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Internship Opportunities
The internship program has both an applied component and an academic component. Once students are accepted into the internship program, they will sign up for GEOG 384 (Internship in Geography) and GEOG 385 (Internship Research Paper) for a total of six academic credits. GEOG 384 provides students time to work on the internship. Generally, students will work at the host agency about two working days a week during the 15-week semester. The exact amount of work required and the days allocated to the host agency are determined by mutual agreement between the agency, the student, and the student's faculty advisor. The grade for GEOG 384 is pass/fail and is based on the successful completion of the internship agreement. Evaluation of the student's work experience may be solicited from the host agency. GEOG 385 provides an academic component, the internship research paper. The topic of this paper should be related to the work experience of the student, but the structure and format of the paper, length, and final due date are agreed upon between the student and the faculty advisor. The student should submit the paper to the faculty advisor by the due date, and the advisor will evaluate the work. Regular grading is applied for GEOG 385. Host agencies expect adherence to the agreed-upon work schedule and performance at a level comparable to a regular professional employee. In turn, the work assigned to the intern should provide the intern with professional, career-oriented experience. The intern is not necessarily paid, since academic credit is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the internship. Internship Placement and the Application Procedure
Students who wish to participate in the internship program are encouraged to research opportunities both on and off campus, and must also identify a Geography faculty advisor. The Geography Advising Office can offer guidance throughout this process, and may also help students locate potential opportunities.
The following prerequisite coursework is strongly recommended:
Students' summer work experience can provide the opportunity for an internship. This may require special arrangements so students must see Dr. Cirrincione or the professor currently directing the internship program.
Individuals who are interested in urban geography and planning have worked at the Washington Council of Governments, City of Rockville, and local Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commissions. Cultural and historical geography opportunities exist at the National Archives, the Smithsonian, city and county governments, National Park Service and the Heritage, Conservation and Recreation Service at the Department of Interior. Physical geography majors have been placed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Service, consulting and engineering firms, NASA and local planning agencies. Cartography experience is available at nearly all the organizations cited above. Opportunities have also been available at the research labs located within the Geography department.
Topics for seminar papers have varied greatly. An individual working with solar energy programs at the Maryland Energy Office wrote a consumer protection pamphlet for homeowners who install a solar energy system. An intern at the Organization of American States wrote about the infrastructure improvements in a river basin and future transportation needs of each country in the basin. A cartography intern at the C.I.A. wrote about introducing automated cartographic techniques and equipment to traditionally trained cartographers.
To aid geography majors in searches for career or internship opportunities, the Geography Advising Office and the Career Center sponsor a Career/Internship fair every semester. Local governmental and private organizations who are specifically looking for potential employees with geographic skills attend. Leading organizations that have attended in past career fairs include: ESRI, U.S. Census Bureau, NIMA, FEMA, National Archives, USGS, EarthSat, Defense Intelligence Agency, Appalachian Regional Commission, Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Maryland Department of the Environment, and many others. At least 10-15 organizations participate every semester, and over 100 students from Geography and other departments attend.
The Department of Geography also maintains a website of important geography career links. |
The Geography Department at the University of Maryland offers a one-semester internship program for undergraduates. The goal of the program is to enhance the intellectual growth and the career opportunities of undergraduates. The internship provides students with an opportunity to expand their understanding of the field by linking the theoretical aspects of geography acquired in the classroom to the applied aspects operating in a working situation. The work experience also provides an opportunity for the undergraduate to become familiar with activities, demands, and opportunities at the professional level.
In
addition to helping students get in touch with potential employers, there
are often workshops that help students with the job application process,
resume writing, or deciding what kind of geographic career options fit
their interests.
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Department of Geography, 2181 LeFrak Hall, University of Maryland, College Park MD
20742 Phone: 01-301-405-4050 Fax: 01-301-0314-9299 © 2006, All Rights Reserved |
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