The Nature Conservancy

Science Data Technician

September 2023 • San Antonio, TX

What I liked

I love the flexibility of the job, and the work is very interesting and fun. The company is also incredible and aligns really well with my values and career goals

What I wish was different

Advice

Have fun learning about conservation in Texas!

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Biology Research Intern

June - August 2022 • Leola, SD

What I liked

I loved having the opportunity to partake in research that most other students may have passed up, being put in a completely different environment from what I am used to, learning different skills that I would not have even thought of learning if I hadn't taken this opportunity, and being able to get very close to a herd of one of America's more elusive and respected creatures.

What I wish was different

I wish that there had been more people that had volunteered to work on this research from Gustavus.

Advice

My advice would be that if you are interested in doing this research, do it. It is great field experience to have and you will be working with one of the world's biggest global environmental organizations. Also I highly recommend being prepared to do a lot of work during the day that requires physical labor as well as being able to apply your knowledge of the environment around you.

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Science Intern

June - August 2021 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I loved the opportunity to work with real data and see what analysis looks like. I also appreciated the look into what field work could look like in different types of ecology.

What I wish was different

While I understand why it wasn’t, I really wish that this was in person. There definitely would have been more to gain had I been working right next to someone and able to ask questions as they came up.

Advice

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Climate Policy Intern

May - July 2020 • Arlington County, VA

What I liked

The people were all very nice and I was really interested in the work my team did. It was the international climate policy team so we dealt with stuff like the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

What I wish was different

It was difficult doing this as an online internship. I actually didn't have too much work to do since I wasn't at the office in person, so I feel like I could have learned more if I was there.

Advice

The Nature Conservancy is a pretty collaborative organization. My supervisors were very open and didn't have too many tasks set for me to do. You can really make it into whatever you'd like it to be, but be prepared for a big learning curve and lots of acronyms being thrown around.

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Marketing & Communications Intern

May - October 2020 • Newmarket, NH

What I liked

Everyone was so helpful and encouraging and helped me make the most of the summer.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Prescribed Fire Crew Member

May - June 2019 • McLeod, ND

What I liked

I had a great experience building my skill set for my future career. I worked with good people and was given the opportunity to develop new skills and work on leadership.

What I wish was different

Honestly not much.

Advice

Being far away from everyone you know and they placed you are comfortable is hard. You will question your abilities and you will feel alone at times. But in the end you will grow a lot and feel more confident in yourself as an individual.

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Field Intern

June - August 2019 • Enterprise, OR

What I liked

All of TNCs employees are really kind and each has an interest in a different area of conservation. There were a lot of things to learn and I think the work that is being done is important and can be applied to other places in the future.

What I wish was different

I do wish I had a little bit of plant biology knowledge, but it wasn’t a hindrance that I didn’t have any.

Advice

The town of enterprise is very small, and out in the field it will be in a small group or sometimes by yourself so to do this internship you should be able to function alone and be okay with the isolation of a small rural town.

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Anna Beal Intern

May - August 2019 • Letts, IA

What I liked

This internship was a mobile one in which my crew, a small group of 6 people, traveled the state of Iowa. We spent the summer learning entry-level job skills for the field of conservation and land stewardship, some of these skills being chainsawing, fencing, herbicide application, and prescribed burn experience. As someone not originally from Iowa, I was given the opportunity to learn all about the state in which I now live. I also developed a massive amount of native and nonnative plant identification skills.

What I wish was different

I wish we had gotten more experience chainsawing and more plant ID, specifically Latin nomenclature.

Advice

Be open to new friends much unlike yourself and new experiences that separate you from all prior job experiences.

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Marine Team Intern

June - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I was working on an interesting and impactful project (about shellfish aquaculture) that had big implications for the future.

What I wish was different

My position was relatively undefined, and I sometimes had to press my supervisors about what else I could do.

Advice

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Youth Program and Alumni Assistant GLOBE Intern

June - November 2018 • Arlington County, VA

What I liked

The GLOBE program at The Nature Conservancy was such an amazing experience! There were many professional developments trainings, networking events, and the opportunity to work on real projects!

What I wish was different

Advice

Do not be afraid to get involved, there are lots of events and people willing to help you learn more, so just go for it!

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Stewardship Assistant

June - August 2018 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

The job offered a variety of work in different environments in Colorado so that I always looked forward to what came next.

What I wish was different

I thoroughly enjoyed the Stewardship Assistant job I had during the summer, but I wish the job was longer.

Advice

On the weekends, really get out and explore the area around the preserve.

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Forest Stewardship Crewmember

May - August 2018 • Marquette, MI

What I liked

I liked having the opportunity to work with an organization that is in my field of study of Environmental Science. I loved working outside every day on various different stewardship projects and that there was variety in the type of work we did.

What I wish was different

I wish this could have been a permanent full-time position instead of just seasonal.

Advice

Keep track of the projects you do and what skills that entails knowing! It can be great to put on a resume having experience with GIS, mapping, other software or surveys.

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Conservation Intern

June - August 2018 • Island Park, ID

What I liked

Working out on the ranch, and doing relaxing/meditative labor.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have received more practical skills for the real world.

Advice

I loved being out in nature so much. It was quite a worthwhile experience and would highly recommend that more students at W&L consider the Knight Internship as a way to enjoy their summer.

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Central Florida Preserve GLOBE Intern

June - August 2018 • Kissimmee, FL

What I liked

I was able to conduct work to spread the love of nature and also had the chance to conduct fieldwork

What I wish was different

Advice

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Coastal Restoration Science Technician Assistant

June - August 2018 • Providence, RI

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

I would advise to be open-minded and ready to tackle new challenges and experiences. Also, to take a minute every day and think about the importance of the project.

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