Training the next generation of sustainability leaders
Utilizing campus as a living-learning lab, our internship program enlists students as researchers in investigating important questions facing our campus and as practitioners in implementing measures to advance campus sustainability. Co-mentored by staff in operations and faculty members, students conduct research and develop programming that aligns with IU's commitment to sustainability.
Applications are open now and will be accepted until October 8, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Postion descriptions and application links can be found below.
The internship experience
Receive mentorship
Interns are mentored by a designated Sustain IU staff member. Additionally, for certain internship topic areas, interns will receive mentorship from staff in operations and faculty members. A strong mentorship connection opens students to the knowledge gained from decades of experience and affords interns the chance to develop professional and networking skills.
Work independently
With guidance from their mentor(s), students will complete much of their internship work independently, whether in the E-House or elsewhere. Self-motivated students will thrive in this environment. Interns work 20 hours/week in the summerand around 12-15 hours/week during the academic year.
Develop connections
Interns participate in a weekly seminar designed to provide a background in sustainability and a forum for collaborating. By engaging with the full intern cohort in the seminar and in field trips, interns will forge connections with peers with common interests.
Connecting students for a greater impact
Interns are high achieving and actively involved students who hail from all academic departments, and serve in various capacities to sustain IU. The heart of our internship is to give students opportunities to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real world, whether on or off campus. Using the campus as a learning lab, our students lead change in the areas of transportation, energy, food, recycling, and more.
Internship position descriptions and application links
Applications are open now and will be accepted until October 8, 2023 at 11:59 PM.
The Scope 3 Intern will develop a deep understanding of reporting greenhouse gas emissions associated with IU’s value chain (Scope 3). The Scope 3 Intern will lead the data analysis required for IU to strategically approach the new frontier of Scope 3 reporting. The Scope 3 Intern will act as the primary Secretary for the IU Scope 3 Working Group, formed as a result of the Climate Action Plan (CAP).
The Scope 3 Intern will collaborate with campus partners, primarily in operations, to assess and close data gaps required for improved Scope 3 reporting. From these partnerships, the Scope 3 Intern will recommend which categories are most feasible for IU to report and develop best practices for future reporting.
The Sustainable Waste Management Intern assists with waste reduction and diversion efforts, including launching and coordinating programs, developing education and outreach campaigns, data analysis and tracking. This individual will focus on improving waste diversion infrastructure across IU campuses which may include inventorying and updating waste bins, signage, implementing composting in dining halls, and other waste-related initiatives.
The Sustainable Athletics Intern will be responsible for helping to develop internal sustainable athletics practices. This intern will work closely with Athletics operations staff, patrons of IU athletic events, and users of athletic facilities to create guidelines for and implement more sustainable athletics practices and research new ways to reduce the environmental impact of athletic events. This intern will gain hands on experience in project management, program development, collaboration, communication, and more.
The Sustainable Labs Intern will be responsible for helping develop internal sustainable lab programs for Indiana University laboratories. This intern will work closely with lab managers, faculty, operations staff, and EHS to create guidelines for more sustainable lab practices and research new ways to reduce the environmental impact of laboratories. This intern will gain hands on experience in project management, program development, collaboration, communication, and more.
The Sustainable Energy Intern assists with energy conservation and efficiency efforts on their respective campus, including launching and coordinating programs, developing education and outreach campaigns, data analysis and tracking, as guided by the Climate Action Plan. This intern will work closely with building occupants and operations staff to support responsible energy consumption and research new ways to reduce the environmental impact of IU’s built environment and activities. This intern will gain hands on experience in project management, program development, collaboration, communication, and more.
Sustainable Food Systems Interns, working with campus dining partners, will play a critical role in strengthening sustainable, healthy, and ethically-sound food system initiatives across IU. Interns conduct product research (via AASHE STARS and sustainable procurement frameworks), evaluate changes in purchasing data, and contribute to campus sustainability reporting. This extends to supporting IU’s procurement evaluation, sourcing strategy, and vendor relationship initiatives. Students will also highlight and increase awareness of food producer, waste, insecurity, nutrition, and local campus / community resources to the university community. This includes student engagement across retail, dining hall, catering, and other food service spaces. Interns will have opportunities to inform IU community members on sustainable dining practices and both inform decision making and implement changes towards sustainable food system best practices at Indiana University.
Sustainable Housing Interns, working with campus residential program partners, will play a critical role in strengthening sustainable, low waste, and accessible residential sustainability initiatives across IU. Interns are responsible for developing collaborative projects, coordinating planning efforts, and executing programming across a variety waste and energy reduction topics. Outreach programming will cover on-campus residential spaces, including Living-Learning Centers, and work closely with RHA leadership and Residence Life staff. This includes student engagement across existing communications platforms used in campus living spaces and events, as well as targeted efforts at key times during the year such as breaks and move-out. Students will also track and organize data related to engagement programs and create descriptions for campus reporting / data needs. Interns will have opportunities to inform IU community members on sustainable residential practices and both inform decision making and implement changes towards sustainable housing best practices at Indiana University.
Sustainable Transportation Interns, working with campus transportation demand management (TDM), parking, bus, and fleet partners, will play a critical role in strengthening sustainable, safe, and accessible transportation system initiatives across IU. Interns support ongoing and new campus data tracking (via AASHE STARS and IU Climate Action frameworks), evaluate changes in commuting / fleet data, and contribute to campus sustainability reporting. This may extend to engaging with Bike Friendly University requirements, inventorying campus infrastructure, vehicle usage, parking patterns, and other relevant areas. Students will also showcase and increase awareness of active transportation resources, bike & pedestrian safety, and commuter programs to the university community. This includes campus engagement across major events / breaks, parking, campus bus, intercampus travel, and/or web resources. Interns will have opportunities to inform IU community members on sustainable practices and both inform decision making and implement changes towards sustainable transportation system best practices at Indiana University.
This position is currently filled.
Internship eligibility
Interns work 10-20 hours/week and enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment including collaboration with fellow team members, staff, and partners around campus. This helps us connect Hoosiers to the environment and each other, fostering a commitment to service, cultivating relationships, and connecting to broader sustainability initiatives. Interns are compensated for their time at a rate of $13/hr for undergraduate students and $15/hr for graduate students. Applicants must be full-time students at Indiana University Bloomington, with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
