EarthLab Summer Internship Program
“I would recommend the EarthLab internship program to anybody interested. The breadth of perspective, hands-on learning, guest speakers, diversity, is something I have never experienced before in other professional endeavors. This program was uplifting, stimulating, challenging, and truly gave me insight on the kind of learner and team-member I am. ” – 2024 Student Intern
At EarthLab, we recognize that developing an equitable, just, and sustainable future requires imaginative, resourceful, and diverse perspectives and opportunities so that everyone can see themselves as part of the solution. The EarthLab Summer Internship Program is a robust, cohort-based internship program for UW undergraduate students to explore new approaches to problem-solving, communication, and training at the intersection of climate and social justice.
Undergraduate interns will be placed within EarthLab’s member and partner organizations for a 9-week paid internship. The professional internship experience will be enhanced by the cohort model and the mentorship provided by the site supervisor. A final showcase with 5-minute presentations from each intern will be held at the conclusion of the internships. Students from all majors and UW campuses are encouraged to apply.
Interns will receive a paid stipend plus a one-time $180 commuting stipend which can be used to activate a UPass for summer quarter. See position descriptions for expected time commitment and total stipend amount for each internship. These internships are not eligible for benefits.
Key components of the program include:
Environmental and Climate Justice: Building and expanding foundational knowledge around the ways that our changing environment disproportionally impacts people and communities.
Cohort-Based Peer Learning: Weekly opportunity to share a meal, connect with, and learn from other students in the program from different majors and lived experiences.
Career Development: Training and mentoring the next generation of climate leaders through internship placements, networking, and skill development.
Cohort Activities
Since we recognize that this may be a student’s first time working professionally and on challenging environmental and social issues, EarthLab interns will participate in the program as a cohort of individuals going through parallel experiences while growing together. Through this model, we hope that undergraduate students from across disciplines and campuses will engage with and learn from each other. They will benefit from the observations, experiences and reflections of other internship experiences and coach each other, as well as be provided with mentorship and guidance over the course of their internship.
EarthLab will host a variety of required cohort activities, up to five paid hours per week, that may include training sessions on career development, discussions of issues related to climate change and social justice and other activities to support growth, development, and peer learning.
For more information on how to apply, click here.
Student Eligibility
Undergraduate students from all UW schools and colleges are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program at a UW campus (Seattle, Tacoma or Bothell) as of Spring Quarter 2025.
Questions? Visit our FAQ page here.
“This was one of the most supportive environments I have ever worked in! The cohort meetings gave interns an opportunity to get together every week and have that sense of community despite our differing positions. This alone is why I would recommend others to apply next year, however, it’s not the only great thing about it! Regardless of what my position description entailed, I was able to really make this internship my own which was awesome!” – 2022 Student Intern
Questions:
Please contact earthlab@uw.edu with questions regarding this internship program.
EarthLab Contact:
