Internship programs

The DNR's internship program is a system of on-the-job training, similar to an apprenticeship. Interns are usually college or university students, but they can also be high school students or post graduate adults seeking skills for a new career. Internships provide opportunities for student to gain experience in their field, determine if they have an interest in a particular career, create a network of contacts or gain school credit.

Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program (SAAIP)

The Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program (SAAIP) is a paid summer internship program offered by the State of Wisconsin. SAAIP provides racial/ethnic minorities, female students, and students with disabilities an opportunity to work in a professional work environment within Wisconsin state government. The SAAIP provides students with valuable work experience and training in various branches of state government. Many of the interns have succeeded in obtaining employment in state government as limited term or permanent state employees. Learn more and fill out the application by visting the Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program.

Apply now to be a FIN'tern!

The Fishing in the Neighborhood (FIN) program partners with local parks and community organizations to bring learn-to-fish opportunities to area residents and visitors from June through August.

In 2017, up to eight college-age interns — or FIN'terns — will be based at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee and possibly other locations in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, or Madison. Final decisions on locations will be made by mid-January.

Apply for these summer internships by submitting an internship application [PDF], resume and cover letter. Be sure to include three references on the application. Submit application materials to Theresa Stabo, theresa.stabo@wisconsin.gov; mailing address: DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.

• Application Deadline: Friday, February 17, 2017.
• Review position description [PDF] and contact information.
• Internships run from approximately May 15 – August 25, depending on candidates' final exam schedule.
• Training is scheduled for either May 15 – 18 or May 22 - 24, 2017 (again, depending on final exam schedule) at the MacKenzie Center in Poynette, about 30 miles north of Madison.
• FIN'terns receive stipends of $3800.00 (minus payroll taxes) for an average of 40 hours per week.
• Several days during the summer are spent with a DNR fisheries field biologist.

Find out more about the FIN program.