Conservation Careers
Early Career, Internships & Volunteering
Whether you are just out of high school, college, or looking for a change in your career path, figuring out how to get your foot in the door can be hard! It’s also a time where you might want to try some things out to see what you like and don’t like.
Internships and volunteering are both great options to learn more about the conservation world, meet potential employers, and get your feet wet. And Consortium partners are often happy to sit down with you for a career chat.
Check out the options below and get started!
This movement was founded to address a critical issue in the horticulture industry – the lack of enough qualified candidates for all of the open jobs across the art, science, technology and business of plants. Learn more »
Consortium Career Chats
Interested in a career related to buffers but aren’t sure what types of jobs are out there? Want to learn more about what professionals love about their work? Have questions about what it’s like to work in this field and how to best prepare?
Reach out to one of our Consortium Partners for a Career Chat!
This growing list of Consortium partners was created to support students, young professionals, and those looking to change careers. All partners on this list have noted they are open to holding 15-30 minute career chats with those interested!
How it works?
- Check out our list to identify a professional you want to connect with. Link below.
- Reach out via email to express your interest & schedule. See sample email below in toggle.
- Prepare for your chat. Come with 1-2 specific questions to help steer the conversation.
- Congratulate yourself for taking a step toward your career goals! Consider sending a thank you email. Explore our website for additional resources and information that may interest you. See you in the field or at Consortium events!
Participating Partners – browse the list »
Sample email – feel free to make it your own.
Subject: Consortium Career Chat
Message:
Hello Rachel,
My name is Devin, I’m a Junior at James Madison University studying Biology and am interested in scheduling a Consortium Career Chat. I’d like to build up my experience to apply for field work jobs when I graduate, and would appreciate the opportunity to learn about your experiences and any advice you may have.
My availability for this month is below, please let me know if there is a time that works best for you and if you’d like to meet via video call or phone. If you see a time that works, please go ahead and send an invite or let me know and I can send.
Availability:
- November 3rd: 1-2pm, 3-5pm
- November 6th: 9-11:30am
- November 18: 10:30-11am, 12-3pm
- November 19th: 9:30am-2pm
- November 30th: 2-4pm
Thank you for your time!
Internships & Fellowships
The James River Stewardship Program offers 12-week positions to support James River riparian buffer maintenance. Internships typically start in late May to late August and recruitment starts in February. More info »
The Virginia Department of Forestry offers paid summer internships each year. They have entry level jobs that do not require a forestry degree. Many have significant fire-response duties. Careers in Forestry brochure »
The Virginia Cooperative Extension, a Virginia Tech program, offers paid summer internships across the state, primarily in agriculture or 4-H youth development. More info »
The Student Conservation Association offers stipened internships across the country. Reach out to them directly and ask for advice on curating your profile to get matched with an opportunity that is right for you. More info »
The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates offer fellowships that can help if you are looking to get into a Masters program. More info »
The Appalachian Conservation Corps partners with land management agencies and organizations to accomplish critical conservation projects and offers internships and AmeriCorps positions . More info »
The Allegheny Mountain Institute offers tuition-free farm fellowships designed for individuals interested in rural agriculture and sustainable farming. More info »
Volunteering
The Virginia Master Naturalist Training runs intensive volunteer training courses that cover all kinds of ecology topics. Learn more »
Your city may have an active Tree Stewards group. Here are a few from around Virginia:
Join the James River Association and Chesapeake Bay Foundation to plant riparian buffers or become a Riparian Steward to help care for them. Volunteer information »
If you have a volunteer event to add to the Consortium calendar, please email event information to Rachel Bensink at rbensink@thejamesriver.org.
