Gain valuable work experience, apply your classroom knowledge to real-world situations, build your professional network and earn college credit (and maybe even a paycheck). That’s the value of an internship. The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning encourages students to seek out and participate in internships.
Finding an internship requires preparation and commitment, so if you'd like to do an internship, plan to begin your search about two to four months before you hope to be an intern. Many students arrange internships independently by contacting organizations where they have an interest in interning. You can also get started by reviewing the list of current geography, GIS, and urban planning internships below. Also read more about finding an internship and earning credit for an internship.
If you’re not ready for an internship but you would like to gain experience and build up your resume, then consider utilizing volunteering as work experience.
Do you want to earn academic credit for an internship? Read the Internship Credit Application page for more information. Experimental learning opportunities that are shared on this website and/or in SGSUP affliated newsletters are not automatically approved for enrollment into the SGSUP internship course due to the internship course has its own enrollment requirements and deadlines.
Are you looking for employment opportunites? Check out the SGSUP Employment Opportunites for weekly updates of full-time, part-time, seasonal, and/or temporary employment opportunities!
Out-of-State Students: Many of the opportunities posted on this page are related to Arizona. However, out-of-state students are encouraged to utilize this page as a guide for searching relatable titles and companies in their local area. Create your ASU Handshake profile to find opportunities near you!
| Application Link | Employer | Job Location | Apply Date | Position Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Summer 2022) Drainage/Water Resources Intern | WSP | Tempe, AZ | Internship | ||
| Sustainable Agricultural Water Futures Intern | Lincoln Institute of Land Policy-Babbitt Center | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) | ||
| Native American Water and Land Intern | Lincoln Institute of Land Policy-Babbitt Center | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) GIS Clean Energy Internship | Apex Clean Energy | Charlottesville, VA / Potentially Remote | Internship (Paid) | ||
| Cartographic Technical Project Assistant | USFS | Remote | Internship (Paid) | ||
| Geospatial Data Integration and Management Project Assistant | USFS | Remote | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) NASA DEVELOP Internship Program | NASA | Tempe, AZ or Remote (Depends on project) | Internship | ||
| (Summer 2022) GIS Platform Intern | National Geographic | Washington, DC | Internship | ||
| (Summer 2022) Geospatial Education Intern | National Geographic | Washington, DC | Internship | ||
| (Summer 2022) GIS & Mapping Intern | National Geographic | Washington, DC | Internship | ||
| (Summer 2022) GIS Intern | TRC Companies | Remote | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) Land Use Planning & Public Service Internship | 1000 Friends of Oregon | Portland, OR | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) Tribal Intern - Lands Management | Central Arizona Project (CAP) | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) GIS Intern | Central Arizona Project (CAP) | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) Planning Internship - Graduate Student | Matrix Design Group | Phoenix, AZ | Internship | ||
| Administrative Intern - AMA Section | Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) | ||
| Groundwater Intern | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) | ||
| (Summer 2022) Geography Student Internship | American Association of Geographers (AAG) | Remote | Internship | ||
| Food Systems Internship (Interest Form) | Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health (MCDPH) | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Unpaid) | ||
| Adjudications GIS Intern | Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) | Phoenix, AZ | Internship (Paid) |
Internship Resources for Geography, GIS and Planning Students
Geography and GIS
- Association of American Geographers Jobs page - To see internships around the country, enter 'intern' in Search field. Includes many academic positions also.
- US Bureau of Land Management - Here's a flyer with a host of links for environmental internships of all kinds
- American Conservation Experience - Offers opportunities to either work as part of a Conservation Corps to explore conservation careers while learning practical field skills, or on an individual project (EPIC) to apply knowledge of resource management and work on actual projects. Stipend and housing provided; positions are 2-12 months.
- Conservation Legacy – A national program that focuses on engaging youth, young adults and veterans in conservation and service programs nationwide. Most placements are with state and federal agencies. Individual Placement positions are a good fit for undergraduates & recent graduates, are paid and eligible for post-service education award. For AZ opportunities: Arizona Conservation Corps – Individual Placements
- The Student Conservation Association - offers summer and year-round internships related to conservation. Partners include National Park Service, USGS, and other national organizations. Some GIS-related positions are available.
- GeoScientists-In-the-Parks, US National Park Service - works with partners to match college students and recent graduates age 18 - 35 years old with short-term, paid, internships with the National Park Service.
- NASA DEVELOP Internship Program - Team-based semester-long internships at NASA centers throughout the United States. Projects focus on use of NASA satellite-based earth observations to address environmental & public policy issues.
- US Department of Energy Internship Programs: Links to diverse internship programs across the country, many focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Focus of internships range from scientific research to policy, government relations, law and more.
- GeoCorps America - Geology, earth science and hydrology internships, some GIS
- The Nelson Institute: Environmental Jobs - A listing of internships and jobs, especially in the midwest US
- Conservation and Land Management Internship Program - Designed for new graduates. 75-100 Five-month paid internships assisting biologists & other professional staff at several federal agencies.
- American Geographical (AGS) Society Virtual Scholar-Intern Program -Semester-long internships for students interested in spreading geographical awareness through blogging, social media, and mapping. An opportunity to work with a dynamic team of leaders, develop real-world experience in geographic and geospatial areas and strengthen skills. AGS is in New York but internships are virtual and open to students in any location.
- ASU GIS listserv - Email list focused on Arizona-based GIS internships, jobs, resources, and events. Link explains how to sign up.
- ESRI - Career information and internship opportunities for current students and new graduates
Government - opportunities in all areas
- Federal (USA Jobs) - Job site used by all US federal government agencies. Also see Go Government, which provides guidance on how to find and apply for federal government jobs.
- Pathways - US Federal Government internship and jobs program for students and recent graduates. Many opportunities are listed only very briefly, so it's recommended to sign up for email notifications using the "Save Search" function.
- State of Arizona
- Maricopa County
- City of Flagstaff
- City of Chandler
- City of Mesa
- City of Phoenix
- City of Scottsdale
- City of Tempe
- City of Tucson
Planning
- Sustainability Connect - ASU School of Sustainability's database of available projects and internships. Many have connections to urban or environmental planning.
- MCLEAPS Internships - This ASU and Maricopa County partnership offers top students hands-on experience and greatly enhances their education with an introduction to the opportunities and rewards of public service careers, including in county government.
- ASU Capitol Scholars Program - Provides undergraduate students with hands-on training in the public policy making process in Washington D.C.
- US National Park Service Internship Opportunities - The Park Service partners with several groups to offer paid internships in community planning, outdoor recreation planning, historic preservation and more.
The sites below primarily focus on full-time employment, but also list some internships, and give timely information about careers in planning.
- American Planning Association Jobs Online
- American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter
- Planetizen.com
- Planners Network
- Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS)
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
Resources for all fields
- ASU Handshake - ASU Career Services' portal - Create an account to see internship listings across the US, sign up for virtual career events, make career advising appointments
- Undergraduate Research at ASU - University-wide information about research opportunities for undergraduate students
- EmergencyCorps@ASU - Volunteer, professional, and internship opportunities in emergency management and homeland security.
- AmeriCorps.gov - Portal for 3 federal programs: AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). Part-time and full-time positions serve US communities in areas ranging from community development to conservation. Stipend and education grant / loan repayment offered.
- HACU National Internship Program - Paid internships that offer opportunities to gain career experience at federal government agencies and corporations in Washington, DC and throughout the country
- The MANO Project - Paid internship experiences nationwide for Latinx college students and upcoming professionals; especially in areas of natural and cultural resources, environmental education, and cultural and heritage preservation
- Idealist.org - Jobs, organizations, internships & volunteer opportunities focused on practical solutions to social and environmental problems.