Internships - Ecology and Environmental Studies

Gain Meaningful Work Experience

Earn required credits towards your degree with an internship

Landon in the swamp Because the fields of Environmental Studies, Marine Science, and Environmental Geology can lead to many different career paths, it is important that every student identify a field of interest and create a plan to gain the right skills, experiences, and credentials to enter that field. FGCU Environmental Studies BA students are required to complete an Internship in a field related to the Environmental Studies degree. Marine Science BS and Environmental Geology BS Students have the option to complete an internship or senior research. Students are expected to engage in work that is supervised by an Internship Supervisor who must have demonstrable expertise in the internship area.

Internship courses and information:

EVR 4940 Internship in Environmental Studies (3 credits) (BA Environmental Studies students)
ISC 4940 Internship in Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences (3 credits) (BS Environmental Geology students; BS Marine Science students)

General information
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- Requires 135 hours of responsible work.
- Can be paid or unpaid.
- Must be an environmental, geological, or marine-focused internship, but can be through a private company, government, or non-profit, etc.
- Must be completed prior to the last day of the semester you are registered for the course, but can be done before you register. E.g.: Internship in the summer, register for ISC/EVR 4940 in the Fall.
- Instructor signature required to register: Dr. Molly Nation for Spring, Fall and Summer.
- Students are responsible for finding their own internships. Internships are not assigned by the instructor.
- Discuss the Internship details with Dr. Nation via meeting (WH 210), email (mnation@fgcu.edu), or phone (239) 590-7242.
Intern Responsibilities
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- Agreement Packet
- Competencies Attachment
- 135 hours
- Completion of the EVR/ISC 4940 course
Internship Supervisor Responsibilities
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An internship is a short-term, mutually beneficial relationship between a student and an employer. It is not a clerical position but, rather, one in which students gain experience in the field of study. Employers offer students productive and meaningful work assignments with a learning components related to a specific major. We seek supervisors who are committed to enhancing a student’s education by utilizing their skills in a professional work setting. Through this experience, students gain meaningful work experience and have option to earn funds to support their education while also getting academic credit.
Academic Requirements
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Required course for Environmental Studies: EVR 4940 3 credit hours
Restricted Electives for Environmental Geology/Marine Science Students: Select one of the following:
- ISC 4910 Sr. Proj Rsch Intrdisc Nat Sci (3) or
- ISC 4940 Internship in Interdis Nat Sci (3)
Internship Application Forms
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Please schedule an appointment with your Natural Sciences Advising Team member to receive an editable Internship forms for EVR 4940 or ISC 4940. All forms will be sent to students via their eagle address by their advisor.

Contact Advising
Helpful Links
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Environmental Studies Canvas Community Page

Eagle Career Link

NAAEE Jobs

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Job Board

Society for Conservation Biology Job Board

Ecological Society of America jobs & opportunities

Ornithology Exchange

Student Conservation Association (SCA)

Additional Information

Possible Careers
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Aquarium or Zoo Scientist

Sustainability Manager/Director for Business/Corporations

Science Camp Director

National/Sate/Local Park Ranger

Federal Employee

Forest Service

Bureau of Land Management

Department of Agriculture

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

National Park Service

Community Planning and Development

Park, Outdoor & Garden Program Scientist

Citizen Science Program Coordinator

State Employee

Department of Environmental Protection

Department of Health

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Guide or Naturalist

Ecotourism Director

Science Communications Specialist

Museum or Planetarium Director

Public Education Program Developer/Writer

Botanical Gardens Manager

Theme Park Science Manager
Local Partner Organizations
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Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Mound House

Lover’s Key State Park

Estero Bay Preserve

Rookery Bay

Naples Zoo

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Lee County School District

Collier County Schools

Lee County Parks & Recreation Department

Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve

Naples Botanical Garden

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Mote Marine Laboratory

Mosquito Control District

C.R.E.W. Land & Water Trust

Florida Aquarium

Sanibel Sea School

IMAG History and Science Center

Conservation 20/20

Delnor-Wiggins State Park

Goodland Beach Park

National Park Services
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intenship students