Internship Program
The Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry offers summer internships to undergraduates interested in forests and related natural resource issues, whether their majors and career plans are in forestry or other fields. Internships differ from summer jobs in that student projects focus on a particular research, management or education topic. A high level of initiative and independence is required from the student, and supervisors are committed to mentoring the student and encouraging his or her professional development.
Interns sponsored by the Institute have graduated to a variety of forest-related jobs, including Community Forestry coordinator, forest research assistant, teacher, and fire suppression crew member. Others plan to attend graduate school. See the Program Summary 1995-2000 for a table of participants, mentors, projects, and subsequent activities.
The Institute works primarily through the following two University of Hawaii internship programs to attract applicants and match their talents and interests with specific internship opportunities. Hawaiian, Micronesian and Samoan students attending colleges and universities other than the University of Hawaii are also welcome to apply directly to these programs. Pacific Island residents of any ethnic background who are currently enrolled in college are welcome to send a resume and letter of interest to Dr. Katherine Ewel, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry Education Committee, at kewel@fs.fed.us.
Micronesian-American Samoan Student Internship Program (MASSIP)
This program is for undergraduates from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands, and the Territory of American Samoa. Students who have left the region to attend school are matched with internships linked with natural resource agencies on their home islands. Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry staff collaborate with island-based agencies or projects to supervise interns sponsored by the Institute.
University of Hawaii-Hawaiian Internship Program (UHHIP)
This program matches undergraduates of Hawaiian descent with summer internships in Hawaii working with the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry or another scientific or management agency.
Student/Career Information Page
|