NREM Internship Experience

The undergraduate internship is a graduation requirement for all CTAHR majors. For NREM majors, the internship course (NREM 492, 3 cr) consists of a work experience and associated written assignments. Most students engage in the work experience during the summer but complete the assignments associated with it during the fall semester. Others may work on the internship during the academic year and finish the assignments during the spring semester. NREM 492 is offered both semesters to accommodate these varied schedules.

Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes

The objectives of the work experience are to:

a) integrate and apply knowledge from your academic program to practical work responsibilities in an agricultural or natural resource field;

b) obtain experience in decision-making and to gain an understanding of interpersonal skills needed to work productively with employers, co-workers and customers/clients;

c) determine your level of interest in a specific field;

d) develop personal contacts with people in this field; and

e) identify future needs in your educational program.

The course contributes to two of the five NREM Student Learning Outcomes, including:

1. Students demonstrate what is expected of an entry-level professional working in the field of natural resources and environmental management.
    
2. Students communicate proficiently in writing and orally to both technical and general audiences in natural and social sciences.

Minimum Hours, Journal, and Student Evaluation

A minimum of 135 hours of work experience are required. You will complete a journal and a written report of the work experience. Your employer will complete an evaluation of your performance at the end of your employment.

Internship Process

Internship approval is required in order to obtain a registration override for NREM 492. Important steps of the internship process, including the required forms, journal writing, and NREM 492 expectations are:

1. Discuss internship interests with NREM Faculty Advisor

2. Then apply to internship

3. Let NREM Faculty Advisor know if internship is acquired

4. Complete the Internship Agreement Form with your internship supervisor

5. Review the Student Evaluation Form and tell your internship supervisor that you are required to write a journal throughout the internship.

6. Complete and submit the NREM Internship Approval Form (Google Form) - Note, this will require you to upload the Internship Agreement Form that is completed and signed by your internship supervisor

7. If approved, you will receive an email from the NREM Internship (NREM 492) Instructors.

8. A registration override will then be provided that will enable you to register for NREM 492 in the Fall or Spring semester

9. Begin your internship

10. Write journal throughout your internship

11. Revise journal at the end of your internship

12. Ask internship supervisor to complete your Student Evaluation Form

13. Fall or Spring semester begins

14. Week 02 of semester, revise your journal again and submit the assignment

15. Week 10 of semester, confirm that your student evaluation form was received by NREM.

All of the forms for the NREM Internship are located on NREM Undergraduate Program Site; Internships.