How to Find a Summer Opportunity in the Environmental Sciences Organized by Becky Ostertag-UHH Biology, PIPES/PACRC, EPSCoR, LSAMP, Keaholoa, and UHH MOP Funded by an NSF Ecosystem Studies Grant (Grant # 0546868)

Overview Types of opportunities for undergraduates Why should I get experience outside of school? Where to look for opportunities Application process Search and identify Building a resume Additional documents The interview Questions

Job Outlook Understand natural world and impact Determine environmental impacts Develop management plans for restoration and avoidance Educate and train general public Develop/manage sustainable communities Job opportunities are growing! Private companies Non-government organizations State and Federal agencies Universities

Why Get Experience?? Environmental Sciences  wide field Narrow interests Hands on experience! Reinforce classroom learning Techniques, research design, etc. Learn specific skills What professionals do Establish contacts for future: job offers, letters of recommendation, Networking!!! Graduate school Future jobs – experience stands out

How To Gain Experience During school: Summer: Work for a professor (lab/research assistant, directed research, etc.) Summer: Research Experience for Undergraduates Field Stations Part-time/seasonal work Internships Volunteer programs Work-study ~ Federal natural resource agencies

Finding Careers in Environmental Sciences Internet searches General search engines State specific Agency specific Project specific Ask a professional College professors, career center Join a professional society Meetings, publications, discussions, job availability

The Application Process Search and Identify Build your Resume Additional Documents Interview Process

Step One: Search and Identify Internet / career center search Narrow down fields of interest Location Volunteer, internship, credit Research of interest Be aware of deadlines!! Read details Housing? Airfare? Stipend? Accessibility?

Step Two: Your Resume Determine objective State desired job Skills and necessary experience Structure content around objective modify central resume accordingly Cover letter / personal statement State the facts: brief and to-the-point Purpose: meet or exceed job requirements and demonstrate interest Written communication skills Sell yourself and impress!

Step Two: Your Resume Marketing tool  obtain interview Put yourself in the readers’ shoes: What would you look for? Clear and concise! Bullet points – key phrases Short sentences Details during interview Format 10-12pt. Font 1-2 pages Spell check Revise, revise, revise 3rd party critique

Step Two: Your Resume Tips: Action words (prepared, managed, developed, etc.) Use %’s, $’s and #’s Highlight your strengths! Match needs of hiring company – keywords Outside opinion (friend, professor/advisor, critique service Be positive!

Step Three: Additional Documents References Professor, advisor, employer Letters of recommendation Start early! College transcripts / supporting documents Be complete

Step Four: The Interview Preparation Personal Industry – ask questions First Impression Enthusiasm Be prompt The Interview Positive attitude, excitement, confidence Be specific What interests you, what you want to do More specific  find what’s right for YOU Personal: “tell me about yourself.” goals, skills/qualifications relative to job Industry: find out about company, position, etc.

Summer is Approaching… Interested? Get started! Deadlines: February-April Letters of recommendation Handout, career center, professors Work on resume Submit several applications

Questions?

PIPES: Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science REU: Research Experience for Undergraduates UH-HIP: University of Hawaii Hawaiian Internship Program MASSIP: Micronesian and America Samoan Student Internship Program

Previous Interns Tina Fillmed Noelani Puniwai Francis Quitazol 2001 MASSIP Internship, Yap EPA Now Director of Yap EPA Noelani Puniwai Na Pua Noeau in middle and high school and UH-HIP in 1997 Student researcher on coral reef and stream projects Currently working for Hawaii Biodiversity Mapping Program and starting Ph.D. at UHM Francis Quitazol UH-HIP in 1997 – USDA FS – invasive weeds 1998 – Forest Technician, USDA FS California and Utah 2000 – Haleakala National Park – various positions 2004 – The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii – Natural Resource Assistant 2006 – TNC of Hawaii Natural Resources Manager, Maui