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Current Internships — 2009–2010

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: According to previous interns, these internships can be more valuable than some regular courses. 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.]

Asthma Awareness Project NEW – Children in the Lehigh Valley are 2–4 times more likely to have childhood asthma, but most people aren't even aware that there's a problem. One of the triggers is air pollution from vehicles—both Lehigh and Northampton Counties are in violation of standards for ground-level ozone and Diesel particulate pollution. Work with the Alliance and the Bethlehem Partnership for a Healthy Community to increase awareness and action! [More info...]

Business & Sustainability NEW – 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...]

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. Available by special arrangement only. [More info...]

Climate Action – Help towns, schools, healthcare institutions, businesses, and individuals develop and promote ways to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to build a more self-reliant region. [More info...]

Communications 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...]

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.)

Education for Sustainable Living – This is not about environmental education as much as it's about how schools can evolve in ways that prepare people to contribute to a more sustainable future. Many of our schools are challenged by subjects such as global warming, peak oil, ecology, sustainability, and participatory democracy—but if schools are not prepared to help students develop the knowledge, values, and skills they need to live sustainably, how will we develop a sustainable society? Interns will focus on researching successful approaches and assisting with presentations to teachers, citizen groups, school boards, and/or administrators. [More info...]

Justice in the Community NEW – 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 Healthcare NEW – Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are starting to pay attention to sustainability, and we want to encourage them to do more and take a comprehensive approach. We will work with local healthcare institutions to explore ways to reduce GHG emissions, cut waste, change over to healthier food, reduce commuting trips, and become more sustainable while making a huge contribution to community health. [More info...]

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...]

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

[6 Feb 2010]