Internships are a vital part of experiential learning in Drake University’s Environmental Science and Sustainability program, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in hands-on professional settings while exploring career paths and building practical skills. ENSS students pursue diverse opportunities in education, research, and community engagement—leading nature education programs, conducting environmental research, and supporting conservation initiatives through communications and event planning. The student experiences featured below highlight how internships foster professional growth, confidence, and meaningful connections between academic study and real-world impact.
Student Testimonials
Katie Das – Summer 2023
My name is Katie Das (she/her) and I was a naturalist intern this summer and last at the Kane County Forest Preserve located in Illinois! I spent the days doing nature education with children by taking them on guided hikes, explaining ecosystem services, and educating about plant species identification and the importance of complex ecosystems to our environment! I also led a capstone project all about moths and their integral role in our ecosystem!
Olivia Nole – Summer 2023
This past summer (2023), I had the privilege to intern with the UC Davis Lake Tahoe Environmental Research Center in the chemistry department! I learned valuable skills in water and nutrient analyses and furthered my knowledge of environmental issues, both scientific and political, within the Lake Tahoe watershed. I was also able to conduct an independent research project on the mortality of Asian clams, a pervasive invasive species in the area, when exposed to hydrogen peroxide.
Anna Snyder – Fall 2023-Spring 2024
Through the Jay N. Darling institute, I have had the opportunity to intern at Madison County Conservation. There I work in communications and events planning for their upcoming Cultivating Connections initiative. I cultivated professional skills in stakeholder engagement and marketing and learned a ton about native plants and ecosystems.