Career Opportunities

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Full-Time Jobs After Graduation

Post-Graduation Full Time Jobs
Information, services, and resources designed to assist 4th year students in finding a job with a special emphasis on the On-Campus Recruiting Program.

English specific opportunities

Grant-writing

Book and Paper Arts

Summer Internships and Jobs

Finding a Summer Job or Internship
This section provides the following resources to help you with your internship search.

IDNR Internship Programs

Internships in natural resource management, conservation law enforcement, environmental education, park interpretation and administration are available to college and graduate students through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. IDNR's internship programs allow students to obtain practical experience and meet hands-on training requirements necessary to earn their degrees. Programs range in length from eight weeks to one year, depending on the type of program available. Salaries are paid for some positions. The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age or disability.

In addition to its own internship program, IDNR also participates in internship programs coordinated through the Governor's Office, the Lt. Governor's Office and Illinois universities and colleges. For more information about internship opportunities at the Department of Natural Resources, please contact:

Internship Program Manager
One Natural Resource Way
Springfield, IL 62702
(217)782-4963
Fax (217) 557-6797
TDD (217)782-9175

INTERNSHIPS:
Computer Systems
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers internships to college students pursuing degrees related to computer fields.

An applicant will gain hands-on experience with agency computer networks, computer repair and maintenance, and software application development. Work schedules will be set to accommodate the student's schedules.

An applicant must be enrolled in curriculum related directly to data processing/computers. Preference will be given to junior, senior or post-graduate students with PC experience and good references from school administrators.

Education
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Office of Land Management and Education offers upper level and graduate students opportunities to gain practical experience in developing and presenting environmental education materials.

The Office's Division of Education in Springfield will train interns to become facilitators for Illinois Project WILD, Project WILD Aquatic, Project Wet and/or Project Learning Tree. One non-paid intern will be placed each fall, spring and summer semester.

An applicant must be a full-time student enrolled in a college or university at the junior, senior or graduate level with a major in biological science, natural resources or environmental education.

Fisheries
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Fisheries offers non-paid internships to college students pursuing degrees related to fisheries.

An intern will gain practical field experience by working under the supervision of an IDNR fisheries biologist or urban fishing coordinator at sites convenient to the student. Three-month internships, available between mid-May and September, will be arranged to accommodate students' schedules.

An applicant must be enrolled in curriculum related directly to fisheries, biology, zoology, ecology or environmental biology. Preference will be given to junior, senior or post-graduate students whose major course of study requires an internship.

Forest Resources
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Forest Resources offer non-paid summer internships available to forestry students.

Interns will take street tree inventories at small to medium-sized communities having urban forestry programs. They also will collect data for the development of management plans for private woodland owners.

An applicant must be a full-time forestry student enrolled at a college or university at the junior, senior or graduate level, and must have successfully completed a forest dendrology course. Preference will be given to applicants working toward degrees in urban forestry.

Grant Administration
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Grant Administration offers summer internship to a senior or graduate student who will be given the opportunity to work with local units of government and park districts requesting state grant assistance for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities.

Under direct supervision of a grant administrator in the Springfield office, part of the intern's field work will involve inspecting proposed grant applicant park sites, reviewing park plans and designs and assisting in final and post-completion inspections (travel expenses are reimbursed).

An applicant must be a full-time student enrolled in park and recreation management, planning or a public administration program. Preference will be given to applicants with prior experience in parks and recreation management.

Land Management
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Office of Land Management and Education is offering non-paid internships in park management, park interpretation and administration.

An applicant must be a junior, senior or post graduate student in a natural resources-related program, such as parks and recreation, ecology or natural resource management. Preference will be given to applicants whose major course of study requires an internship.

Law Enforcement
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Office of Law Enforcement offers statewide internships for eight weeks during the spring, summer and fall semesters. The non-paid positions provide practical experience for individuals pursuing law enforcement or criminal justice careers.

An applicant must be a full-time student enrolled in a college or university at the junior, senior or graduate level. Preference is given to criminal justice or natural resource related majors who need to complete an internship for their degrees. Applications must be received 90 days before an internship's expected starting date.

Natural Heritage
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Natural Heritage offers residencies to graduate students who will be given the opportunity to conduct biological inventories, monitor endangered species and manage natural areas. The number offered each year is subject to the amount of funds available for this program.

Working under the supervision of an IDNR natural heritage biologist, residents can expect to develop skills in writing management plans and presenting programs to the public. They also will receive training in the use of power tools and equipment and in the application of pesticides to control vegetation, and obtain field experience in the application of prescribed fire.

