GeoInterns

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus will start the new Geo-Internships program on January 2010, a unique effort aimed to increase the diversity in the geosciences by exposing Environmental Sciences and Geography majors from UPR-RP to real-life professional experiences as complements to their academic development.i This project will allow students to develop semester-long projects in different work settings at environmental-related institutions in Puerto Rico.These experiences will be enriched through one-to-one mentoring with geosciences faculty and by student participation in existing environmental seminar series and in peer mentor training programs. Students will also be encouraged to apply to summer research internships at The University of Vermont and at The University of Colorado-Boulder. At the end of their Geo-Internships Project experience, about 30 undergraduate students are expected to have a more realistic view of their potential as future geosciences professionals. Of these, those that will opt to continue graduate studies in the geosciences will be tracked.

Who qualifies?

Undergraduate students in their Junior year or more that wish to have a professional experience before graduating.The students must be regular students at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Pierdas campus admitted or in the admission process into the Environmental Sciences Program at the Environmental Sciences Faculty or the Geography Program at the Social Sciences Faculty.

What are the requirements?

  • Have a general grade point average of 3.0 or more.
  • Be available to work up to 40 hours a week in a professional and recognized organization or agency outside of the University.
  • Have easy access to transportation to the workplace.
  • Register in the Interns Course at the Natural Sciences Faculty, which allows students to continue being regular students at the University while being a Geo-Intern.

What are the benefits?

  • Pay per hour according to the minimum federal salary.
  • Paid registration for the Intership Course.
  • Possible reference letters for future jobs.
  • Field work experience in environmental science and geography to include in your resume.
  • Possibility to apply for a scholarship to participate in a summer internship at the STREAMS Project in the University of Vermont

For more information please contact Gisela Porras at the Environmental Sciences Program at (787)764-0000 x-2550 or Jorge R. Ortiz-Zayas at extension 2850.