Sustainability Internship Program
Offering hands-on learning experiences for University of Illinois at Chicago undergraduate students that advance the overall mission of greater social, economic, and environmental sustainability in the campus community.
This unique, multi-year program provides an intellectual framework for students to apply classroom learning to project-based engagement. Since summer 2014 we have connected over 200 students to sustainability projects on UIC's campus.
Open to UIC undergraduate students only, students from fields of engineering, architecture, urban studies, public health, nursing, and liberal arts and sciences, have completed the program. Students have been placed in internships across the campus, in units such as Campus Housing, Dining Services, the Children’s Center, Capital Programs, Campus Utilities, Facilities Management, Civil Engineering, the Center for Literacy, the Energy Initiative, Gallery 400, UI Hospital, and the School of Dentistry, as well as outside partners such as The Field Museum and the One Earth Film Festival. Projects vary from waste reduction initiatives and community outreach, to data research and water conservation, and much more.
Summer 2023 Internship Opportunities Include:
Greenhouse gas emissions tracking and analysis, communications and social media, transportation system development, carbon offset procurement, gardening, compostable waste education and disposal, environmental history research, vermiculture waste education and research, prairie habitat monitoring, energy efficiency promotion, food scrap recovery, and more!
The Students Heading link
About the SIP Program Heading link
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What is SIP?
The Sustainability Internship Program (SIP) is a multi-year program that starts with a for-credit (US/PUBH 390) spring course. SIP offers an internship placement at a UIC department or affiliated organization, weekly seminars, and field outings that cover a range of educational and skill building topics, leadership development and project management experience.
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What are the Seminars?
Seminar topics include environmental, cultural, and energy sustainability issues, institutional challenges and change management, campus structure and administration, campus sustainability programs, and job readiness.
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Intern Expectations
Interns are expected to develop a work plan and project goals, meet regularly with an experienced mentor, share experiences with other SIP interns, attend weekly seminars and outings, and present their project results at a virtual poster presentation.
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Spring Internship Program
The spring internship is a for-credit class held during the semester (US/PUBH390); in addition to a weekly 1.25 hour seminar, students are required to commit approximately eight (8) hour a week to their assigned internship.
Although the course is cross listed in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs and the School of Public Health, all majors are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Successful completion of the spring internship program guarantees undergraduate students an internship in the paid summer 2023 program!
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Summer Internship Program
The 2023 summer program runs May 30 – August 4. In addition to approximately 20 hours a week working on your internship, you are required to attend a weekly seminar on Wednesdays, 10:00-12:00.
Successful completion of the summer program guarantees registered, undergraduate students continued employment with the UIC Sustainability office as a student mentor for future cohorts!
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How to Apply
Applications for Summer 2023 are now open. Please apply through Handshake or by sending a resume and cover letter to Christopher Anderson at canders8@uic.edu. Applications are due by March 3.
Internships will be updated regularly; check this Box folder often for updated internship positions.