Residencies are scheduled to accommodate university and college semesters, with each residency lasting 12 consecutive months. During their residencies, students must reside within a 30-mile radius of their base location.

A residency pays $1,305 monthly, with health insurance, vacation, sick and personal leave benefits provided. An applicant must be enrolled in a graduate program in plant biology, plant and soil sciences, forestry or zoology and must be recommended to IDNR by the graduate school. Residents may receive units of credit toward their graduate degrees in accordance with university requirements.

Wildlife Resources
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Wildlife Resources offers non-paid internships to college students who have an interest in wildlife conservation. Students enrolled in wildlife, biology, ecology, zoology or related curricula at the junior level or above are preferred.

Often working under the supervision of IDNR wildlife biologists, interns will have the opportunity to develop their writing and public speaking skills, conduct biological inventories and participate in field work, including habitat management on public and private lands.

Three-month internships, available between mid-May and September, will be arranged to accommodate students' schedules at locations convenient to the interns. The number of interns accommodated varies annually and is determined by a combination of programmatic needs and student interest.

FBI Academy Nonpaid Internship

FBI Behavioral Science Unit--Research Internship
FBI Budget and Program Management Unit--Accounting Internship
FBI College of Analytical Studies Professional Development Unit--Research Internship
FBI Investigative Training Unit--Research Internship
FBI Law Enforcement Communication Unit--Research Internship
FBI Leadership Development Unit--Internship Program
FBI Multi-Media Resource Unit--Internship

The FBI Academy is located on the Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia, about 35 miles south of Washington, D.C. The FBI Academy's Nonpaid Internship Program was founded with the desire to bring together exceptional men and women along with their diverse academic disciplines and talents into a professional experience that will benefit both the student and the FBI.

The FBI Academy is responsible for training current and future members of the law enforcement community. The Academy is viewed as one of the world's premier law enforcement institutions. As such, the FBI strives to stay on the cutting edge of technology, instruction, and operations and seeks for qualified people to help further meet the diverse needs and goals.

Current needs are for students majoring in: Accounting; Adult Education - (Adult Learner and Instructor Development); Behavioral Sciences & Sociology; Hotel Management; English; Criminal Justice, International Relations, International Business, Communications - (Interviewing and Interrogations), Media and Television Studio Productions, Physical Education - (Nutrition, Exercise, Fitness and Health Management, Personal Trainer and Sports Medicine).

All positions within the FBI Academy's Nonpaid Internship Program are completely on a volunteer basis. All interview expenses, transportation, housing/lodging, meals and incidentals are the sole responsibility of the student. Academic credits for such internships are to be determined by the academic institution and the working hours can be negotiated with each respective unit as assigned within the FBI Academy. Spring internships start the second week of January. Summer internships start the third week of May. Fall internships start the second week of September.

Student Qualifications
The Nonpaid Internship Program is a 12-week (minimum), full-time program available to qualified students, both undergraduate and graduate, during the Spring, Summer and Fall terms. The student must be academically rated as a junior or above to be eligible for the program and must complete the internship prior to graduating. The student must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and must be at least part-time enrolled at an accredited university or college. The student must be in good standing academically eligible to continue as an enrolled student in his/her respective institution. The student must be a minimum of 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. All applicants must meet FBI employment suitability standards, to include employment policy regarding current and prior usage of illegal drugs, and be able to pass a comprehensive background check to include polygraph and drug testing.

Application Procedures
Those wishing to participate in the FBI Academy's Nonpaid Internship Program must have their application materials submitted at least twelve months prior to the anticipated internship. The following must be submitted as part of the application process:

  • A completed SF-86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, ("opm.gov," under forms)
  • A letter of faculty sponsorship from your college or university and two letters of recommendation.
  • An essay no more than two pages indicating your background, interests, goals, and reasons for wanting to participate in the FBI Academy Nonpaid Internship Program.
  • Your resume outlining your educational background, work experience, and awards/achievements.
  • Current transcripts of college credits earned (original copy; include all academic years).
  • Copy of a college term paper, thesis or other writing example written by the applicant.
  • A "2 x 2" photograph of yourself.

Application Deadlines
SPRING SESSION - application materials must be received by January 1st of the previous year.
SUMMER SESSION - application materials must be received by May 1st of the previous year.
FALL SESSION - application materials must be received by September 1st of the previous year.

Please forward your application materials to:

Mr. Gary Holmes
FBI Academy
Quantico, Virginia 22135
(703) 632-1144

Posted August 8, 2006