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Current Internships — 2010–2011

Internships with the Alliance are about hands-on work to create change: working for public and institutional policies based on reality, developing action plans to improve sustainability and reduce GHG, building public awareness of the need to change, creating publications and campaigns to increase public awareness. Many internships involve some research into 'best practices' used elsewhere.

NOTE: Most schools allow you to change courses without penalty during the first week or two of the semester, so if you see an internship that's right for you, it's not too late!

Following is a brief description of each of the internships that are now open for the Fall and Spring semesters—and some may also be available in the Summer by special arrangement.. Follow the links for more detailed descriptions [or go to the Descriptions folder]. Note that not all internships may be available at your school, so please contact us to be sure.]

Clean Air Campaign  NEW – Air quality in the Lehigh Valley consistently fails to meet EPA standards, but most people aren't even aware that there's a problem. One of the triggers is air pollution from vehicles. Work with a team from the Alliance, Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community, Clean Water Action, and other interested organizations to increase awareness and improve air quality!   [More info...]

Collective Memory Project NEW – The Collective Memory Project will record the diverse faces and voices of the Lehigh Valley through oral history and photography—including recent immigrants and descendents of earlier waves of immigration.   [More info...]

Communications & Media NEW – Communicating the ideas of what sustainability is and the many interdependent elements of sustainability is a real challenge. The communications intern will work with other working groups to develop more effective communications. [More info...]

Campus Sustainability – Get your campus up to speed on sustainability, including energy conservation, local and organic food, Fair Trade, composting, green building, transportation, recycling, waste minimization, and related efforts. [More info...]

Democracy in Action – Participate directly in the process of creating change in areas such as land use, energy conservation, youth development, education, transportation; affordable housing; students' rights, or other public policy and social justice issues. [More info...]

Editing,  Writing, & Publishing [Directory] – Interns will have significant responsibility for preparing content and publishing our annual Directory of Organizations That Promote Sustainable Communities (This internship is generally available only for the spring semester.)

Graphic Design – Put your talents to work creating effective communications to build awareness of sustainability issues. Develop a marketing campaign for campus sustainability, prepare education and outreach materials, help create the next Directory of Organizations That Promote Sustainable Communities, or work with a team redesigning the Alliance website. [More info...]

Education for Sustainable Living – This is not about environmental education as much as how schools can prepare people to help create a more sustainable future. Many of our schools don't deal well with global warming, peak oil, ecology, and sustainability—but failure to promote active participation in democratic governance may be even more of a barrier. If schools do not develop the knowledge, values, and skills students need, how will we develop a sustainable society? [More info...]

Justice in the Community – Our present justice system tends to focus on punishment and incarceration, but the high rates of recidivism show that these systems are not working. This internship will explore how we can use community-based & restorative justice, community policing, and community problem-solving to strengthen communities, reduce crime, and help individuals build more constructive lives. [More info...]

Sustainability in Business – Environmental responsibility and sustainability are sometimes thought of as being contrary to good business practices. Even if this were true, businesses would have an obligation to help protect the ecosystems on which life depends. Fortunately, sustainability is good business. Reducing unnecessary use of resources, conserving energy, and eliminating waste all reduce costs at the same time they protect the health of people and natural ecosystems.  [More info...]

Sustainability & Healthcare – no longer available

NOTE: It is our intent to offer all listed internships in the coming term (except as noted above). Availability may change or a given internship may be filled, and some internships may not be offered at all colleges. We urge you to apply well in advance of the deadline at your college or university. 

• How to apply for an Alliance internship    •     More info

[11 JULY 2010]