Career Resources
Around the globe, thousands of earth, ocean, and environmental scientists, researchers and policy specialists are busy at work studying a multitude of crucial issues—from climate change and environmental public policy to the development of new sustainable practices and cutting-edge exploration technologies. Whether you’re interested in joining their ranks or simply looking for an exciting internship opportunity, we can help you take the next step.
Undergraduate Internships in Marine Policy
Interns in UD's Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy work on a range of research and policy analysis activities with graduate students, faculty and agencies.
For more information, contact George Parsons, associate director of the School of Marine Science and Policy.
Marine Sciences Summer Program
This Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program offers interns a research-intensive atmosphere in topics like oceanography, marine biology, marine geology, or marine biogeochemistry. Learn more
For Undergraduates
For Graduate Students
Multiple Opportunities for Students at Various Levels
Find job boards and other resources for your field on your department's careers page
Grow Your Network
Join the CEOE LinkedIn group to connect with alumni, grow your network, discover job postings, and keep up-to-date with college news and announcements.
How to apply for a job in government
Both USAJOBS and Go Government have resource pages available to guide applicants as they consider, apply, and secure federal employment.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Careers
Sea Grant is committed to developing a skilled marine and coastal workforce by providing job-based training, internships, fellowships and research funding to undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, Sea Grant employs over 1,500 full and part-time faculty and staff. Click here to see current job openings
NOAA Marine Operations regularly has openings for civilian mariners aboard NOAA's research vessels. Learn more >
The NOAA Corps is the commissioned officer corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). If you are interested in a career incorporating both science and service to the nation, you will find a unique opportunity in the smallest of the seven uniformed services. Learn more >
Those interested in both enforcement and marine resources will find a unique opportunity to serve the public at NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement as an Enforcement Officer or Special Agent. Learn more >
Are you a teacher who is interested in oceanographic research? Does the idea of living aboard an ocean-going research vessel intrigue you? Would you like to work as a crew member on a one- to three-week scientific cruise? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is looking for motivated teachers (K-16) with a desire to do scientific research at sea and share that experience with students and colleagues. Learn more >
Find information about educational opportunities that are available throughout NOAA. Learn more >
Federal Institutions Career Pages
U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority page
Federal Occupations by College Major
Careers in Technology Transfer listed with Federal Laboratory Consortium
US Forest Service International Programs
Environmental Protection Agency
Resources for Students and Recent Graduates
The Pathways Programs offer clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates, and provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal service.
As a student or recent graduate, you can begin your career in the Federal government by choosing the path that best describes you and where you are in your academics:
- Internship Program: This program is for current students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate level, with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore Federal careers while still in school. It replaces the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).
- Recent Graduates Program: This program is for individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs and seek a dynamic, career development program with training and mentorship. To be eligible, applicants must apply within two years of degree or certificate completion (except for veterans precluded from doing so due to their military service obligation, who will have up to six years to apply).
- Resource Assistants Program: This program is an immersive, paid internship for individuals interested in USDA Forest Service careers. Resource Assistants work under the supervision of Forest Service staff to complete mission-critical work that demonstrates leadership, critical thinking, and strategic communication. Through direct training, experience, and exposure, Resource Assistants gain the tools to launch their natural and cultural resource careers. Can earn a 2-year hiring authority to apply for qualifying permanent Forest Service positions upon successful completion of the program.
The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a private, nonprofit corporation headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. IDA’s mission is to answer the most challenging U.S. security and science policy questions with objective analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise. IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), located across from the White House in Washington, DC, is one of three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) operated by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), a nonprofit corporation. STPI was established by Congress to inform policy decisions of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the President.
Click here to learn more about internships and fellowships at IDA
ORISE administers a broad range of internships, scholarships, fellowships and research experiences. These programs are available to science and engineering students and educators at every academic level from K-12, to college students and postdocs, to university faculty members. For more information, click here
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is designed to inspire undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a unique research experience that supports the NIST mission.
The below sites serve as primary sources for searching federally-sponsored opportunities for undergaduate and graduate students in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) areas.
Graduate and Advanced Degree Fellowships
For more than three decades, the PMF Program has been the Federal government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. This program is now for individuals who have received a qualifying advanced degree within the preceding two years. For complete program information, visit: www.pmf.gov
The mission of the NRC Research Associateship Programs is to promote excellence in scientific and technological research conducted by the U. S. government through the administration of programs offering graduate, postdoctoral, and senior level research opportunities at sponsoring federal laboratories and affiliated institutions.
