Course Syllabus

NR 2997 Natural Resources Internship

Course Description

This course offers hands-on, field-based experiences in natural resources, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Internships enable students to connect with professionals, enhancing their job prospects post-graduation. They also help students explore various careers within natural resources and refine their interests early in their academic journey.

Internships, which can be paid or voluntary, involve collaboration between the student, a natural resource faculty member, and a workplace supervisor. Students arrange these placements individually. The course is repeatable for up to 6 credits, with a maximum of 3 credits per semester. Each credit requires 45 clock hours of internship experience.

Justification

“An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate them.” (NACE Definition, NACEweb.og)

As such, internships provide students opportunities to explore career options through an engaged setting, they help students apply academic materials and skill to practical work situations, they provide valuable professional experience, and they develop interpersonal skills.

Students who participate in internship opportunities secure work more quickly and are promoted more rapidly than students who do not. Often internships work well as capstone courses. All USHE institutions offer internship opportunities to their students.

Students at Snow can enroll in up to 3 internship credits in an academic semester. No more than 6 credits can count toward the associate’s degree. Duplicate experience for additional credit is not allowed.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Understand and apply classroom material to a professional work situation.
2. Discover the educational and practical experience needed for multiple careers in natural resources.
3. Network with natural resource professionals

Course Content

This will be determined collaboratively by student, faculty mentor, and job supervisor. The internship contract uses a student’s academic and professional interests to serve as the intellectual starting points for developing a semester-long project. Together the student, faculty adviser, and work-site supervisor will design a project that meets the following criteria:
1) Aligns with the student’s academic program,
2) Offers the student an opportunity to significantly expand their current knowledge and skill set; and
3) Aligns with the student’s professional pursuits.

To qualify for an internship, a student must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA); have completed 30 semester hours or have instructor permission; and ideally have completed coursework that relates to the work experience.