Website designed by Liz Chesser '04 and maintained bySue Swanson.
Please direct any departmental questions
to Chair Carl Mendelson

Page Last Updated April 21, 2008

Contents Copyright 2001-4 Beloit College

 

Summer 2005 Internships | Annual Programs | Ongoing | Grad School Opportunities |Jobs

SUMMER 2005

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is pleased to team with Unilever Corporation to make extraordinary paid internship opportunities available. These Conservation internships mix public policy (through a full-time position in a Congressional Office in Washington, DC) and environmental practice (in a National Park in the department and site that best fits the selected interns) for a one of a kind professional experience. These positions are only being advertised at a few key colleges and universities nationwide and are open to all undergraduate majors. Applications must be received by October 1st. http://www.thesca.org/pdfs/sca_env_policy_internships.pdf
The Student Conservation Association, Inc.
(603) 543-1700

ANNUAL SUMMER PROGRAMS

Looking for research but don't know where to start? Check out the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site. NSF awards funds for research, which include a stipend for students, and all awards granted are listed at http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm. The Earth Science projects can be found at http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/list_result.cfm?unitid=5050

The Academy of Natural Sciences has a summer REU program, with many different focuses. Check out the details at http://www.acnatsci.org/research/reu.html

Interestered in a seismological research project this summer? Check out the IRIS undergraduate internship program at http://www.iris.edu/about/ENO/internship.htm Or pick up information in Sue's office.

ONGOING

JOURNAL OF YOUNG INVESTIGATORS (JYI) is the Premier Online Journal of Undergraduate Scientific Research and Science Writing. Spring 2003 positions available for undergraduate students are Science Journalists, Feature Editors, Senior Features Editor, Associate Editors, Research Editors, Web and Technical Staff, Chief Technical Officer/Web Master, Public Relations Staff, Director of Public Relations, Graphic Designers, Editor-in-Chief. For more information about available positions, please visit http://www.jyi.org/aboutJYI/helpWanted.html Would you be great for a position not advertised? Inquire with the Director of Public Relations, Joshua Tusin, by e-mailing him at: tusin@jyi.org. The Journal of Young Investigators (JYI, www.jyi.org) is an on-line science journal dedicated to publishing excellent undergraduate research papers and feature-type science articles covering all fields of science. Founded in 1997, JYI's staff members currently represent over 30 different academic institutions and are in 8 countries. JYI has been featured in Nature, EurekAlert!, Chemical Engineering News, The New York Times and The Chronicle on Higher Education. JYI provides an unprecedented opportunity for undergraduate students to work as part of an editorial team dedicated to producing a top-notch scientific journal geared to address their needs. JYI is a great testing ground for students contemplating a career in science writing, and provides undergraduate scientists with an opportunity to experience scientific publishing. Because JYI's undergraduate staff generally leaves the journal after graduating, applications are accepted year-round. For application instructions, go to: http://www.jyi.org/aboutJYI/helpWanted.html For other questions, please direct them to the Director of Public Relations, Joshua Tusin. He can be reached by e-mail at: tusin@jyi.org.

There are opportunities for earth science students and recent graduates to apply for internships and employment with the National Park Service through theGeoscientists-in-the-Parks (GIP) program, or for seasonal positions in the parks through the seasonal employment program. Most careers in the National Park Service begin with volunteer work, internships, or seasonal and temporary employment, and such experience is often helpful in competing for permanent positions. Founded on a consortium of partnerships, the GIP Program helps match students and physical science expertise with park projects and needed services. Park physical and integrated science needs include disturbed lands, paleontology, water resources, shoreline change, cave/karst, volcanology, mineral and petroleum development, and air quality. Projects include inventory and monitoring, site restoration, research, or interpreting cutting-edge discoveries to park staff and the general public. While the duration of projects varies, they usually span 8-12 weeks. Positions are on a volunteer basis and often supply some support or a stipend. Information about GIP opportunities can be found at http://www2.nature.nps.gov/grd/geojob/. The above website also provides information about applying for "seasonal" and "permanent" positions, or go directly to the Office of Personnel Management site at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/. Duties of seasonal employees may include working information desks and visitor centers, providing interpretive walks and talks, and preparing and presenting evening slide programs. The National Park Service accepts seasonal employment applications all year. To apply, log on to www.sep.nps.gov. Parks fill positions from this applicant pool on an as-needed basis.

