Ever wondered what it was like to be a Park Ranger? Or Biologist in a National Park? Are you interested in internships with the National Park Service or affiliated partners? You're in luck!
Here you will find resources, links, and advice from C&O Canal interns as they share tips to be successful in the field. Find info on applications, resumes, cover letters, and more. Best wishes and good luck!
C&O Canal National Historical Park Interns
Advice from Intern Raisa Barrera
Education Coordinator Intern -- Georgetown District
Be prepared. Do your research and learn about the internship position, organization, application process well-ahead of time.
Practice your interview! It can be nerve-wracking preparing for your internship interview, especially the first time, so make sure to do plenty of practice interviews with friends and family.
Volunteer! Volunteering is a great way to get into the field you're interested in, even before applying for an internship.
Have fun and enjoy all the experiences. Time flies while you're a busy intern! Make sure to stop and "smell the roses" and take the time to appreciate your hard work you've done thus far.
Network when possible. Internships help build your network! Always seek learning opportunities with professionals in various fields.
Seek good mentors. Having someone there before and during your internship to support your goals increases your chance of success!
SCA Intern Kelly S. at work for the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
Advice from Intern Kelly Savannah
Education Coordinator Intern -- Headquarters
Go for the internships! That is where you will gain so much hands-on experience.
Don’t show up late. Show up early if you can.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! That’s how we all learn.
Once you are an intern, ask about if there are opportunities to shadow different departments at your site location.
Show initiative. Don’t be afraid to do the jobs other’s may not want to do.
Be patient with yourself. This is a learning experience, so if you can’t understand everything that is okay. In time, you will build your skills and you will be amazed with what you learn with on the job training!
FAQs
Frenquently Asked Questions
Why should I apply for an internship?
Internships are amazing hands-on experiences that help you learn about the different jobs that help conserve our protected natural and cultural resources. These amazing learning experiences can help you land a future job, help you learn more about your work ethic, and future career goals.
Who should apply?
Internships with the National Park Service and its affiliated partners are open to any and everyone! There are opportunities available for people of all backgrounds. Internships typically start at the high school level and can extend to fellowships for graduate school students and further.
Does the National Park Service offer internship opportunities? Where can I find these resources?
The National Park Service has a great resource page--Work With Us--that includes internship opportunities, open positions, application process and deadlines, and more. Make sure to check this page out if you're interested in different internship opportunities with NPS and Partners!
Resumes
Create a general resume that you can use as a template. Make sure to save your different versions separately. Don't forget to update your resume as you gain more experience.
There are a plethora of resume resources available online. Research plenty of examples ahead of time.
Use resources at your school for help in writing your resume.
Check with your local public library for available resume workshops.
Generally your resume should be:
At least 1-2 pages
Include information on
(a) Qualifications
(b) Education
(c) Computer Skills
(d) Volunteer or work experiences (starting with most recent)
(e) Any certifications or trainings you have completed
(f) Awards, honors, or special presentations
Include updated contact information
Cover letters
Create a general cover letter that you can use as a template.
Edit each cover letter to the specific job or position duties.
Save your cover letters for each job for future reference.
Research, research, and do more research on cover letter samples.
Use resources at your school for help in writing cover letters.
Check your local library for help or cover letter writing workshops.
General Application Advice
Some applications can be long, so plan to spend a good hour on the application.
Review the application details to see what are needed for the internship such as references, transcripts, and type of resume.
Be prepared and gather documents or files ahead of time. Keep them handy while you fill your application to maximize efficiency!
Read through each question on your application thoroughly and carefully. Double or triple-check your answers before submitting.
Some applications require you to go through a website, make sure you have a reliable network connection prior to starting your application.
If an online application allows you an option to save, save often, just in case of technical difficulties.
References
Try to foster good relationships with potential references throughout high school and beyond. These may include: coaches, counselors, teachers, supervisors, school administration, etc.
Usually internships will want at least 2-3 good references and mostly academic or job-related references.
Pro-tip: Contact former teachers, student advisors, or former supervisors ahead of time (preferred 3-4 weeks in advance) letting them know which organizations and positions you are applying for, and that you would like to request a recommendation from them.
Make sure you have the correct contact information for all of your references. Sometimes, the application will ask you to input your reference's contact information, so that they can send a recommendation request.
