Rhode Island Student Training & Experience for Professional Success (STEPS) Initiative
Are you passionate about fighting climate change, addressing environmental harms, or advancing a cleaner, greener, more sustainable world? Have you wondered whether your studies, skills, and experiences could help you get a job working on these issues? If this describes you, keep reading for a great opportunity this summer to get your foot in the door and explore jobs making a positive impact.
The RI Clean Energy Student Training & Experience for Professional Success (STEPS) Initiative provides PAID internships for students building careers in clean energy & climate solutions!
The STEPS Internship Initiative is a paid 12-week internship program managed by the Office of Energy Resources (OER) and RI Commerce. It is designed to help provide internship opportunities in clean energy careers, ranging across marketing, engineering, research, solar, direct construction, energy efficiency, and more! OER also seeks to develop a diverse talent pipeline within the state’s clean energy workforce and create career pathways for Rhode Island college and clean energy certificate students that lead to greater economic stability. In doing so, OER is interested in ensuring students of color are also exposed to career pathways and opportunities in clean energy.
Browning the Green Space (“BGS”) is a coalition of leaders and organizations powering a just energy transition in the Northeast by creating jobs, building wealth, and reducing the energy burden in Black and Brown communities. BGS is partnered with OER to recruit students for internships with clean energy companies and environmental nonprofits during the summer 2026 cohort of the Rhode Island Clean Energy Internship Program. In addition to their internship, all students participating in a summer internship will also join career development workshops, engage in mentorship circles, and connect with peers at other companies throughout the summer.
These paid positions are funded by OER. To participate in the program, candidates must have completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) college credits and either be:
- Currently attending a Rhode Island community college, four-year college, graduate college, or a recent graduate who is considering career opportunities in clean energy (recent graduates are defined as college students who graduated undergraduate or graduate college with a graduation date of May 2025 through June 2026. Law School students, Ph.D. candidates, or students who have been previously enrolled or matriculated in a Ph.D. program, are not eligible to participate in the Program).
- Or attend a college outside of Rhode Island but are a Rhode Island resident.
For more information on the Rhode Island STEPS Internship Program, visit https://refinternships.commerceri.com/intern/.
If you are interested in learning more, please complete our intake form and upload your resume HERE. If you have any questions, please contact tatiana@browningthegreenspace.org.
BGS is recruiting on behalf of several clean energy companies and nonprofit organizations in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors for paid summer internships focused on:
- Marketing and Communications
- Organizing and Community Engagement
- Data Analysis
- Engineering
- Construction and Energy Assessments