Student Research & Internships

The Jackson School is unique in its organization because students may research and work in any of our three units:  the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, the Bureau of Economic Geology, and the Institute for Geophysics.  Professional internships in the geosciences can be obtained in a variety of ways from networking events to on-campus recruiting. Gaining research and/ or an internship experience will add to your resume and your workforce readiness in the sciences. Conducting a search for a research position or an internship takes patience and persistence, so start it as early as possible and make a stop at career services for assistance.

Research

Students at the Jackson School are encouraged to participate in research, as students will learn new skills, explore new opportunities, enhance your education, and well as prepare you for future careers. There are a variety of ways to get involved in research, both within and outside the Jackson School.

Research opportunities

• Jackson School of Geosciences research postings
• Reach out to experts for research opportunities at the Jackson School
• Undergrad and Grad Internship Opportunities
• REU Research Experience for Undergraduates-National Science Foundation
• RESESS Internships-Research Experiences in Solid Earth Science for Students
• USIP Internships-Student Careers Internship Program
• ORISE Research Opportunities with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• The University of Nebraska REU Summer Research Programs 

U.S. Government & Research Laboratories

• USAJOBS for EPA, USGS and other federal government agencies
• RESESS (Research Experiences in Solid Earth Science for Students)
• CIRES (Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences)
• Department of Energy Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program
• Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships
• National Energy Technology Laboratory Professional Internship Program
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory Higher Education Research Experiences
• University of Colorado SMART Program (Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training)
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Summer Student Fellowship

What are Internships?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) provides the following internship definition and criteria:
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. Please also see the U.S. Department of Labor website.

• Internship Outcomes:
  • Student Perspective
  • Students put their academic learning into practice
  • Increased professional skills
  • Build professional network
  • Enhanced ability to recognize preferences and abilities and match them with appropriate career-related choices

NACE Seven Criteria for Internships

1. The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform
2. The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
3. The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
4. There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
5. There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
6. There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
7. There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.

Internship Fund

Students who have secured an unpaid internship position can receive financial help through Texas Career Engagement’s Internship Fund. This gives UT students access to funding to encourage internship participation. Additionally, the internship fund was created to reduce financial barriers and increase access to internships for all UT students.

Popular Jackson School Internships

• The Mickey Leland Environmental Internship 
• Student Conservation Association 
• Texas Water Development Board 
• The Railroad Commission of Texas
• Scientists-in-Parks
• GeoCorps America
• Pathways For Students & Recent Graduates to Federal Careers 
• Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
• National Renewable Energy Lab Research Participant Program
• American Geosciences Institute Internships and Fellowships 
• International Internships:
  • Texas Global

General Job Boards for Early-Careers and Experienced Professionals

• Simply Hired (numerous GEO-related jobs & internships)
• Handshake
• WayUp 
• GSA Geoscience Job Board
• AGI Geoscience Job Board
• AWG Geoscience Job Board
• AGU Career Center

Additional Earth Science and Geoscience Organizations