Monthly Newsletter

A newsletter published by the
Macalester Environmental Studies Department

December 12, 2024

Any upcoming events, job opportunities, conferences, or other environmental news received by the ES Department are included in this newsletter. More information on the items listed in This Just In! can be received by contacting the ES Department. Current and archived issues.

In This Issue….

1.  Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship
2.  Summer Internship Program
3.  MN DNR Scholarship
4.  MPCA Student Worker Jobs for Summer 2025
5.  Summer Courses at Flatland Lake Bio Station in Montana
6.  Job Openings with Center for Energy and Environment
7.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

1.  Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship

Macalester is a member institution of Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest academic honorary society in the US. As a result, Macalester students are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes a mentorship/training program. The Society is now accepting online applications for their Key into Public Service scholarship. The program connects undergraduate arts and sciences majors with pathways into local, state, and federal government service. The Society will select 20 successful applicants who will receive $5,000 academic scholarships and will participate in an educational conference experience in Washington, D.C., that will provide them with training, mentoring, and resources on pathways into public service careers. 

Characteristics of ideal recipients include intellectual curiosity, breadth and depth in arts and sciences coursework, leadership propensity, and service to others. Interested students can learn more and apply online until January 21, 2025. 

2.  Summer Internship Program

The Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates (SLAWR REU) is now accepting applications!

A community-centered and Tribally focused summer research internship program, SLAWR REU explores the interactions between physical, natural, and social processes through the weaving of Indigenous knowledge with Western knowledge to advance scientific understanding and support Tribal management decisions. We encourage applications from students of all genders who are Native American, Tribal college students, community college students, non-traditional students, veterans, students who have been historically under-represented in their discipline, and students who are first-generation college students. For more information visit: https://reuslawr.org/apply-to-the-reu-slawr-2025/

Applications are due February 2, 2025. Email [email protected] with questions.

3.  MN DNR Internship

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Center for Aquatic Mollusk Programs (CAMP) specializes in native freshwater mussel conservation. They propagate native freshwater mussels at our lab in Lake City, MN, with the goal of reintroducing them into streams and rivers in Minnesota and restoring their populations in their historic range. They also use scuba to monitor existing populations of mussels across the state of Minnesota. Both their propagation lab and their field team have internship positions available for students pursuing a degree in biology or other fields related to the environment (ecology, GIS, etc.). 

This internship has the potential to be an independent study for students and it is incredibly fun and educational! Interns will also learn about mussel propagation strategies, mussel and fish identification, factors that are threatening mussel populations, and practicing safe scuba diving in unique diving conditions. Their lab often works with other state and national agencies, and there are many opportunities for interns to network and get a foot-in-the-door in the world of conservation. Many of their past interns have pursued higher education related to mussels or go on to work in natural resource conservation.

The application for the internship opens January 2, 2025, and closes January 31, 2025. Interested candidates can apply by searching the word “mussel” on the Minnesota State Jobs website: State of Minnesota Search for Jobs.

4.  MPCA Student Worker Jobs for Summer 2025

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has just posted all their summer seasonal student worker positions – for field crew work out monitoring streams – for summer 2025. You can check them out by going to the State of Minnesota Careers site and search MPCA and seasonal positions.

5.  Summer Courses at Flatland Lake Bio Station in Montana

The online application portal for the Flatland Lake Bio Station of the University of Montana Summer Session 2025 is now open! Bio Station summer courses are field based and experiential. Students spend the summer gaining hands-on ecological experience in the beautiful outdoors of Northwest Montana. This is a fantastic opportunity for college students (undergraduates and graduates) to learn something new or grow their knowledge. This experience helps student be more competitive for internships and the post college workforce.

How to Apply

• Visit their website at: flbs.umt.edu/education and make an account.
• Complete all sections of the online application including a Medical History Form and Transcripts.
• Submit your application before February 2, 2025, for a $100 discount.

6.  Jobs Openings with Center for Energy and Environment

The Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) has a number of job openings. As a certified Top Workplace, CEE is dedicated to creating a carbon-neutral economy that works for all people. Consider joining them in this vision! CEE offers flexible working locations from remote to hybrid, unless otherwise specified in the detailed job description.

7.  Jobs and Internships Listed on Handshake

Handshake at Macalester is our career services platform.

Students:  Handshake is preloaded with your basic profile data. Simply log in with your Macalester user id and password.

Read Getting Started with Handshake Guide for Students

The more you use Handshake, the better it works for you. Personalize your experience by filling out career interests and profile. As you choose opportunities and events that interest you, Handshake will learn to present you with opportunities best suited to your needs.

Any questions regarding this newsletter or to be removed from the mailing list, contact Ann Esson at [email protected].