The American Geological Institue's "Guide to Geoscience Careers and Employers" offers information on careers within geology, internships and employment opportunities, and other related info. http://guide.agiweb.org

Environmental Engineer/Scientist. BT", Inc. is an environmental engineering firm which specializes in consulting services for soil and groundwater investigations, site remediation, waste management, and environmental assessment/compliance services. We are looking for entry level engineers and scientists to help us provide high quality service to our clients. If you are interested in working at a progressive firm with an excellent working atmosphere, please send your resume to: BT", Inc. (Attn: Joanne), 2830 Dairy Drive, Madison, WI 53718-6751. (608) 224-2839 FAX. klove@bt2inc.com

The National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association represents the crushed stone, sand and gravel, or "aggregate" industries. Our over 900 member companies represent 90% of crushed stone and 70% of sand and gravel produced in the United States annually. Recently, the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey described our association as the "largest mining association in the world" due to the volume of product represented. This industry provides careers for a diverse workforce that includes mining, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, chemists, geologists, mining technologists, accountants, sales representatives, business managers and many others. The reason I am contacting you today is to let you know that we would like to help you find a summer position with the aggregates industry. Our summer jobs program provides an opportunity for you to work for one of our member companies during your summer break from school in a position that could possibly lead to a career in our industry. If you are interested in such a position, just email the information listed below to summerjobs@nssga.org. We will then present your information, in whatever format you provide to us, to our member companies in the preferred location you choose to work. The member companies will then contact you to discuss available job opportunities. Please be specific about the location you prefer (ex. Rhode Island; Cumberland County, Pennsylvania; only in Sweetapple, Ohio, etc.), so that we can limit the interaction to positions hat will really be of interest. You may include up to three states in your preferred location. (Ex. Avoid such vague terms as "Eastern US", "anywhere", etc.) Include the following information with your response to this message: Name,Institution, Major, Year of Study, School Address, Home Address, School Telephone Number, Home Telephone Number, email address, preferred location for work. You may also attach a resume. Considering that there are over 900 members of NSSGA located in all U.S. States, Territories and Canadian Provinces, it is likely that we will have a member company in your location of interest. Please call me at the number listed below if you have any questions about the program. Best regards, Steven E. Lenker, P.E. Vice President, Operations NSSGA, 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100 Arlington, Virginia 22201 Direct: 703-526-1075, Fax: 703-525-7782 Email: slenker@nssga.org" When students respond to this message, we at NSSGA will then email the student information (or fax, if the NSSGA members don't have email) to our members in the students preferred employment location. We will transmit the information exactly as the student submits it to us. We also will keep the student's information on a special section of the NSSGA website, so that NSSGA members can have access to it at any time. We will then follow-up with the students who respond to see if they have obtained summer jobs in the industry (through the program or otherwise) and with our member companies to see if they have considered the student applicants. Please let me know how we can best get the message to your students. I would prefer that the message be transmitted through email directly to the students and not by just a notice on a department bulletin board. If you want to transmit the above message to your students, that is fine, or if it is easier for you to have NSSGA transmit the message to student addresses provided by you, that is fine also. This is a Summer Jobs program, but we will obviously be glad to provide a similar service to your graduates who are seeking to begin a career with the aggregates industry. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the program or any of the information in this message. Steven E. Lenker, P.E. Vice President, Operations, NSSGA, 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22201. Direct: 703-526-1075 Fax: 703-525-7782 Email: slenker@nssga.org

The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has established a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers and Graduate Schools, which is designed to link undergraduate students who have research experience with graduate schools interested in recruiting such students (please see http://www.cur.org/UGRegistryselect.html for general information about the Registry). The registry is free of charge to the student. Interested graduate schools contact CUR and pay to gain access to the student's records. These schools can then contact students whose records they are interested in. 100% of the proceeds go directly into our Summer Fellowships program, supporting CUR members and their students for a summer of (CUR-sponsored) research. Students can register themselves at http://www.cur.org/ugreg/register.asp and a follow-up email provides them with a password an instructions on how to complete their records, which is important. Questions? Ask Emily Leary, Membership Coordinator. Council on Undergraduate Research, 734 15th St. NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20005. Phone (202) 783-4810, fax (202) 783-4811.

The Environmental Protection Agency has 10 different regional offices across the nation as well as the Headquarters offices in Washington, DC. There are six divisions: Air, Water, Waste, Policy & Planning, Superfund, and Cross Media. With each division there are various programs designed to carry out the agency mission--to protect public health and to safeguard and improve the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which human life depends. EPA's purpose is to ensure that: --Federal environmental laws are implemented and enforced fairly and effectively; --Environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, international trade, and natural resources; --National efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information; --All parts of society - business, state and local governments, communities, citizens - have full access to information so that they can become full participants in preventing pollution and protecting human health and the environment. They utilize partnerships with state, local agencies and nonprofits to improve water quality for human health and wildlife. More details can be found at our website: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/ Peter Kozelka of the San Francisco office would be happy to talk to interested environmental studies or traditional science (biology, chemistry or geology) students. It is best to email him at kozelka.peter@epa.gov (mailing address: USEPA Region 9, Water Division, 75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105 and phone: (415) 972-3448). Unfortunately, there are no guarantees of compensation, given our restricted budget in the current and anticipated future fiscal years.

