Sustainability Interns
Learn on the job while making real change on campus!
Part of our work at the UNH Sustainability Institute is to advance sustainability in how the UNH campus is operated, which allows us to uphold our values of supporting healthy ecosystems, communities, and economies. Another part of our work is to support students in getting real-world experience in solving sustainability challenges. Sustainability Internships blend that work!
These part-time, paid student positions play a critical role in supporting UNH’s efforts to be more sustainable. Interns work alongside dedicated professionals during the academic year to on specific projects, like supporting pollinators and our waterways, encouraging sustainable energy use, and reducing waste on campus. They also encourage awareness and individual action among their peers. Interns learn about the complexities of making change and supporting sustainability outcomes in a large organization, which is a valuable job skill in all sectors and industries.
The application for 2026-27 academic year is open!
Apply by April 13, 2026
Questions? Contact Jennifer Ray.
FAQs, Expectations, Application Instructions
As an intern, you’ll:
- Receive mentorship: work with campus professionals
- Make an impact: work on projects like reducing waste, supporting pollinators and ecosystems, sustainable energy use, and student outreach and engagement, and others.
- Gain professional experience: a resume booster!
- Build your campus community
Interns work closely with a supervisor to complete specific projects and tasks. They also work with other interns and meet as a cohort to support and educate one another, brainstorm, and build community. All projects help advance some aspect of sustainability at UNH – so you’ll be making a vital, direct, and lasting impact!
All interns are expected to:
- Meet with your supervisor once per week to review tasks and goals, get advice and support, tap into your interests and skills, and problem solve/trouble shoot as needed.
- Meet with the intern cohort every other week to workshop different projects, focus on professional skill development, and build connection and community.
- Deliver assigned tasks weekly (between 5-8 hours per week is expected, which includes your weekly meeting with your supervisor).
- Deliver a mid-year poster presentation (at a fun, celebratory showcase!). You’ll explain your project, its goals, potential, or realized outcomes and impact for UNH and our community.
- Work closely with campus and community partners to collaborate on sustainability projects
The 2026-27 academic year application is due April 13, 2026.
Review the topics below and choose up to 2 when applying. See the "How Do I Apply?" dropdown for instructions on how to apply and where to indicate your two preferred topics.
Community Building
Interns may support community building on campus in several ways, such as curating our weekly student email newsletter and running monthly sustainability cafes, helping to bring students into the community and making it stronger. They may also coordinate networks such as Sustainability Advocates, a residential hall peer education program that empowers students to become active participants in creating sustainable change on campus, or support our campus food pantry, Cats’ Cupboard.
Ecosystems
Advance healthy campus ecosystems! For example, interns may focus on native plants, pollinator protection, or stormwater systems. Collaborating with key partners including UNH Utilities and Facilities ensures effective environmental protection efforts and raises visibility and awareness among peers.
Sustainable Energy
Support efforts to protect and enhance ecosystems across the UNH campus! Interns may support UNH’s decarbonization and climate leadership efforts, or our Cat Trax bike share program.
Zero Waste
Waste encompasses a great deal on a campus of our size! Interns may work on projects such as Trash 2 Treasure, which reduces waste on campus by collecting gently used items during spring move-out and reselling them in the fall during move-in weekend. Interns may also assess and help reduce electronic waste (e-waste) or food waste on campus – helping us to know where we need to improve and move the needle on reducing our campus waste!
Thank you for your interest in being a Sustainability Institute Intern!
Questions? Contact Jennifer Ray.
Because you'll be working on UNH campus sustainability projects, we ask that you apply for the internship so we can understand your experience, interests, and make the best matches. After you apply, we'll reach out to schedule a meeting with you to get to know you better, and then we will make the matches and notify you if you are selected for an internship.
Application instructions
Before applying, please be sure to read all the FAQs above so you understand what is expected of interns and what kinds of projects you might be working on.
When completing the online application, please read all instructions carefully! Here's what you can expect:
- In the first section of the online application form, you’ll complete information about yourself (contact info, major, grad year, etc.)
- Be sure to select “Sustainability Institute Internship” when asked “What program are you applying for?”
- In the next section, you will be asked some additional questions, and then asked to download the “Additional Application Materials Document”. This document has questions about your interest, goals. and involvement on campus. It will also ask you to please choose up to two (2) topics in which you are interested and rank them in order of preference. Please read the topic descriptions carefully so you can choose two aligned with your interests and skills.
- After downloading, you will type your answers in the document and save the file as a Word document or a PDF.
- Name your document as follows: First Name_Last Name_Intern
- Then, you will upload your saved document back to the online form where asked to do so, and complete the remainder of the online form. Be sure to hit the "Submit" button to complete your application.
- We will contact you by email to schedule a conversation.
- Apply by April 13, 2026.
