DOVER, DE — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has introduced a summer internship program aimed at offering accomplished college students and recent graduates the opportunity to work alongside experts in public service and science. The newly launched 12-week pilot program began in early June and employs 17 interns in various roles across the state.
The program spans diverse fields, including environmental science, natural resource management, wildlife biology, data science and statistics, marketing communications, engineering and compliance, and government administration. Interns work in DNREC offices located throughout Delaware’s three counties, gaining hands-on experience through flexible weekly schedules.
“This program has proven to be a career-track opportunity for high-performing college students and recent graduates,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “In addition to providing a foundation for students to gain vital work experience, our vision is to also help address longstanding staff shortages across the Department by attracting interns back after graduation. We launched the program with confidence that it would enable DNREC to arrive at the mutually beneficial intersection of higher education and a rewarding career.”
DNREC partnered with the University of Delaware and Delaware State University to promote the internship opportunities to their students and recent alumni. While these institutions filled the majority of summer positions, the program is open to all college students and recent graduates from any higher education institution, whether in-state or out-of-state.
The internships offer a competitive pay rate of $17 per hour for a full 37.5-hour work week, allowing interns to gain valuable experience in government and public service. Interns are exposed to DNREC’s core mission of protecting, preserving, and enhancing Delaware’s natural resources for current and future generations. The Department’s eight divisions, including Air Quality, Climate, Coastal and Energy, Community Affairs, Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, Waste and Hazardous Substances, Water, and Watershed Stewardship, each hired at least one intern for this program.
Lillian Kuntz, a marine science major at the University of Delaware, is one of the inaugural DNREC interns. “I have gotten a lot out of this internship in terms of networking, field work experience, and data analysis experience – it has been helpful for my career,” Kuntz said. She works with the DNREC Division of Climate Coastal and Energy, collecting data on the Delaware Bay’s horseshoe crab population and engaging in other marine science activities.
Semaj Bungy-Carter, an environmental science major at Delaware State University, found his internship with the Division of Watershed Stewardship aligned with his academic focus. “I have had the opportunity to travel the state inspecting various sites’ stormwater management structures and apply the knowledge I’ve gained in my studies to help combat severe erosion in my home state,” he said. “This has been an excellent experience – for showcasing the type of work environment DNREC provides and the different avenues that I can use my degree in.”
Another intern, Carson McClung, a University of Delaware student majoring in public policy and women and gender studies, joined the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation. “My main responsibilities are to assist the (Americorps) NCCC team with their field days, community events, and working on a geocaching project for the state parks system,” McClung said. “I enjoy going to the parks for fieldwork. This internship is allowing me to gain connections and community service experience, which I feel is extremely important for future endeavors.”
Andrew Mikalajczyk, another University of Delaware student pursuing an engineering degree, works with the Division of Water. “So far, I have been involved in the large systems wastewater program, doing field work checking on the septic system status of mobile home communities, alongside using GIS tools to map the locations of all mobile home communities in Delaware,” he said. “Apart from this, I have also been involved in the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFOs) program, reviewing permit applications, and reaching out to farmers to ensure they have all of the correct information filed with DNREC. I’d highly recommend anyone interested to apply for an internship in the upcoming year.”
The DNREC summer internship program is designed to provide students with broad, hands-on experience, fostering future career paths in public service and environmental sciences.
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