Non-partisan, 1-year program in Washington, DC for rising leaders in public policy (including science policy and there are scientists and medical doctors in the program). It is geared to post-graduate early to mid-career leaders. The purpose is to give the Fellows first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs. Open to all US citizens including career military, but not open to current federal employees. Click here to learn more
A 1-2 year program for non-federal employees in Washington, DC. It pairs talented, diverse technologists and innovators with top civil-servants and change-makers working at the highest levels of the federal government to tackle some of our nation’s biggest challenges. These teams of entrepreneurs-in-residence and government experts take a user-centric approach to issues at the intersection of people, processes, products, and policy to achieve lasting impact at startup speed. Click here to learn more
IDA operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in the public interest: the Systems and Analyses Center, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), and the Center for Communications and Computing. Through these FFRDCs, IDA answers the most challenging U.S. security and space policy questions with objective analyses leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise. Learn more here
The AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Program provides opportunities for professional development and public service to foster scientifically informed, evidence-based policy and practice by engaging scientists and engineers from a broad range of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages to directly contribute their knowledge and analytical skills to the federal government; to learn first-hand about policymaking and implementation at the federal level; and to build leadership for a strong science and technology enterprise that benefits all people. Click here for more information
The United States Department of State Professional Science and Engineering (S&E) Society Fellows Program enlists bright, inquisitive scientists and engineers with an interest in policy and international affairs to further the diplomacy and development policies of the United States. Fellows contribute their science and technology expertise to the policymaking process by working directly in an office at the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development. Click here for more information
The Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) program engages the American academic science, technology, and engineering communities in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. For more details on eligibility criteria, terms of the fellowship and instructions for applying, click here.
The Graduate Research Internship Program provides professional development to NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Fellows through internships developed in partnership with federal agencies. Click here to learn more
NASA internships and fellowships leverage NASA’s unique missions and programs to enhance and increase the capability, diversity and size of the nation’s future science, technology, geology, hydrology, biology, engineering and mathematics workforce. Internships are available from high school to graduate level. Internships provide students with the opportunity to participate in either research or other experiential learning, under the guidance of a mentor at NASA.
Designed to provide students enrolled in a wide variety of education institutions, from high school to graduate level, with opportunities to work in agencies to explore Federal careers while still in school and while getting paid for the work performed. Click here to learn more
The NIST NRC Postdoctoral Program supports a nationwide competitive postdoctoral program administered in cooperation with the National Academies/National Research Council (NRC). The postdoctoral program brings research scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability to perform advanced research related to the NIST mission, introduces the latest university research results and techniques to NIST scientific programs, strengthens mutual communication with university researchers, shares NIST unique research facilities with the U.S. scientific and engineering communities, and provides a valuable mechanism for the transfer of research results from NIST to the scientific and engineering communities. Click here to learn more
The mission of the Department of Commerce Office of the Secretary Internship Program is to engage and empower developing leaders with a passion for public service. The program will expose students to opportunities in the federal government and the potential to find passion in a career in public service. Interns will gain unique experience through their placement in one of several offices in the department. Learn more and how to apply.
The Department of Interior Pathways program has an Internship Program for current students and the Recent Graduates Program for people who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs (2 years from the date the graduate completed an academic course of study): https://www.doi.gov/pathways.
The USGS hires interns at all levels of education from early college through post-doctoral research. Click here to learn more
The DOE maintains a wide range of student-focused programs to keep a steady stream of bright and motivated new talent flowing into their workforce. Click here to learn more
Volunteer Activities
Federal agencies and departments offer unpaid training opportunities to students in high school and college. These opportunities can provide work experience related to your academic program, while allowing you to explore career options, as well as develop your personal and professional skills. Click here to learn more
Other volunteer opportunities are available at the USDA Forest Service and through Citizen Science projects
National and International Service Programs
Americorps, a national service program, offers a variety of service opportunities, from the classroom to the outdoors, and everything in between.
21st Century Conservation Service Corps is a national effort to put thousands of America’s young people and veterans to work protecting, restoring, and enhancing America’s great outdoors. For a complete list of partners providing opportunities in this endeavor, visit 21csc.org.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) engages brave young leaders in life-changing service, living and working with those in need to build a more just and hopeful world. It takes on the world’s most difficult challenges, permanently transforming themselves and the communities they serve. Volunteers give an intense year or two at the front lines of social justice, and we give them a sense of purpose to guide every year that follows. Similar to other volunteer service programs, usually housing, food allowance, and a small stipend is provided.