Early in the semester each student, with the help of program faculty, makes contact with a local conservation or research organization to set up an internship that takes place during the last month of the program. Conservation internships provide the opportunity for students to apply the background they have received in the ecology, environment, culture and language of Ecuador to work on current conservation or applied research projects. Internships are supervised by staff members of Ecuadorian organizations, providing for a mutually-beneficial cultural exchange, the potential for acquiring useful job skills, and a chance to become familiar with careers in conservation and associated organizations.
Students are not expected to develop their own project, but to assist where needed and as requested by their supervisor. In certain cases, you may assist in designing a project or develop an independent project that in some way contributes to the organization’s broader goals. The only requirement we have is that all projects must include an outdoor component. You will produce a written report summarizing your internship activities, including description of broader project goals, how your participation contributed, and suggested actions to advance the program. Samples of written materials produced during the internship, such as training manuals or environmental education pamphlets should be included in the report; these materials will make an excellent contribution to your portfolio that you might submit for future job applications. After the internship, you’ll make a short oral presentation, in standard format suitable for professional meetings, to the entire class, which in turn will provide feedback on presentation quality, clarity and completeness.