Last updated: January 9, 2023
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National Park Service HBCU Interns Present Projects, Network, and Bond at the Greening Youth Foundation’s Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia
NPS Photo
In July 2022, 40 interns gathered in-person at the Greening Youth Foundation’s annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, for the first time since 2019. Over the five-day conference, the group listened to several career spotlights and student presentations; networked with fellow interns and speakers; and visited Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. In their own time, the interns explored downtown Atlanta, including the Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta Aquarium, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Atlanta Zoo, and a night of karaoke dancing to their favorite songs.
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Day 1: Celebrating Excellence
On the first day, two panels highlighted the journey from student to National Park Service employee. Another panel highlighted how one’s experience with these internships is very personal, and that having a good support system, making connections, and sharing your passion can help you figure out what you want to do. Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and how we can improve in these areas were also discussed.
The highlight of the day was visiting Ponce Market in downtown Atlanta where the interns spent time on the Rooftop Skyline. There were games, a big slide, miniature golf, and food. Some of the interns enjoyed building a big Jenga puzzle that sadly fell down in the end, but it was the building of it that mattered!
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Day 2 and 3: Sustainable Diversity, Intern Presentations, and Careers in Conservation
The next two days were filled with exciting presentations from career speakers and interns. Dr. Kevin James, the 19th President of Morris Brown College, talked about the importance of will power and that where there is a will, there is a way. He helped reinstate Morris Brown’s accreditation after a 20-year hiatus. An Environmental Quality and Education Manager spoke about how she got involved with the marine environmental field and emphasized that no career path has to be linear. Every opportunity helps.
Other speakers discussed the intersection between public health and climate change and how making the outdoors accessible to all was crucial. An employee from the U.S. Forest Service explained the Resource Assistant Program and how that could help individuals get their foot in the door for a government position.
There were also fun activities, such as playing Kahoot, and voting on the best 15 to 30-second videos showing "A Day in the Life of a GYF Intern” that interns submitted before the conference.
Each of the HBCUI and Intern X Program participants presented slides and posters about their internships. The 40 interns worked at sites across the country in different fields, such as interpretation and education, communications, graphic design, public history, historic preservation, and more!
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Day 4: Careers in the NPS and Visit to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Park Ranger Brian greeted the interns at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and gave a presentation about the park and its history. Interns also heard from speakers about their careers and other topics, including trash free parks, the Green Parks Plan, different laws and policies that protect the rights of workers, what it is like to work in Facilities, and the National Park Foundation partnership with the National Service.
Following the presentations, some interns hiked up the 1.1-mile trail to the highest peak in the park, while others took the air-conditioned bus, because it was very hot!
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Day 5: Last Day Celebrations and Site Visit to Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
The final day of the conference was bittersweet. No one knew each other or what to expect on Day 1, but on Day 5, everyone showed up with a strong sense of community built over only a matter of days. They had made new friends and fond memories along the way.
All interns had a chance to provide feedback about the program through a facilitated discussion that provided a safe space to share thoughts in confidence.
At the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Office of Public Health gave a short introduction to the film "Twenty & Odd," where the producer explained how he got his start as an intern and his inspiration for the film. The day was nearly done, but not before having a cookout and dancing to DJ music.
Learn more about the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Internship Program through the Greening Youth Foundation. View other internship program opportunities available and stay connected. The HBCUI program generally recruits through February of each year, though there are other internships available at other times.