Campus Pre-Professional Experiences  

If you are unable to find a paid internship, research experience, or part-time natural resources job right away, don’t give up. You can get additional experience on campus. Get to know faculty, graduate students, and staff. Go to office hours. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to be interested and enthusiastic. If you’re intimidated by face-to-face contact with a total stranger, give them a call or send them an email first. Scan through faculty websites and talk to teaching assistants and advisors to find out who is doing the kind of work that interests you. Then talk to those professors or graduate students to find out if they could use a volunteer on their research project. Again, it gets your foot in the door and is valuable experience.  

If you wish to earn academic credit for this experience, independent study (RNR 299, 399 and 499) or directed research (RNR 292, 392, or 492) units are for students working directly with university faculty either on or off campus. To enroll, fill out the independent study/directed research proposal form with your project advisor. Once the paperwork is completed and signed, send it to your academic advisor and they will add you to the course.

Online Resources to Find Internships & Jobs 

Undergraduate Biology Research Program: This program provides paid opportunities for students to participate in self-directed biological related research in a lab with a faculty mentor. Student projects involve inquiry, design, investigation, research, scholarship, discovery, and the presentation of experimental results. Program benefits include research training and acquiring the tools needed to be successful in post-graduate studies in biology through:

  • A full-time summer research apprenticeship, with the option to continue in the project part-time during the academic year
  • Weekly professional development sessions
  • Presentation of experimental results at the annual research program conference
  • Optional field trips, community service opportunities, and social events

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium: The Graduate College sponsors a consortium of eight summer undergraduate research opportunities that are collectively known as Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium (UROC). The application for UROC can be accessed  here  and the deadline is Feb. 1. The website offers brief descriptions of each program and eligibility criteria vary, so please read carefully. Program benefits include excellent research training and graduate school preparation through: 

  • An intensive 10-week research experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor 
  • Professional development and graduate admission workshops 
  • A free professional GRE workshop and encouragement to take the GRE during UROC 
  • Social opportunities and a support network of like-minded peers 
  • Poster session, oral presentation, and abstract writing. 
  • Financial support includes 6 units of research credit for summer research and a $4000 stipend. 

 

Cover letter, resume, and interview skills help

Both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Student Engagement and Career Development (SECD) Offices have cover letter and resume help. CALES Career Center- make an appointment in CatCloud with a student services specialist to go over your resume and cover letter-- and practice your interview skills!  SECD-- they have a drop box so that you can upload your docs, they review and provide feedback. Click here to go to their site. For interview practice, see this page. For additional support, LifeLab can help you get started.

Links to Internship & Jobs Listings

Climate Change

Consulting Firms

 General Natural Resources Jobs and Internships

Government Agencies

Marine or Freshwater focus

Non-Profits and Non-Governmental Organizations

Paid Graduate School Opportunities

Professional Societies

Relevant Federal Job Series and their requirements

      ** Entry level with a federal agency for applicants with a BS degree is generally at the GS 5 level, but education and experience can be combined to elevate your qualifications. Some agencies such as APHIS will hire    applicants with a BS degree at the GS 7 level.

Research Experience

UA Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Collaborative and specifically Undergraduate Research Programs for UA Students and External Opportunities.

Ask our faculty!  You can view their research interests here.

Zoos and Aquariums