchester Metropolitan University:

I enjoyed my internship a lot as I learnt many things that I wouldn't usually do during regular laboratory sessions, and was given more independence to decide what I should do and how I should do it. Laboratory Research Assistant, Manchester Metropolitan University

What skills do you need for environmental internships?

Internships are all about learning, so most employers aren’t going to expect you to know everything right away, especially when it comes to some of the technical skills. When it comes to soft skills, you have loads. Here are some of the skills employers are looking for:

• Research and analytical thinking

• Communication (written and verbal)

• Presentation skills

• Teamwork

• Time management

• Problem-solving

• Attention to detail

• Adaptability.

Even if you don’t have all the technical skills, it always helps to have an understanding of what some of those are:

• Understanding of environmental science principles

• Laboratory techniques

• Field survey methods

• Data analysis.

Employers also want to know that you’re passionate about the environment, so getting involved in any side quests outside of lecture time is always a good idea. You could join a society, volunteer at environmental agencies and charities or get involved in your local community.  

How much do environmental interns earn?

It all depends on the type of internship and where you're based. On average, an environmental intern earns between £23,000 and £26,000 pro rata. Internships in London and other major cities usually pay more than those in smaller towns.

There's plenty of progression once you've qualified, too. As a graduate, you could start anywhere between £23,000 and £30,000 per year, depending on which sector you choose. Consultancies and renewable energy typically pay more than conservation charities.

The more experience you gain, the more you'll earn, with salaries reaching £60,000+ per year for senior environmental roles.

How to apply

Like most internships, employers start searching for their summer interns between September and January, with some of the more popular schemes filling up quickly. So, it’s a good idea to get your applications in asap. Some schemes might start looking closer to the summer months, too.

You’ll need a CV and cover letter (always make sure you tailor them to each internship you apply for). If those impress, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre where you’ll take part in group tasks, psychometric tests and a final interview. 

Getting ready to apply? Check out our application toolkit. It’s super handy and FREE.