GRAD SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Western Washington University is pleased to announce the availability of nine graduate fellowships for Masters students in Biology, Chemistry and Geology. The fellowships are funded by the NSF GK-12 program and provide a generous stipend ($30,000 per year) and tuition. Fellowships will begin July 2005 and will provide one year of funding. GK-12 fellows will likely receive an additional year of support from WWU from research grants and/or teaching assistantships.
For their GK-12 fellowship, students will spend 15 hours per week working with local middle school teachers as they implement reform science curricula. We are looking for students with the potential to be excellent graduate students and who will be able to work well with middle school children and their teachers.
These fellowships are for biology, chemistry and geology graduate students who wish to complete MS research with the science faculty at Western Washington University. Descriptions of the research pursued by WWU faculty are available at departmental websites:
http://www.biol.wwu.edu/biology/
http://www.chem.wwu.edu/dept/wwuchem.html
http://geology.wwu.edu
Application instructions for Western Washington University are at departmental websites. For more information and applications for GK-12 see http://gk12.wwu.edu Further information about the GK-12 fellowships can be obtained from Scott Linneman (scott.linneman@wwu.edu).

 

 

JOBS

WISPRIG, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, will be hiring 120 college graduates this year to work on solutions to the nation's energy problems, protecting national forests, campaign finance reform, clean air, protecting individuals from identity theft, and many other public interest issues. PIRGs are state-based, non-profit groups that work on behalf of the public to protect our environment, protect consumers from being ripped off, and defend both public health and our democratic process. If you would like to find out more about these job opportunities, e-mail Trevor Kaul at WISPIRG_associate@tds.net

As a volcanologist active in graduate education for more than 30 years, I have have struggled with how to give students with professional interests in natural hazards a long term field experience abroad. Now we have started a new program with the US Peace Corps where students can gain an MS degree while doing a two year Peace Corps field assignment in a Central American country with significant geological hazards challenges. The MS degree may be done in Geology, Geological Engineering, Geophysics or Civil Engineering. The hazards specializations may be volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, floods or droughts. This program is expected to recieve official approval in the next few weeks and will be the first and only Peace Corps master's program in geologic natural hazards. Students are being recruited for September 2004. I am hoping that you will help me identify outstanding and committed students to this new program, which is described in detail on the web: http://www.geohazards.mtu.edu. Info from Prof. William Rose, Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI 49931, Phone: (906) 487-2367, email: raman@mtu.edu, website: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman

Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. has a full time opening in our Houston, Texas location for a M.S. or B.S. student graduating in May with an emphasis in Hydrogeology. If you are interested, please send a resume to Dara Himes, HR Manager, at dhimes@pirnie.com. Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. is one of the preeminent consulting firms in the U.S. devoted solely to environmental concerns. They are dedicated to developing innovative problem-solving approaches to environmental issues for our clients, helping to protect human health and preserve and enhance the quality of our earth, water and air. A private, management-owned firm, Pirnie has over 40 offices nationwide, serving governmental and private clients. We promote a challenging, growth-oriented work environment where you have opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge to enhance your career. Malcolm Pirnie is seeking a Geologist or Hydrogeologist in our Houston office to provide support on environmental projects related to groundwater sampling, installation of water supply wells, drilling oversight, soil sampling, hydrogeologic evaluations, and site remedial activities. This position will also be responsible for data compilation, evaluation, and report preparation.
B.S. with a preference for course work/skills in hydrogeology; M.S. preferred. A recent college graduate is preferred; up to three years of experience maximum is acceptable. The ideal person would be able to oversee multiple types of drilling operations. GIS and numerical modeling capabilities a plus. Groundwater modeling and experience in field techniques/knowledge of field equipment a plus. Must be able to travel or do field work 75% of the time. We are looking for an energetic person with strong interpersonal skills. The person must be able to work in a team environment. EOE. Dara Himes, HR Manager - Municipal West/Texas and Red Oak, Malcolm Pirnie, 4646 E Van Buren Street, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85008. Phone: 602.797.4504, Fax: 602.306.1592. www.pirnie.com

Back to Newsletter Index