Sustainability Outreach Intern (University Housing & Dining)
The Division of Student Affairs Internship Program
The Division of Student Affairs Internship Program allows students to spend a summer handling a special project for the university designed to prepare them for life after graduation. Interns will work 19 hours per week for 10-weeks. These part-time internship positions offer a competitive compensation package that includes an hourly wage and housing assistance. Undergraduate students are eligible to apply. The internship runs from June 1, 2020 to August 7, 2020. The application is due February 16, 2020.
Although internships range in subject matter and skill set, each position is designed to prepare all students for life after graduation. For this reason, each intern will submit various assessments relating to their development in the areas listed in the “What You’ll Learn” section below. These skills, otherwise referred to as the NACE career competencies, have been identified by higher education and corporate recruiting leaders as critical to a student’s career preparation.
Please contact utlei@austin.utexas.edu with questions.
*Undergraduate students must be enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester to be eligible.
The Office
The Office of Residence Life, housed in University Housing and Dining, believes living on campus is about more than sharing a room. It's about building community. These campus residence halls support learning and growth outside the classroom with individual support, special programs and unique learning environments.
The Project
This position will assist in the development and operations of sustainability programs and outreach throughout New Student Orientation.This includes organizing educational opportunities through passive (signage, flyers, etc.) and active (tabling, events, etc) efforts. Although this internship will assist in addressing all areas of sustainability, there will be a particular focus on proper waste sorting and waste diversion.
The Supervisor
Neil Kaufman, Food Sustainability Office, University Housing & Dining
Things You’ll Do
- Develop program outcomes and goals
- Assemble programming materials; serving as spokesperson for campus' sustainability efforts and opportunities
- Develop signage and written materials
- Work in the gardens optional
- Participate in all required Division of Student Affairs Internship Program cohort activities and assessments
What You’ll Learn
All students working in the UHD Sustainability program graduate well ahead of their peers. This is because of their experience working in a field - sustainability - that is very mission-oriented, involves almost every discipline, and requires skills in operations and outreach. Additionally, this internship will serve as a "sandbox" for the intern to test out their skills and ideas in a safe, but very real, environment.
- Oral/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization. The individual has public speaking skills; is able to express ideas to others; and can write/edit memos, letters, and complex technical reports clearly and effectively.
- Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. The individual demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior, acts responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind, and is able to learn from his/her mistakes.
- Teamwork/Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints. The individual is able to work within a team structure, and can negotiate and manage conflict.
Who You Are (Preferred Qualifications)
- Comfortable with public speaking, passion for sustainability