Internships

Internships turn classroom learning into real-world experience. They allow students to test interests, build professional skills, and clarify career goals. They are also one of the most effective pathways to post-graduate employment.

We encourage every environmental studies and sciences (ESS) student to complete at least one internship during their time at Skidmore. Many students complete more than one. Internships can also carry academic credit, and Skidmore provides competitive funding for unpaid summer opportunities.

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Internships for credit

Students may earn academic credit for internships through the Office of Academic Advising.

Credit-bearing internships require:

• An on-site supervisor who oversees the professional experience
• A faculty sponsor who provides the academic framework

Internships for credit must have a clear academic focus. The faculty sponsor assigns work that matches the number of credits earned and the internship level (ES 299 or ES 399). The academic component ensures that students reflect on and analyze their experience — not just participate in it.

Funding opportunities for summer internships

Skidmore offers several competitive summer funding programs, including support through the ESS Program.

Funding may apply to:

• Internships
• Volunteer positions
• Research experiences
• Community service projects
• Apprenticeships

Learn about the Summer Experience Fund 

Learn about The Soil Inventory Project (TSIP) Internship

Fields of interest

Internship opportunities are extensive and continually evolving. ESS students pursue work across a wide range of fields.

Many opportunities are available in Saratoga Springs and the surrounding region. Students interested in working closer to home during the summer can often identify similar organizations in their local communities.

Common fields include:

• Agriculture, food, and farming
• Conservation
• Education and outdoor leadership
• Energy
• GIS, planning, and development
• Government and public policy
• Research
• Sustainability
• Water and soil quality

Alumni resources

ESS alumni work in diverse sectors and serve as valuable mentors and professional connections for current students.

Students can also connect with alumni and learn about opportunities through:

• The Skidmore Environmental Studies and Sciences LinkedIn group
• The Environmental Studies and Sciences at Skidmore College Facebook group
• The Environmental Studies and Sciences at Skidmore College Instagram account

These networks regularly share job postings, graduate assistantships, and internship opportunities.