Intern with the Climate Resilience Network
The Climate Resilience Network offers paid summer internships mentored by UMD climate scientists to work on projects that meaningfully support our region in addressing the societal impacts of climate change. As an intern, you’ll work on impactful projects based on both your specific interests and the needs of the Climate Resilience Network. By the end of the summer, interns will be well-equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to make a meaningful difference in our community’s response to climate challenges.
This program is aimed at Undergraduates and High School seniors. The application window is typically open from March to May.
Why intern with Climate Resilience Network?
- Learn how earth science is done in practice
- Use your skills to make an impact on real communities in Maryland
- Network with fellow interns and scientists with diverse research interests, all in service of creating resilient communities in Maryland
- Strengthen research, collaboration, and public speaking skills
- Make your resume stand out
- Earn money for the summer
Possible research topics and tasks
- Determine the weather and soil conditions that lead to sewer overflows
- Study of methane in well waters across Maryland to document sources of methane in groundwater in an effort to determine whether it is of fossil or microbial origin
- Create educational materials about climate/environmental science for secondary students
- Study intensified storm and drought patterns and their effects on Maryland agriculture
- Measure impacts of sea level rise on wetland health
- Install Mesonet weather stations throughout the state of Maryland
- Develop a dashboard for stakeholders to access flood data
- Deploy sensors as part of the University of Maryland campus Micronet,
- Programan automated alert system for extreme weather conditions
- Create new data visualization tools
Interested in Weather Prediction and Modeling?
Climate Resilience Network collaborator Maryland Mesonet isa joint project between UMD Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management. The Maryland Mesonet offers paid summer internships mentored by UMD climate scientists to work on projects that meaningfully support our region in addressing the societal impacts of climate change. Mesonet permits students to pursue their own research topic according to their interests using their experiences during the summer. The internship is targeted toward Undergraduate students. The application window is typically open from March to May.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the CRN internship?
Undergraduates (not only from UMD), rising seniors, and recent high school graduates are eligible to apply to the program.
What is the selection process?
- Future interns submit their application.
- Resumes are compiled and shared with potential mentors.
- Mentors may reach out to applicants for an interview or for further explanation of your skills and interests.
- Mentors select an intern. Once selections are made, Education Innovation Coordinator Jennifer Collins will send official notification of your offer.
- University of Maryland HR sends onboarding instructions to selected interns.
What is the internship report?
At the end of the summer, interns write a report discussing their research findings and what they gained from their experience. Interns then share their report in a short presentation to their peers and mentors using a 1-slide “poster” presentation.
Why is there a report? Communicating the results of your study is a critical part of science, and opens the door for collaboration opportunities, discussion of applications, and receiving helpful feedback.
